Courvoisier VSOP (1L, 40%)

Nose: Whole coffee beans, mint leaves, kumquat and red grape notes appear at first. Give it a minute and more savoury elements appear, with hints of buttered brown bread and a little whiff of sawdust.

Palate: More coffee notes as it opens (this would be really good partner to an espresso after a big meal). Develops touches of brown sugar, waxy apple peels, sweet pea and a fragrant oakiness.

Finish: Ooh, a nice waft of almost-smoky cinnamon on the finish. Slowly becomes sweeter with fresh pear and gummy bears.