The bouquet features multilayered scents of baked pear/apple pastry, walnut, roasted chestnut and maple. The palate entry is firm, semisweet, oaky, and spicy; the midpalate is well-balanced, sweet, oaky and compellingly baked, with finishing touches of rancio, hard cheese and caramel. Finishes elegantly and lushly, with final parting tastes of pepper and brown sugar. P.P.

Like all Hennessy blends, the age is hard to pin down. I'm told by the brand ambassador that there are 100 eaux-de-vie in the blend, with "an average 25 to 100 years old." In any case, it's fresh and vibrant for its age, deep copper in color, featuring aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied citrus. In the mouth, it's opulent, round and creamy, offering lots of warm citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a touch of walnut and spice on the finish. It's pleasant, no doubt, and it comes in a fancy bottle. But at the price, the liquid itself just doesn't deliver value.