Review: On Backyard Firepits and Chabanneau XO Cognac

I made a new French connection with this Camus brand cognac while sharing why he’s so jealous of his friends’ backyards.

This article is really about how jealous I am of my friends who have backyard firepits.

Kudos to two of my groomsmen, Paul and Kris, who have these flame-fostering setups in their outdoor spaces behind the house. Whenever they invite us over to their homes, I know that at some point I will venture into their backyard with a quality spirit or cocktail in hand, and sit near their open flame.

It’s an odd thing, though. I have no desire to go camping and build a fire. I’ll admit that I don’t even care how the fire is built because whoever invented propane deserves one of Bill Russell’s championship rings. It doesn’t even have to be cold outside, I just want that curated blaze somewhere present in the atmosphere.

However, it wasn’t jealousy that pushed me over the top. It was a self-quarantined Saturday evening sip in the backyard with Chabanneau XO Cognac that was the final drop in the bucket.

I mean, look at that Instagram post. The bottle is exquisite. My snifter glass is full. The backyard lights are lit and create a decent ambiance. There’s just something missing…

…a corraled inferno.

So there I sat, with this new cognac I’d never tried before, burning mad that there wasn’t anything burning in my backyard.

And then I sipped the Chabanneau.

Chabanneau XO Cognac is made at Camus, one of the highly respected Cognac houses in France. It is an 80 proof blended cognac, carries a $52 price tag at Total Wine & More. Comparatively, Hennessy VSOP retails for $49.

If you’re unaware or need a reminder of the designations cognacs are given, here’s a quick breakdown. (h/t to Jason Endress)

• VS means “Very Special” and is a blend aged at least two years.

• VSOP means “Very Superior Old Pale” and is a blend where the youngest brandy is at least 4 years old.

• XO means “Extra Old” and is a blend where the youngest brandy is at least 6 years old.

It’s important to understand the age and proof of this cognac to fully appreciate it. You’ll notice that most of your favorite cognacs are 80 proof (D’Usse, Hennessy, and Courvoisier are 80 proof VSOPs) which means that more of the flavor profile is allowed to come forward and allows for a smoother finish. It’s the reason why too much of any cognac will finish you in short order.

However, the aging of the Chabanneau is what helps it stand out. Those blends have been sitting in those Limousin oak casks for at least 72 months, allowing for more character to develop.

The result? I get this oddly awesome mix of raisin bran and pecans on the nose. Once it hits the tongue, I get cooked down apricots and some spice. The finish is dangerous and delicious, with hints of vanilla, dates, and cinnamon spice. The color is light amber in my snifter glass.

I would not recommend putting on ice, but a few drops of water or one small ice cube will suffice in opening this up further.

I challenge all cognac and brandy drinkers to get outside of the names they know. Hennessy, E&J, Remy Martin, and Paul Masson aren’t going anywhere. If you love it, it’ll still be there.

This is $50 well spent. Get this for yourself. This isn’t a gift bottle, this is to be enjoyed selfishly. If someone comes by the house, share it accordingly. This will make them jealous and encourage them to seek it out on their own.

• Appearance: 13/15 points

• Nose: 23/25 Points

• Palate/Taste: 30/35 Points

• Finish: 24/25 points

• Total Score: 90

As an aside. After finishing my first bottle of Chabanneau during isolation, I’ve decided that there’s nothing wrong with investing in one’s happiness.

No matter how benign or foolish it may seem, so long as you can afford it, you should put stock into feeling good about life.

So it came to be that $525 was spent on an exquisite firepit.

What are your thoughts on Chabanneau XO Cognac? Did you enjoy this review? If so, do us a favor and SHARE WITH PRIDE! Help spread the word about this column on Facebook, Twitter or text message, as this aims to be a not-pretentious, informative, entertaining column about whiskey and other spirits of color. If you’re feeling froggy, leave us a clap or a comment! Sip Mightily!