Secret Meeting – Vallein Tercinier V.S.O.P
The Vallein Tercinier V.S.O.P cognac has recently been given a new design. Fortunately, Kirsch Whisky was kind enough to send me a bottle to sample. I opted for a Cognac Summit variation, which turned out to be the perfect choice for such hot days.
For their V.S.O.P cognac, Vallein Tercinier uses Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the Bons Bois, Fins Bois and Petite Champagne regions. The eau de vie is then distilled and aged for seven to ten years in French oak casks made from Limousin and Tronçais wood. In the end, the cognac has an ABV of 40 %.
Quite approachable
The Vallein Tercinier starts with typical cognac flavours reminding me of grapes, caramel and candied violets. The bottling also has a distinct vanilla flavour. Furthermore, additional spices emerge alongside some oak flavours. Overall, the cognac is smooth, but also has some complexity to it.
An easy highball
I came up with the idea for ‘Secret Meeting’ a long time ago. It spent years on my list of recipe ideas. However, when I received the cognac, I knew I had to give it a try. Basically, I just combined cognac and ginger liqueur with a Fizz-style backbone. I added a few dashes of Burlesque Bitters because I thoguht they would work here, too.
0,75 cl Dwersteg Ginger Liqueur
2 Dashes Bittermen’s Burlesque Bitters
1,5 cl Lemon Juice
Top off with Soda Water Shake – strain – chilled Highball glass over large ice cube – top off;
Garnish: Ginger Slice – Mint;
Song: The National – Secret Meeting;
The ‘Secret Meeting’ begins with a blend of ginger, sweet and sour notes. The cognac lingers in the background, making the highball quite refreshing. On top of that, the bitters give the aftertaste a funky spiciness. All of these elements make the drink perfect for summer
