A new project between 2 good friends and professional bon vivants. Bert Bruyneel (Asta Morris) and Pieter Knapen (Malternative Belgium) thought the time was right to start an interprovincial collaboration. A new label under which they will release a few times a year a cognac that will become available to their collective network of bon vivants.

This first selection is a barrel from the Grosperrin cellars. Petite champagne, 56.6%. 263 bottles. Bottled 03/2022. What to expect? A cognac at its best in its maturation process. Balanced by its tropical fruitiness and sweet spiciness. This is the southern sun in your glass, tropical fruit, soft peppers, Génépi liqueur and a very long warm aftertaste. 38 year old petite champagne at its best!

Tasting Notes by Serge Valentin (WhiskyFun.com) 90/100

Some Belgian collaboration between two great little companies. Shouldn't we ask that they ship their new expressions to us twice?

Colour: amber.

Nose: less luscious than the Vallein, but that may be the higher strength. It is also rather more floral, more fragrant than fruity, with some vetiver and ylang-ylang, jasmine, then just buckets of tangerine and blood orange juices. With water: honeysuckle and orange blossom, plus oriental pastries, Turkish delights, baklavas…

Mouth (neat): probably the best ages, around 35 to 40 years. Some peppery and mentholy spices starting to appear here, but we're still extremely far from 'oakiness'. Stewed fruits, tobacco, coffee, marmalade… With water: a slightly grassier cognac, perhaps a notch more on fruit peel.

Finish: a tad more classic than the Vallein – that is to say with rather more raisins.

Comments: as William Cower once said, 'variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavour'. Lovely old cognac, with a superb, albeit tiny rustic side.

Tasting Notes by Ruben Luyten (WhiskyNotes.be) 89/100

Nose: lean and lighter, with minty notes and even some grassy notes up front. Subtle mineral touches. After a while more fruits come out, like pineapple and nectarine. Floral notes (jasmin tea). Not very forthcoming – not showing its true face, if you know what I mean. Appropriate label.

Mouth: this is where the fruits start to show. Really juicy mirabelles, fresh kiwi, hints of bergamot and passion fruits. The minty notes are still there, but never take the lead. Some polished oak, as well as aniseed, grapefruit peels and white pepper.

Finish: long, still showing bright fruits but also verbena, oak spice and a leafy touch.

More straight than expected, and you have to wait until the first sip before the fruits start showing off. High quality as expected, but both have had even better bottlings on their own.