Review: Camus Cognac, Complete Lineup (2010)
You have certainly never heard of Camus cognac. But what if I were to tell you it was a major worldwide brand, the fifth largest cognac house on the globe — with its major markets Asia and Eastern Europe.
Now Camus is coming to America at last, with retail in 15 states and more to come. Fifth-generation distiller Cyril Camus came to town this week to show off his wares, of which he is justly proud. I sampled them over lunch and again on my own at a later date.
The house style is evident in these spirits — light, fruity, and with minimal oak influence. In fact, Camus never uses new oak barrels to age its brandies, only well-aged ones that have lost a lot of their tannin. The result is more easy-drinking, less harsh cognac than you might be used to, even in the youngest bottlings.
If you’re a brandy lover, seek out a bottle of Camus as soon as you catch it on the shelf.
All spirits are 80 proof.
Camus VS Cognac (2010) is a very light cognac — Cyril says it is traditional to serve it on the rocks, and I’ve tried it both chilled and straight. Very simple, it expresses notes of butterscotch and fresh citrus fruit, with a light body. Smooth, with virtually no bite. An amazing bargain. A- / $25
Camus VSOP Cognac (2010) spends longer in cask, but sticks to the house style almost exactly. This is Camus’s best-selling cognac, equally light in flavor but a touch darker in color. Very similar to the VS, it’s difficult to tell apart, but a touch of wood in the finish gives it a somewhat different character. I think I prefer the VS’s fruitiness at the low end. B+ / $45 [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Camus XO Cognac (2010) moves up the ladder but continues to hang on to the Camus style, with fruit and sweetness up front. A touch more wood here adds balance vs. the VSOP, with the overall refinement of the spirit reaching a solid and sophisticated level. More dried fruit character in the body, but it’s still light enough (and affordable enough) to merit everday sampling. A- / $120 [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Camus XO Borderies Cognac (2010) is the world’s only nonvintage single estate cognac, using grapes exclusively from Camus’s vineyards located in the Borderies growing region in Cognac. The body here is wholly different from the other three cognacs in the portfolio, with a far more intense sweetness, a silky texture, and another step darker in color. Here the fruit takes on an orange peel character, and the finish exudes flowers. The quality here is remarkable for the price. A special cognac indeed. A / $140 [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Camus VSOP Cognac (2010)
$45
In April 1984 I bought the following bottle:
Cognac Camus Napoleon 1769 – 1969
Production Limitee
Serie L2 0780
Can you give the history of this production and estimated market value?
Rune:
These questions are hard to answer. Typically even the cognac-expert team is not able to answer so we started a section called “Your Bottle” where we ask our readers (and there are some traders and collectors) to give feedback or write suggestions. The section can be found here:
http://blog.cognac-expert.com/category/rare-bottle-price-worth-information/
Camus is a special Cognac house. Their products range from special cognac blends to wine, champagne and coffee and they are quite innovative. I guess they try to target the younger drinkers but we don’t know ;-)
A full list of products can be found also here: http://www.cognac-expert.com/cognac-brands/camus-cognac
I just picked up a bottle of the VS. It’s extremely pleasant, exactly what I was hoping for.
I have a bottle of Camus XO from 1984. I realize once the bottling takes place there is no more aging however this old bottle seems to be in a league far and above the XO products today. Is there a difference since 1984?
I have had a bottle of VSOP Campus Cognoc standing in a cupboard since 1988, is it still good to drink. It was a forgotton birthday presend.
It should be fine.
I tried camus cognac on March 2016 and enjoy it smooth and tasty
I discovered Camus about a year ago in an online shop in California. Very good and reasonably priced. In a blind tasting, I doubt I could tell the VSOPs apart between Camus and Hardys. The Borderies is the one that really shines though. Lighter than the VSOP and completely delicious. If you’re feeling particularly rebellious, it makes a wonderful Stinger too.