The December Edition of The Observer Food Monthly was published yesterday. To be honest the main subject covered, The Future of Food in its many aspects, did not excite me much. On the other hand they offer tasting notes on Brandy (should I say Cognac) and Rum by Kevin Armstrong and Michael Butt that are short and to the point.

All retail prices are in British Pounds so more or less multiply by 2 to get the cost in US Dollars.
Out of their Cognac List, one I need to try is 'Domaine de la Grolette Borderies Cru Cognac Très Vieille Réserve' of which they say 'This epitomizes cognac for us. An inferno in the mouth.'

The Oddbins Product Notes in more subdued tones describes Borderies as 'The smallest of the Cognac Crus, Borderies,this distinctive terroir leads to Cognacs that are noticeably soft once aged and have an edge of violets on the nose'.

On the Rum Side, they offer a scathing review of the Calico Jack dark rum from Guyana described as 'This has a gummy, adhesive smell. Thin, cheap and nasty.'

I hope this helps you find a couple of gems and away from headaches.