For a lot of, Cognac is a drink that epitomises luxurious and decadence. The famend French brandy oozes class, sophistication and historical past. From the revered names of the ‘massive 4’ homes to small natural and family-owned producers, the world of Cognac actually gives one thing for everybody. Nevertheless it has additionally lengthy been loved by the wealthy, well-known and celebrated.
Right here we showcase six of the best and most extremely embellished Cognacs available on the market. These outdated, uncommon and costly bottlings are sometimes seen as a standing image and signal of success. Nonetheless, you will have deep pockets to buy them. Very deep in some instances.
What’s Cognac?
Hennessy
Cognac is brandy made within the Cognac area of France, which is situated to the north of Bordeaux. The area is made up of six smaller sub-regions often called crus. The six crus are Bois Ordinaires, Bons Bois, Borderies, Fin Bois, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. A brandy can not carry the Cognac title if it’s not produced, matured and bottled within the area.
The spirit, known as eau-de-vie (‘water of life’), is made by distilling white wine. This dry and acidic wine is created particularly for Cognac manufacturing and relies across the Colombard, Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc varieties. It’s distilled twice by way of conventional copper pot stills and have to be aged in French oak barrels for at least two years. Cognac is barely produced between October and March, following the annual grape harvest.
Camus Cuvée 4.160
The Home of Camus is likely one of the most extremely regarded amongst Cognac connoisseurs. 5 generations of the Camus household, starting with Jean-Baptiste Camus in 1863, have produced a few of France’s best brandies. The Cuvée collection sits head and shoulders above the remainder of their very good vary, with this Cuvée 4.160 the sixth bottling within the assortment.
Candy, spicy and fruity with deep savoury notes, the scrumptious mix options eaux-de-vie from 4 completely different vintages between 1973 and 1988. The extraordinary angular glass decanter and two-doored wood presentation casket solely add to the drama.
Purchase now at Cognac Skilled
Hennessy Paradis
Cognac’s largest distiller has among the oldest and rarest shares with over half-a-million barrels of spirit maturing throughout their property. The Paradis is a much-revered Cognac and was first launched in 1979. It’s named after the legendary ‘paradise cellar’, which is claimed to be the right location for maturing outdated Cognacs.
Paradis is believed to include some eaux-de-vie over 100 years outdated and is offered in an iconic violin-shaped decanter designed by Italian designer Ferruccio Laviani.
Purchase now at The Bottle Membership
Courvoisier Initiale Additional
An beautiful and uncommon Cognac that could be a marriage of very outdated eaux-de-vie from the Borderies and Grande Champagne crus. These are stated to be between 30 and 50 years in age.
The Initiale Additional is an Hors d’Age Cognac, which interprets as ‘over the age’. It was created by Patrice Pinet, Courvoisier’s Grasp Blender, and is bottled in a sublime teardrop formed decanter.
The model has been on the forefront of style and design for many years and Initiale Additional reveals nice poise and finesse. Anticipate scrumptious savoury notes of truffle and cedarwood married with fruit cake and meadow flowers.
Purchase now at The Bottle Membership
Hine Triomphe
A chic and complex Cognac from the Home of Hine. Over 50 eaux-de-vie are used for Triomphe, that are stated to be aged between 50 and 60 years and have been matured in bespoke small barrels for additional character. They’re additionally all from the Grande Champagne cru – extensively thought to be the sub-region producing the most effective spirit.
The primary variant of Triomphe appeared in 1888 and was created to have fun the Cognac area’s winegrowers overcoming the phylloxera outbreak. This small, imported parasite decimated vineyards throughout France, wiping out wine and Cognac manufacturing for a number of years.
Purchase now at The Whisky Change
Martell Cohiba
Based in 1715, Martell is considered one of France’s oldest Cognac homes. It was based by an Englishman, one Jean Martell from Jersey. This fabulous expression is a collaboration with Cohiba, the well-known Cuban cigar producer and long-time favorite smoke of former President Fidel Castro.
It was created to be the right accompaniment to a cigar and is full of wealthy, nutty and spicy notes. Dried fruit and chocolate-like traits are additionally evident. When the 2 parts are mixed the Cognac accentuates the cigar smoking expertise and vice versa. Equally good minus the cigar, too.
Purchase now at Cognac Skilled
Rémy Martin Louis XIII
Rémy Martin Louis XIII is extensively thought to be one of many world’s best Cognacs. The mix options eaux-de-vie aged between 40 and 80 years, and solely these from the premier cru of Grande Champagne. Louis XIII was the King of France when Rémy Martin was established by Emile Rémy Martin in 1724.
The recipe was first created in 1874 and has been the head of feat for Rémy Martin’s Cellar Masters ever since. The beautiful decanter is a refined murals with every bottle individually numbered, handcrafted and hand embellished.
Additionally is available in a magnum (1.5 litres) and jeroboam (3 litres), in the event you fancy it.
Purchase now at Grasp Of Malt
