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The Chancellor announced yesterday an increase in duty on all spirits, taking the level up to £25 a litre of pure alcohol. This equates to £7 a bottle at 40% alc. This means for an average bottle of cognac costing £30, more than £16.50 goes on duty and tax. And don’t forget that Vat is also charged on the total of the spirits value and the duty combined - in effect double taxing the consumer.

Under the new duty increase, Hermitage Cognacs will in future sadly have to cost more, adding nearly one pound to an average bottle of cognac. Brandyclassics still have some stocks of our Hermitage Cognacs available at the old level of duty, so please visit our online store add buy now before prices go up.

Cognac Hermitage 2000 Chez Richon Grande Champagne

Cognac Masters 2009 - Gold Award
Making cognacs suitable for drinking young is exceptionally difficult without the use of caramel and sugar syrup. The 2000 has succeeded where others have failed. Its style is consistent with others from Chez Richon with some pineapple, burnt almonds and mocha, a delight for such youthfulness.

Pineau des Charentes has always been the drink which everybody likes but nobody can ever remember how to buy. Almost without exception, people who taste the rich and fruity drink for the first time are totally hooked on it and swear they will buy more at the first opportunity. So where are the orders? A good question, it seems that having tasted the first bottle potential customers lose contact from where they found out about it and then forget all about it.

This year Brandy Classics are introducing a new Vintage 1995 Pineau des Charentes in 50cl bottles. It is a real find since it was matured in Chateau Y’quem casks  and apart from being totally unique, it is positively delicious. There are of course other Pineau’s from the wonderful Chateau de Beaulon and naturally the 5 y.o. is our top seller in both white and red. The white can be used in the summer cocktail Pineau Royale, Served on ice it is a combination of 50% of each white Pineau and fizzy mineral water, lemon juice and a few shots of cognac, magic for the garden! Other must haves include the fabulous Cassagnoles White Armagnac, an ideal mixer with a strong pruney taste, probably a challenge for all the mixologists in our midst. Whatever the drinks, we have them in stock, awaiting your call for a bit of summer adventure.