We have had this fabulous 150 -200 year old bonbonne for decades; it was given to us by The Comtesse de Bordelaise. She is a direct descendant of the last French Royalty, King Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine and has direct links with the British Royal Family. Although frail, she still lives on the remains of the Massougnes Estate near Aigre. Once large and famous, the Massougnes estate has diminished considerably in size but over the years we have bought a few bottles of fabulous, historic and rare Massougnes cognacs from the Comtesse. She shared some of their story… Read more
Delighted to have sold our latest bonbonne of 1882 cognac to Hedonism Wines in Mayfair and, with an asking price of £90k, it was snapped up by one of their customers within 24 hours. Presented in a traditional wicker basket, the bonbonne contains 10 litres of Hermitage 1882 Grande Champagne Cognac. The cognac would have been made in 300-litre stills and, although small, these were probably the only size that most producers could afford at the time. It would have been aged in bariques of around 250 litres, for more than 70 years. No reduction has taken place and so it… Read more
A very exciting Christmas present for someone perhaps? This 8 litre bonbonne of Hermitage 1889 Paradis Cognac was sold last week, the asking price was £68,300. A one-off presentation of this superb 1889 cognac is a very rare offering by Hermitage Cognacs and was snapped up at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair. It was distilled in the late nineteenth century (1889) when Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris opened with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch. At 300m high it retained the record for the tallest man-made structure for 41 years. The cognac comes from the southeast part of… Read more
Cognac: A Timeless and Lucrative Asset Cognac is one of the world’s most prestigious spirits, It is the King of all spirits, renowned for its exceptional quality, rich heritage, and meticulous and traditional production process. Based in the Charente region of France to the east of Rochefort where the Campanian chalk, named after the Latin original of the word champagne, provides the ideal soil for the cognac grapes to grow. Hermitage Cognacs come from the Premier cru of Cognac known as Grande Champagne The production of cognac is highly regulated, requiring double distillation in Charentais copper pot stills and ageing in… Read more
In a world where whisky prices continue to soar, the true connoisseurs have long known the best-kept secret in fine spirits—Hermitage Cognac. Unlike mass-market blends found on every bar shelf, our single-estate, vintage, and age-stated cognacs embody the rarest and most authentic expressions of the Grande Champagne region. Every bottle tells a story of patience, heritage, and refinement—offering collectors and enthusiasts a spirit that transcends time. Unrivaled Provenance, Exceptional Rarity Hermitage Cognac, don’t mass-produce. They discover, curate, and preserve the most extraordinary cognacs, some dating back over a century. These aren’t just spirits; they are works of art—each drop an… Read more
Paradis cognacs are the rarest and most prestigious offerings in the world of fine spirits, and their value continues to rise as collectors and investors increasingly recognise their potential. The term “Paradis” refers to the oldest and most treasured reserves in a cognac house’s cellar—an area often known as the “paradise” of the distillery. It is here that the finest eaux-de-vie, after decades of slow aging in oak barrels, reach their peak complexity and refinement. As these rare spirits rest in glass demijohns called bonbonnes, they mature slowly, losing their fiery edges and transforming into a smooth, velvety nectar with… Read more
Cognac is not only a fine spirit to savour but also a valuable investment opportunity, particularly when it comes to rare, well-aged vintages. With increasing global demand and limited supply, the value of high-quality, vintage Cognac has been steadily rising, making it a worthwhile asset for collectors and investors alike. Unlike whisky, Cognac is typically aged for longer periods, often maturing in oak barrels for decades. This ageing process, combined with the exclusivity of Single Estate and vintage bottlings, creates a unique and desirable product that can appreciate significantly over time. Investing in vintage Cognac offers both the joy of… Read more
Hermitage Paradis Cognac offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and heritage of one of the finest spirits ever created. Produced from the most treasured reserves, often stored for decades, Paradis refers to the oldest and most prestigious cognac in a house’s cellar. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, Hermitage Paradis represents the pinnacle of Grande Champagne Cognac production, boasting unparalleled quality, depth of flavour, and historical significance. What Makes a Paradis Cognac? Paradis Cognacs are typically drawn from the ‘bonbonnes’, glass demijohns where the oldest and most precious eaux-de-vie are carefully preserved. These spirits, often aged far beyond typical bottlings,… Read more
The term ‘Brandy’ is used to describe a spirit distilled from a fruit. There are three great French brandies, armagnac, cognac and calvados, the largest group being cognac where there are around 700 to 800 producers spread across six crus in the region of France known as the Charente and Charente Maritime. The top cru is known as Grande Champagne, it is from here that Hermitage Cognacs are sourced. Cognacs, once distilled, are aged in oak barrels, those from Grande Champagne mature much slower than those from any other cru, indeed, the very finest cognacs which are aged naturally may… Read more
Provenance There are hundreds of small cognac houses, most sell their young brandies to the big houses, but a few keep their special treasures tucked away for those who appreciate the golden nectar. Hermitage Cognac Limited has, for decades, sourced cognacs from the very finest producers in the Premier Cru of cognac, known as Grande Champagne. Perhaps because of our exposure to many small family creators of fine brandies, we occasionally find cognacs hidden away in family cellars, often referred to as ‘Paradis’. These innermost chambers house small batches of cognac in glass bonbonnes and sometimes contain cognacs that were… Read more
