Ville Ancienne

It is rare to find cognacs from the Fins Bois in the Hermitage range but this one is special. Aged for more than 40 years in old cellars, this cognac has a complexity of flavours which include biscuits, butter, honey, cinnamon, marmalade and rich fruit cake to finish.

Two 20cl bottles of the very best vintage Grande Champagne cognacs to savour. The Hermitage 1957 was distilled more than 60 years ago and the Hermitage 1917 Limited Edition, just over 100 years ago. Now, how often do you get to sample such rare and fine nectars together? What a treat!

One can easily forget that Petite Champagne cognacs can be as fine as those from the top cru Grande Champagne. The 1969 has aromas of straw, papaya and honey whilst the palate excels with pear, nutmeg, ginger, banana and saffron. This is an unusually fine, balanced and well aged cognac from the heart of Petite Champagne.

Did you know?  In 1969 Neil Armstrong, aboard the Apollo 11 mission, became the first man to step foot on the moon with those immortal words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

The mid 1960s produced some excellent cognacs from Petite Champagne and this one is no exception. This is a lighter style cognac exhibiting many flavours which develop slowly but last well on the palate.

Cognac Masters 2017 - Gold Award

A little piece of Hermitage bliss, this complex cognac has many charming and attractive qualities. Mature, yet youthful and light, there are flavours of wild cherry, mangosteen, toast, muscat, dried fig, allspice and even a hint of turmeric on the tail.

A beautifully complex, fine cognac from the southern part of Grande Champagne.  An initial burst of dark chocolate on the palate is followed by a host of different flavours including pork crackle, liquorice, marzipan, turmeric and kumquat.  An astonishingly good cognac.

Cognac Masters 2018 - Gold Medal

Borderies is the smallest cru of Cognac but produces some of the nicest flavours, especially amongst the older cognacs from the region. This has flavours of cashew nuts, raisins, medlars and cinnamon and there is a good rancio from more than 40 years of barrel ageing.

A superb cognac from the western end of the top cru, Grande Champagne. It has a delightful initial aroma of ginger, sweet spices, linden and white truffle and exceptional flavours of roasted almonds, truffle, porcini and macadamia nuts. There is a long but balanced grapefruit peel finish

Grande Champagne cognacs age very slowly and this one, distilled in 1956, has reached its optimum maturity. An initial blast of sunflower honey is followed by mangosteen, almonds and kumquats and a tail of mandarin peel. Beautifully balanced with a long finish it is certainly a cognac to savour.

IWSC 2019 - Gold Outstanding Award

"Classically good old Cognac. Rancio to the fore, with a quite wonderful palate." Judges' comments

This cognac is quite light in colour for one that has aged for more than 50 years. The wide range of flavours include allspice, white truffle, plum crumble and the peel of blood oranges. Exceptionally fine and well balanced, this cognac is a real joy to taste.

IWSC 2018 - Gold Outstanding Award

"On the palate this cognac is extremely rich and concentrated. Perfectly balanced." Judges' comments

This cognac has been in wood for more than half a century. It is remarkable, rich and complex and has developed a wonderful rich rancio lasting on the palate for a very long time.