Category: Brandy Bottle Reviews

We have recently added two new, exciting releases to our Hermitage Cognac stable, both distilled over 50 years ago. The 1975 comes from the region near St Preuil, in central Grande Champagne. An enchanting cognac, it has flavours of clove, turmeric and blackberry complemented by thyme, rosemary, pork crackle with white truffle and kumquats on the tail. Less than a barrel of this fine, rare cognac exists. The 1972 vintage comes from Petite Champagne where it has been mellowing in its oak cask for almost 40 years and although its strength is 45% abv, it has a sublime balance. Petite Champagne… Read more

It is always good to receive new products for our customers and this week we have three new vintage armagnacs to introduce. Castarede is one of our favourite suppliers of Bas Armagnac, they are also one of the oldest producers of armagnac in Gascony.  Here, the vines grow on poor and acidic clay loam soils with pockets of iron elements that colour it reddish brown. This area produces light, fruity, delicate and highly reputed eaux de vie, from which the armagnacs are distilled.  The latest 1985 and 1972 vintages, distilled 35 and 50 years ago respectively, have these qualities in abundance and for those… Read more

Thanks to Robin Goldsmith, freelance drinks writer at The Write Taste, for reviewing our Hermitage Cognacs as “deliciously decadent vintage Cognacs”.  The cognacs that Robin tasted are three of which we are particularly proud: Hermitage 2008 Grande Champagne Cognac.  A very, very special and extraordinary find. This 2008 Cognac is just 10 years old, single-barrel, single-estate and very expensive, but it is one in a million. Smooth and perfectly balanced, it’s rich, spicy and full of intrigue. There are less than 200 bottles available so it won’t last – it is too good to last. Don’t do anything other than just drink it, you… Read more

Our Hermitage 60 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac has always been popular, not just for its stunning flavours, but because it it the perfect gift for those born in 1962 or with a 60th anniversary this year. We are therefore very excited that we have a new 60 Year Old to share with you. Coming from the region around Juillac le Coq, it is beautifully balanced and has flavours of clove, liquorice, roasted chestnuts, cocoa and nutmeg. We also supply it in a Gift Set comprising a 20 cl bottle and a Hermitage Cognac tulip-shaped tasting glass. And if 60… Read more

“All good things must come to an end” is a much used axiom which certainly applies to our Hermitage 2005 Vintage.  What a huge success it has been over the past few years!   A Gold Award winner at the Cognac Masters, its popularity went from strength to strength but of course the stocks depleted accordingly.  Our entry level vintages from the Chez Richon region have all been great successes – 1999, 2000 & 2005 – and we feel sure the new 2010 will be just as sought after. Distilled at the turn of the last decade, this recent arrival is… Read more

We are very pleased to announce a new addition to our stocks: liqueurs and eaux de vie from Nusbaumer, an independent, family-owned artisanal distillery in the heart of the Alsace.  Founded by Jos Nusbaumer in 1947, the distillery is located in Stiege, a small town in the Vosge valleys, to the south-west of Strasbourg.  There are several factors that make Stiege the ideal place to distil fruit spirits; there’s exceptional mountain spring water, an altitude allowing lower distillation pressure leading to richer aromas and a microclimate with significant temperature variations.  All of these factors have a positive impact on fermentation, maceration and aging…. Read more

Following our unprecedented tally of medals at the International Wines and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2021 we are delighted to announce that the Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac has also been awarded the overall Cognac Trophy 2021.  it was the best cognac in the competition with a Gold Outstanding Award and a combined judges’ score of 99 points out of 100. Our MD, who is one of the UK’s leading authorities on the subject, spoke as results were announced. “We work tirelessly to find the very best that the region has to offer, from family growers who have these precious cognacs… Read more

Hot off the press, we are delighted to share with you our results from the International Wines & Spirits Competition – IWSC 2021. A GOLD OUTSTANDING Medal was awarded to: Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac and the judges commented “Like opening an old leather-bound book or antique oak armoire.  Figgy pudding and rich dark chocolate; wonderful rich spices and the bitterness of orange zest come through on the palate. Spicy but gentle and supremely dry.” And GOLD Medals were awarded to: Hermitage 1952 Grande Champagne Cognac  “With heavy, rum-like caramel and treacle aromas, this cognac has a big palate offering flavours of peach… Read more

We are always excited by a new arrival, especially when it is one from the nineteenth century!  Our Hermitage Paradis1890 Grande Champagne Cognac is the fourth addition to our Paradis range and has just taken pride of place on our shelves.  To add some historical context, 1890 was the year that England witnessed the first official County Cricket match when Yorkshire beat Gloucestershire by 8 wickets. This remarkable cognac has spent more than 80 years in its oak cask slowly developing its rich aromas and complex flavours. There are aromas of marmalade, thyme, banana and spices with a rich and lovely complexity… Read more

“There can be few spirits with such an illustrious pedigree and premium connotations as Cognac.”  Following the last International Wine and Spirit’s Competition (IWSC) a list of the world’s six best cognacs was compiled.  How very pleasing it was to read that our Hermitage 2008 Grande Champagne Cognac was listed as one of them.  We have always known that this is a very special cognac.  Relatively youthful for one from the premier cru, it is just 10 years old, single-cask, single-estate and very expensive, but it is also one in a million.  The IWSC described it as “Fresh and powerful with a wealth… Read more