Category: News

We are thrilled to announce that the Cognac Masters 2022 results have just been released and it was an exceptional medal haul for Hermitage. A Master Medal was awarded to all four entrants, providing the best set of results for Hermitage ever.  These latest winners are: Hermitage 10 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Judge’s comments: Candied orange aromas. Really nice texture to this Cognac, hints of spice and rich fruitiness. Very sippable actually, would also be ideal for mixing. Hermitage 25 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Judges’ comments: Superbly expressive nose with rancio, cedar wood and sandalwood, followed by deep dark dried fruits… Read more

Another mention for David Baker and Hermitage Cognacs, including Hermitage 1972, on David Kermode’s podcast, The Drinking Hour.  In Episode 54 David interviews Joel Harrison, IWSC judge and writer, about cognac, how it’s made and the production situation.  About 35 minutes in, Joel refers to our very own David Baker as “the Indiana Jones of Cognac” and of Hermitage Cognacs as being “ridiculously well-priced”.  He goes on to say that “anything that David Baker is bottling is great” and when asked for his favourite cognacs he describes Hermitage as “Brilliant stuff at fantastic value”. Towards the end of the podcast (at… Read more

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

On the 21st of March, we are going to celebrate Vermouth Day.  Created by Giancarlo Mancino, the date corresponds with the beginning of spring, a period of the year where everything is flourishing.  ‘The first flowers bloom, the plants become increasingly green and the scents in the air are so many and so diverse that you want to trap them all inside a bottle.’ Vermouth is an aromatised fortified wine, flavoured with various botanicals (roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices). The modern versions of the beverage were first produced in the mid to late 18th century in Turin, Italy. While… Read more

March is always the perfect time of year to celebrate Mother’s Day – spring is here and there are signs of new life appearing around every corner.  So how do you say thanks to your Mum for all the years of love, kindness and support?  Well this year we have lots of new ideas including gins, vermouths, eaux de vie, grappa and bitters.  And three of them are on offer for this month making them even more attractive: Mosgaard Organic Oak Cask Aged Gin – Cask Gin is based on Mosgaard’s Dry Gin which is distilled and reduced to 60% abv and then aged in old bourbon… Read more

The premium drinks market is seeing a significant rise in demand as the worst effects of the pandemic subside.  The BNIC has just released figures that show a 31% increase in cognac exports by value, equating to an increase of 16% by volume.  These rises also compare favourably to the pre-pandemic demand in 2019.  “This growth reflects a real recovery of cognac, as well as new consumption habits,” the BNIC said.  Sales to the spirit’s largest market, the United States, climbed 11 %, sales to China, its second biggest, leapt 56 % whilst European sales were up 8%.  Cognac sales are also… Read more

The Winter 2021 Club Oenologique Magazine is, we are delighted to say, rather cognac heavy.  Richard Woodward begins with an in depth article entitled ‘Cognac’s Hidden Houses’.  “We all know the big cognac names, if only from our favourite hip-hop tracks.  But, a smattering of smaller boutique producers are quietly making their voices heard – and are well worth seeking out” he says.  Referring to the big brands, Laurent Vallet of Chateau Montifaud says “It would be boring for consumers to only find 5 or 6 types of cognac”.  That sums up the vision here at Hermitage – to sell… Read more