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Category: News

World Aperitivo Day – Thursday 26th May 2022

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World Aperitivo DayThe first World Aperitivo Day will be rolled out on a global basis on 26 May 2022, but what exactly is an aperitivo?

The Italian tradition of Aperitivo dates back over 2000 years, and is a ritual observed across the Peninsula.  Italians know how to relax as the sun goes down and get ready for dinner with friends or family – they sip an aperitivo.  The word comes from the Latin aperire “to open” meaning, in this case, to open the appetite for the meal to come.  It’s a pre-dinner drink, usually low in alcohol and accompanied by small snacks such as olives or nuts.  Federico Gordini, who is rolling out World Aperitivo Day in Milan, says “The Aperitivo is an identifying part of the Italian lifestyle, a ‘way of living’ we are proud to share with the international community.”

Most aperitivo drinks are a special combination of fortified white wine and various herbs and spices which claim to stimulated the appetite.  It is said that claimed that “It’s only Aperitivo if at least 50% of it is made in Italy”.  All are fantastic mixed with soda, or in a slightly sweeter Spritz with sparkling wine or prosecco.

We have a wonderful Montenarro Aperitivo 6pm from Italy for you to try and Thursday is the perfect opportunity.

 

World Whisky Day – Saturday 21 May 2022

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World Whisky DayWorld Whisky Day is an annual, global day of whisky, which invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life.  (In Ireland’s Gaelic language, the word “whiskey” means “water of life.)  Taking place annually on the third Saturday in May, this special occasion is celebrated by whisky lovers worldwide with tastings, events and gatherings.

If you can’t find an event happening near you why not host your own World Whisky Day event?  It’s about making whisky fun for all, not about being exclusive or prescriptive. All you need to participate is a bottle of whisky – whatever variety, however you enjoy it.

Whether you’re a novice whisky drinker, or a seasoned professional passionate about infusing just the right flavours into your brew, you can enjoy World Whisky Day.  It is an historical classic that’s been distilled with care for over 500 years. The beverage of kings and peasants alike for generations, whisky is easily poured between friends and can be the catalyst to make some great memories.

For something really different try our organic Mosgaard whisky range from Denmark ….  you won’t be disappointed.

Hermitage Cognacs toast four Master awards at Global Cognac Masters 2022

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, News from the Brandy Houses and tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Cognac Masters 2022We 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 – raisins, prunes, sultanas – milk choc, vanilla, delicious juicy peach and plump sultana, deep woody spices add wonderful earthy notes, long finish that keeps going.

Hermitage 1975 Grande Champagne Cognac.   Judges’ comments: Very resinous palate, dry tannins, slightly saline. Hint of bitterness, stone fruits.

Hermitage 1972 Petite Champagne Cognac  Judges’ comments: Well-rounded palate- some citrus mid-palate, lifts everything. Nice combo of fruit, sweetness and spice – higher ABV holds well. Complex and well balanced.

The MD, David Baker, said

“We are really thrilled by this unprecedented recognition for our brandies. We work incredibly hard to source the very best cognacs we can find in the region, always from single estates and with age statements attached to them, and this is a tremendous reward for our efforts.  It also demonstrates that it’s possible to have exceptional quality, even in the more modest ranges such as with our 10 year old Grande Champagne (which won Master in the the VSOP – single estate flight).”

Read more about the competition results here:    The Cognac Masters 2022 results – The Spirits Business

Hermitage 1972 on The Drinking Hour

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Hermitage 1972Another 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 49 mins) David Kermode recommends some of the IWSC winners.  Talking about our Hermitage 1972 Petite Champagne Cognac the judges described it as having “a sensationally aromatic nose with a balance of sweetness and acidity noteworthy of its age, integrated wood, spicy concentration and mildly drying tanins on the cigar hungry finish”. And David commented that in a terrible year for wine this would make the perfect 50th present for someone.  Too true!

Listen to the podcast here:

The Drinking Hour: With David Kermode – FoodFM: Episode 54 – Cognac on Apple Podcasts

 

Latest Hermitage Releases

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, News from the Brandy Houses, The Bottle Story and tagged , , , , , ,

HermitageWe 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 cognacs are often lighter than cognacs from their neighbour, Grande Champagne.

This is particularly true in the east of the cru, from where this 1972 originates.

New Vintage Armagnacs – 1949, 1972 & 1985

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New Vintage ArmagnacsIt 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 looking for a 50th birthday gift, you need look no longer!

We also have a rare 1949 vintage produced by Baron de Sigognac, not long after the end of the war, in the year that the NATO Treaty was signed in Washington DC.  This Bas Armagnac is harmonious and elegant on the palate, powerful and well balanced with a long, smooth vanilla finish.

Hermitage Cognacs Review

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Hermitage Cognacs ReviewThanks 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 will never find another cognac like this even at double the price.  IWSC 2020 – Gold Award

Hermitage 1952 Grande Champagne Cognac.  A magnificent cognac from the Premier Cru which has been aged in cellars that are of medium dampness for more than 50 years. It was stored in old oak 250 litre barrels which had a medium toasting. Beautifully balanced, this superb cognac from the 1950s has matured with great finesse and elegance.  IWSC 2021 – Gold Award

Hermitage 50 year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Originally our 45 year old Grande Champagne Cognac, we have watched this remarkable brandy develop in its cask for many years. It is now more than 50 years old and still it grows in maturity, richness and finesse. The flavours of fruit cake, sultanas and porcini will continue to develop in this masterpiece.  IWSC 2021 – The Cognac Trophy & Gold Outstanding Award

New Hermitage 60 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac

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Hermitage 60 Year OldOur 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 years is not the anniversary you are looking for, we also have a 70 Year Old Gift Set and for a very special occasion, one containing a 1900 vintage.

 

Vermouth Day – Monday 21st March

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Vermouth DayOn 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 vermouth was traditionally used for medicinal purposes, it was later served as an apéritif, with fashionable cafés in Turin serving it to guests around the clock. In the late 19th century it also became popular with bartenders as a key ingredient for cocktails, such as the Martini, the Manhattan, the Rob Roy, and the Negroni.

So Vermouth Day is a way to celebrate one of the greatest cocktail ingredients of all time.  There’s no Martini Cocktail without Vermouth, there’s no Negroni without Vermouth and of course, there’s no Vermuttino without Vermouth.   Try our selection from Montanaro of Bianco, Rosso and Extra Dry.

Wonderful Mother’s Day Gifts – Sunday 27th March 2022

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Mother's DayMarch 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 and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for 8-9 months. The whisky and sherry casks add sweetness, vanilla and caramel notes to the citrus and juniper flavours. Enjoy neat with a cup of coffee, spice it up with Ginger Ale and orange zest or use it in a dry martini.

Nusbaumer – 20 Year Old Reserve Poire William Eau de Vie (Pear) – This pear brandy is made from small, red Williams pears that grow on hillsides with excellent sun exposure and natural irrigation. Native to the Hautes-Alpes, this sun-drenched fruit is particularly juicy and fragrant. The brandy has been aged for 20 years and is one of the best we have tasted.  Presented in an antique-style bottle that protects it from the light, it is made in very small batches and the bottle is sealed by hand with wax.

Grape Brandy Jacopo Poli Chiara di Moscato – Jacopo Poli Chiara di Moscato is a single vintage grape brandy from a single variety of grape. It was distilled from the wine made from the White Muscat grapes from the Euganean Hills (Veneto). Distilled in small lots on a ‘bain marie’, it has a sweet flavour with a light touch of citrus fruits.