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ITV West Country, The Sun, The Daily Express Coverage

SunWExpresshat a week it has been!  Our recent award of Brandy Producer of the Year 2021 has created quite a media frenzy.  We have been featured in The Sun, The Daily Express and The Wiltshire Times newspapers.  Links to some of the articles follow:

Bradford-on-Avon brandy producer beats the French masters

Brit Beats French to produce world’s best cognac

David has also been heard on BBC Radio Wiltshire.  The whole programme can be heard here, although you need to go to 2 hours and 42 minutes to hear the interview.

And to top it all ITV West Country featured us on their news programmes.  The clip can be seen on ITV catch up.

Bunch & Bushel Gets Noticed In The Press

Bunch & Bushel

Having launched Bunch & Bushel, the new trade arm of our company, just about a month ago we are delighted that it has created so much interest already.

We’re featured in Harpers, you can follow the link here.

And in Drinks Retailing News, who have been championing the off trade for over 150 years, you can read all about it here.

Pour & Sip Club Feature Mosgaard Whisky

The Pour & Sip whisky subscription club delivers five whisky tasters straight to your door each month, hand-picked by experts. In October they featured one of our Mosgaard whiskies, the Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish.  Originating in Denmark, it is also 100% organic.  You can watch the tasting as well as listen to the distiller, Jes Mosgaard, on the Pour & Sip YouTube channel here:

 

Announcing The Brandy Producer of the Year 2021 …..

Brandy Producer of the YearHermitage Cognacs

Thrilling to hear the International Wine & Spirits Competition announce their Brandy Producer of the Year 2021 this morning ….. “and the winner is Hermitage Cognacs”.  The ceremony can be watched here on  Instagram or on Facebook.

What an amazing accolade especially as we are the first ever British-based cognac house to receive the award.

Our cognacs had amazing success at the IWSC this year:

GOLD OUTSTANDING Medal and The Cognac Trophy was awarded to:

Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac

And GOLD Medals were awarded to:

Hermitage 1952 Grande Champagne Cognac

Hermitage 1955 Grande Champagne Cognac

Hermitage Paradis 1890 Grande Champagne Cognac

This haul of medals has culminated in Hermitage Cognacs now winning The Brandy Producer of the Year 2021 which of course recognises the whole Hermitage Cognac range.

Introducing Montanaro Grappas & Vermouths

Montanaro Distillery is one of the finest producers of distillates in the world.  Its Italian founder, alembic master Francesco Trussoni, created Grappa di Barolo, the first single grape Grappa in history.  Since their inception in 1885, Montanaro have concentrated on working with the best wine makers in Piedmont, with a focus on Barolo. They produce grappas with outstanding varietal characteristics as well as a range of exceptional vermouths and apertivos. The Barbera is unaged, the Moscato and Barolo have spent some time in cask, the Barolo Cannubi is extensively cask aged.

grappas & vermouths

Grappa Di Moscato is made from pure Moscato grape marcs with a bold and intense aroma. Aged in oak for up to 2 years, the pale straw coloured liquid combines smoothness and aromaticity on the palate with a long finish.

Grappa Barolo Cannubi is distilled from grape marcs of Nebbiolo da Barolo from the famous Cannubi cru.  It has an unmistakable intensity on the nose and cleanliness and elegance in the mouth.  Aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 4-5 years, it has a golden yellow colour typical of wood-aged distillates.

grappas & vermouths

Vermouth Rosso  Created from the original Montanaro recipe that adds fine Marsala to the base wine to give a distinct flavour, aroma and amber-brown colour. The use of a natural caramel colourant, (instead of synthetic caramel) gives Red vermouth it’s distinct, rich appearance. Its unique flavours makes this an irresistible drink; it is a palate cleanser and is perfect in mixology. The natural caramel adds a note of sweetness and makes it velvety and round on the palate.

Apertivo 6pm A secret recipe created by Montanaro based on plant extracts such as red apple, radish, cherry, sweet potato and carrots to guarantee a natural colour. The delightful aroma and unique flavour result from the use of citrus and herb essence. It is a light and refreshing aperitif which can also be drunk on the rocks, as a spritzer, with orange juice or mixed with prosecco. And, as the name suggests, it is the ideal way to relax after work at 6pm!

Explore our full list of Montanaro products on the website.

Introducing Bunch & Bushel, our new Trade arm

Bunch & BushelOver a quarter of a century ago we started selling individually selected, pure, single estate cognacs from the premier crus under the name Hermitage.  The brand now has a loyal following and our award-winning range expands year on year.  Our trade customers were so delighted with the exceptional quality and value for money we brought to the marketplace, they asked us to broaden our offering.  And so, we bring you Bunch & Bushel.  The trade arm of our company which seeks to bring you a portfolio of exceptional products sourced from less well-known producers.  These independent, family producers use processes that were honed over generations and the results are spectacular.  Their products all have a story to tell and a flavour to match.

We hope you will enjoy exploring the beautifully crafted nectars that the very finest artisan producers of Europe can provide.

Whisky Collectors Enticed By Luxury Cognac

whiskyThe Spirits Business has once again been looking at the astronomical prices of aged whisky compared to cognac and their research tells them that the Collectors market is looking further afield.  Jonny Fowle of Sotheby’s commented “… it does seem like there is room for vintage, aged spirits like Cognac to find favour with people who are maybe unhappy with the price of Scotch whisky.”

“Interest in Cognac is definitely growing,” says Isabel Graham-Yooll, auction director at Whisky.Auction. “In the secondary market and the auction market, people are becoming more educated.”

In the Ultra-Premium Segment, there is much innovation being carried out at the top end of the cognac market, says David Baker, managing director of Hermitage Cognacs.  He believes sprits produced by masters of their craft in creative ways can become some of the best examples available in the category.

“We’ve got an 1885 at the moment, and that is probably the finest Cognac I’ve ever tasted, it is just out of this world,” he says.  Read the full article here:

How luxury Cognac is attracting whisky collectors – The Spirits Business

Organic Whisky & Gin Arrives

organicWe are really excited to announce the arrival of Mosgaard Organic Whisky and Gin in a range of flavours.  The distillery is located at an old farm on the southeastern coastline of the Island of Funen – the “fruit orchard” of Denmark.  All products from the distillery are organic and Mosgaard operate a zero waste policy.

The Mosgaard distillery was established in 2015 by Gitte and Jes Mosgaard.  The South Funen area is known for its quality ingredients and there is a great network of people facing the same challenges.  Mosgaard has a modern interpretation of traditional gin with sweetness, softness, and lots of fruity notes.  The local water is rich in minerals which gives a distinct soft taste. All products from the distillery are organic to ensure a clean and crisp taste. They are proud of their sustainability record too.  All remains from the primary production are reused as animal food.  Their gin is distilled on a hybrid steam infusion kettle with a mix of organic juniper, botanicals and fresh citrus fruits.  During distillation, alcohol hits the vapours and gently extracts flavouring and aromatics that add to the sweetness of wheat alcohol.

Whiskies matured in sherry and port casks and gins flavoured with tangerine, apple or aged in oak casks are just some of the delights we have to share with you.  And the timing is perfect too, September is Organic Month!

Hermitage 2010 GC Cognac Replaces 2005 Vintage

2010“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 still in cask, ensuring that its flavours continue to mature ….. initial mocha on the palate leads to toffee and spices such as mace with apricot and mandarin on the finish.  We always like to see a Grande Champagne Cognac aged for a minimum of 10 years, as cognacs from this cru take longer to mature than those from other crus; the 2010 is already in its eleventh year.  Retailing at under £70, its the perfect summer treat and if you’ve not owned a vintage cognac before, this is the perfect excuse to try one!