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National Cognac Day Sunday 4th June 2023

National Cognac DayWe love to celebrate National Cognac Day!  This year it’s on Sunday 4th June so if you have a bottle you keep for special occasions or fancy trying something new for the first time, this is time to do it!

Cognac, which originates from a town of the same name in France, is a type of brandy, the generic name for spirits that have been made from fruit.  It begins life as a white wine, that has been produced in one of six designated growing regions, and is then distilled in an alembic still and aged in oak casks for years.

Cognac’s production is a science and indeed an art.  If the drink is new to you, here are some handy links to find out more about it:

The other very important factor you need to know is that most cognacs are blended.  This is essential to produce large quantities of a product, that always tastes the same.

But, here at Hermitage we do it differently.  Our cognacs are not blended, they come from Single Estates and each one has unique and identifiable flavours.  So, if you really want to try something new, Hermitage is the place to go.  Each bottle will tell you how many years the cognac has been in the barrel and if it’s a vintage, the year the grapes were harvested.  Enjoy!!

Larsen Cognac Challenges The Stereotype

Larsen CognacA recent article in Trend Hunter explains how Larsen Cognac is challenging the traditional image of cognac with its new campaign. Cognac has traditionally been viewed as a niche product associated with older, affluent individuals. However, in recent years, cognac brands have worked hard to appeal to younger audiences by introducing innovative packaging and partnerships with popular culture and fashion icons.  Their aim is to break down the perception that cognac is only for the elite and make it more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Larsen Cognac is now following that trend by creating a campaign to reinvigorate their brand.  Their new ‘Discover’ concept, has been designed to ‘challenge the idea of who cognac is for and how it can be consumed’. Mika Raukko, representing Larsen Cognac, said “The world is changing and so are the consumers.  They expect brands to be more inclusive, diverse and authentic.  The ‘Discover’ concept stems from the insight that making a new discovery in life makes us grow.  And in order to make new discoveries you need to view the world with fresh eyes and be open to changing perspectives.”

There is no doubt that this resonates well with how people today are seeking new experiences that enrich their lives.  And of course, all cognac brands will benefit from added exposure to a wider, younger audience as cognac becomes more mainstream.  Not all cognac brands are the same so we must applaud Larsen’s call to be adventurous and try new offerings.  We certainly class Hermitage as different from the rest!

Coronation of King Charles III & Bank Holiday Bonanza

CoronationMay is definitely going to be a holiday month with plenty of time to relax and treat ourselves.  Three Bank Holidays and the Coronation of King Charles III gives us all reason to celebrate.

We have lots of lovely ideas for this time of year with vermouthginliqueurspineau and eaux de vie all giving a spring-like feeling.

In addition, the 9th of May is National Moscato Day, a grape you will find in our wonderful grappas, and 20th of May is World Whisky Day, our Mosgaard range is organic and distilled in Denmark.

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For the royal fans amongst you, how about toasting King Charles III with a Hermitage Grande Champagne Cognac from his year of birth, 1948?  We’ve reduced the price this month in honour of His Majesty.  Long live the king!

Hermitage 1914 Cognac – The Ladies Vintage

Ladies VintageWe were fascinated to read an interview with Bénédicte Hardy in ‘Frenchly’.  Bénédicte is the fifth generation to be involved with the House of Hardy cognacs, although much of her time has been spent working in the US.

Entitled ‘Cognac’s return to Grace’, she describes the rich history of cognac and how in recent years, cognac has evolved into a symbol of both ‘rap stardom’ and ‘highbrow mixology’.  Here at Hermitage, it is that history that we aim to bottle and so a summary follows:

In the 17th century, it was English, Irish, and Dutch négociants who really put cognac on the map as they had realised what an amazing resource the river Charente was for shipping their products worldwide.  During the subsequent centuries, cognacs’ fortunes hit highs and lows, but always survived.  The French Phylloxera crisis, for example, was eventually solved by turning to American root stock.  Even two World Wars did not ruin the industry.   During World War I, while men were conscripted, women were left to manage the vineyards and distillation by themselves.  The work of these women became so significant that eaux-de-vie produced in 1914 is now known as part of the Ladies Vintage.  And during World War II, while Nazi soldiers ransacked Champagne for all it was worth, a Cognac local, of German origin, Lieutenant Gustav Klaebisch, took it upon himself to protect the cognac cellars and vineyards from being pillaged.

Hermitage stocks cognac vintages harvested during both World Wars, but we are particularly proud of our Ladies Vintage, produced in 1914.  A Masters Award winner, unsurprisingly, only a few bottles remain.

 

Hermitage Cognacs At Prowine Singapore 25 – 28 April 2023

Prowine SingaporeOur ever popular cognac house, Hermitage is set to expand its trading base to include the Far East.  Already sold in many European countries, as well as to private buyers in the US, it is hoped that Singapore and Malaysia will be its next destinations.  The Hermitage style of luxury cognacs, unblended with rich, unique flavours, ideally suits the Asian markets so we are hoping to find many new loyal customers.  Our initial in-country tasting will take place at Prowine Singapore from 25 – 28 April 2023.  Anyone wishing to visit us will find us in Hall 5 at Booth No. 5C3-07 and registration is free by following this link.  We will have all our best releases on show and available to taste.  The portfolio comprises age statements, vintages and our Paradis range (Pre 1900 Grande Champagne), which is also available in bulk.  If you are in that part of the world at the end of April, do come and see us and if you would like any more information about our products, please email us on cognac@brandyclassics.com.

 

The Montanaro Range On Our Shelves

MontanaroMontanaro is one of the oldest distilleries in Langa established by Master of the Still, Francesco Trussoni in 1885.  He established the first single vineyard Grappa using Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo.  In 1922 Mario Montanaro, together with his wife Angela Trussoni and son Giuseppi, refined the product using the first alembic steam stills.  At the end of 2000 Giuseppe, aged almost eighty and without direct heirs, decided to sell Montanaro Distillery to a group of “Albese “ businessmen. Today Monatanaro, known worldwide as an excellent artisanal and prestigious distillery, does not only produce grappa but vermouth, aperitivo and bitters too.  Take a look at these wonderful products we are now stocking and if you fancy trying something new, visit the home page to see this month’s offers:

Barolo Cannubi: Soft and velvety grappa aged for 4 -5 years

Barolo Chinata: Delicious aromatised wine

Bitter:  Makes the perfect Negroni with vermouth and gin.

 

 

Nineteenth Century Cognacs Join the Hermitage Range

Nineteenth century cognacsWe have had an exciting week adding new products to our shelves all of which are nineteenth century cognacs.  One is in fact a pre-phylloxera cognac and the others were produced at the time when the louse outbreak was sweeping through France.  Two of the cognacs are additions to our Paradis range, and therefore are in extremely limited supply, and the other is a particularly rare bottling from Roullet & Delamain.  Enjoy exploring them:

Hermitage Paradis 1887 Grande Champagne Cognac

Produced by the House of Guiziet, situated just outside Segonzac, on the road to Barbezieux, it stands on the Cognacian chalk slopes where the vines can penetrate up to thirty metres. At the time, the estate was about 7 hectares in size but only produced about 3000 litres of wine from its Folle Blanche grapes.  Once distilled, the ensuing spirit was kept in oak casks for about 75 years before being placed into bonbonnes.  Very long barrel ageing has created a beautifully balanced cognac, together with an intense chocolate brown / deep scarlet colour and depth of flavours.  Did you know?  In 1887, the United Kingdom celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Hermitage Paradis 1883 Grande Champagne Cognac

Originates from a tiny village called Corcheville, near Eraville, on the east side of Grande Champagne. The tiny, 3 hectare estate grew a mixture of Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes and the cognac was aged in Limousin casks which were almost certainly stored in an old barn.   Having aged for a staggering 90 – 100 years, this cognac was removed from the wood and placed into glass bonbonnes.  It is superbly balanced, with an intense dark tan / deep scarlet colour and depth of flavours, and is presented at its cask strength of 41.4% abv.  Did you know?  In 1883, the English cricket team, on a tour of Australia, were first presented with the ashes of a bail.

Roullet & Delamain 1858 Grande Fine Champagne Cognac

The history of the Roullet Сognac House dates back to the eighteenth century when Paul Frédéric Roullet founded the Cognac House in 1772. He managed to enter into a close relationship with the Royal Court and Napoleon Bonaparte was known to become one of the first connoisseurs of the Roullet Cognac House.  At the beginning of the nineteenth century Paul Roullet married the daughter of the Delamain Cognac House founder, the oldest cognac producing family still famous for its drinks’ production. This marriage resulted in the consolidation of the two houses and the company was called Roullet & Delamain for sometime.  Did you know?  In 1858, the Lourdes Apparitions were first reported by Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old miller’s daughter.

 

Rare Paul Beau Cognac In Stock

Paul BeauPaul Beau is a name synonymous with exceptional quality in cognac circles.  The company dates back to the end of the 1800s, when Samuel Beau began to work the vineyards surrounding his Segonzac estate in Grande Champagne.  When he died in 1914, the cognac house passed to his son, Paul, who together with his wife, grew the estate to over 100 hectares in size. They also modernized the buildings and distillery, whilst keeping the traditional alembic stills to ensure the quality of their produce.  In 1977 they decided to sell directly under their own label – and the Paul Beau brand name was created.

Recently, however, there have been major changes at the house of Beau.  The company’s assets have been sold, and the Paul Beau brand of cognac is no more.  Sadly, another independent cognac house that has been sold off.

We are therefore very fortunate to have a few bottles of the fabulous Paul Beau cognac for sale.  If you are a fan, these may be the last few available in the UK:

Paul Beau – La lignée de Samuel Grande Champagne Cognac

This is the oldest cognac ever released by Maison Beau and possibly the last two available to buy in the UK. It is a blend of vintage cognacs from the 1930s and 1950s which have been aged in oak barrels for more than 60 years. A wonderfully complex cognac with a well developed rancio and notes of hazelnuts, dried figs, almonds, and prunes amongst others. A real treat from this highly regarded cognac house.

Paul Beau 45 Year Old Extra Vieilles Borderies Cognac

The last known bottle of this rare and exceptional cognac available in the UK. The Paul Beau family lost their Borderies vineyard in 1964, but retained the eaux-de-vie, so this cognac was aged for 45 years old. Borderies is the smallest cognac cru and produces some amazing nectars. No longer producing cognac, Paul Beau products are becoming increasingly rare and sought-after. Nicholas Faith, in his excellent book “Cognac”, describes it as “The real McCoy, rich fruit and nut, chocolate, very dense and long.”

 

 

Armagnac, The Thinking Woman's Brandy

thinking woman's brandyMarch is a month that celebrates women, with International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day well established in the worldwide calendar.  Jane McQuitty has been writing in The Times about the relationship between women and armagnac.  Not dissimilar to cognac, armagnac is made on a continuous column still and its lower distillation range, of between 52 – 72 % ab, allows a greater fruitiness in the spirit, although sometimes at the expense of refinement.  She heralds the many female armagnac producers including our very good friend Florence Castarede, the sixth generation of her family to produce the very fine Castarede Bas Armagnac.  The article also quotes another friend of ours, Amanda Garnham, who lived and worked in the Armagnac region for decades.  Amanda said that “Armagnac is the thinking woman’s brandy ”.   An interesting analogy that might refer to someone you know!

So, if you are still looking for a Mother’s Day gift, take a look at all the wonderful armagnacs we have to offer.  Many are vintages, labelled with the year they were harvested and come from the top cru, Bas Armagnac.

Mother's Day 2023 – Sunday 19th March

Mother's Day 2023Mothers hold a special part
Of all that’s cherished in one’s heart,
She is one’s pearl, one’s soul, one’s mate;
She is the one to make life great.

Adapted from a poem by Kirsten Rollander

Looking for a special gift for Mother’s Day 2023?  We have lots of ginsbrandieswhiskiesliqueurs and vermouths from which to choose.  And if you fancy something out of the ordinary, do try some Pineau des Charentes.  Made from cognac eau de vie and grape juice it’s fabulous drunk cold as an aperitif or dessert wine.

Take a look at the special offers on our home page, every month we reduce the prices on three of our products so that more of you lovely people can try the wonderful variety that the spirits world has to offer.