Cognac
For more than three centuries cognac has been recognised as the finest of all spirits distilled from grapes. It is incomparable in its sheer depth and intensity of flavour, its fruitiness, warmth and complexity and both its richness and subtlety of bouquet. Indeed cognac is the king of all brandies and originates from around the sixteenth century when farmers grew grapes for wines which were shipped along the Charente River in France to the port of La Rochelle, where they were bartered for goods brought in by English, Irish and Dutch traders. Often the weak and acidic wines would become rancid and traders learnt to reduce them by boiling them in pot stills. The strong wines were stored in oak casks which enhanced their flavour and gave them colour, they called them Cognac from around the town of that name in the centre of the Charente region.
Today there are around five thousand producers of the noble spirit, most making it for the big houses such as Hennessey Martell, Courvoisier and Remy Martin who blend them for their generic brands. Many of these old cognac families have been distilling their wines for generations developing the knowledge passed down from their forefathers and perfecting the skills of distillation and ageing. Some of the very oldest cognacs may have lived in their barrels or glass demijohns in cellars for hundreds of years and have today become priceless nectars of increasing rarity and value. Hermitage Cognacs are from individual single estate distillers, all of whom have aged their cognacs naturally and without the addition of additives. They are the very quintessence of purity and luxury. They are the king of all cognacs.
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Cognac Masters 2013 - Gold Award
The predominant house style of Chez Richon shows through in this cognac although it is rather sweeter and spicier than others from this house
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Roasted walnuts and some pineapple, a little pepper with oak and spices
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Different from other cognacs from this estate.The cognac has some quite spicy tones but is also slightly sweeter than the others. The flavour is reminiscent of roasted walnuts, spice and toffee
Excl. VAT: £105.98 Incl. VAT: £127.18Cognac Masters 2013 - Gold Award
The predominant house style of Chez Richon shows through in this cognac although it is rather sweeter and spicier than others from this house
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Roasted walnuts and some pineapple, a little pepper with oak and spices
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Different from other cognacs from this estate.The cognac has some quite spicy tones but is also slightly sweeter than the others. The flavour is reminiscent of roasted walnuts, spice and toffee
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A rare single domaine cognac from the centre of Segonzac with a remarkable story. The house is part of Frapin owned by the Cointreau family. Highly regarded XO cognac.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: More nutty than the Frapin vintages, rich fruits vanilla, oak and tobacco. There is a level of rancio
- Flavour:
- Flavour: This is altogether richer and darker than the Frapin cognacs. It has great depth and balance Roasted walnut and tobacco with vanilla and toffee tones.
Excl. VAT: £106.14 Incl. VAT: £127.37A rare single domaine cognac from the centre of Segonzac with a remarkable story. The house is part of Frapin owned by the Cointreau family. Highly regarded XO cognac.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: More nutty than the Frapin vintages, rich fruits vanilla, oak and tobacco. There is a level of rancio
- Flavour:
- Flavour: This is altogether richer and darker than the Frapin cognacs. It has great depth and balance Roasted walnut and tobacco with vanilla and toffee tones.
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Similar to the 12 year old but more mature with floral and delicate herb aromas. It is well balanced and shows no aggressive qualities common in other Napoleon cognacs.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Some dry spice, floral tones, nut and vanilla, some vine cane
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Some nutty flavours. A hint of coffee and vanilla with a little oak, medium dry flavour.
Excl. VAT: £106.67 Incl. VAT: £128.00Similar to the 12 year old but more mature with floral and delicate herb aromas. It is well balanced and shows no aggressive qualities common in other Napoleon cognacs.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Some dry spice, floral tones, nut and vanilla, some vine cane
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Some nutty flavours. A hint of coffee and vanilla with a little oak, medium dry flavour.
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This is a very light and pleasant cognac from a top house. The firm is in a valley close to Ambleville in the central/southern region of Grande Champagne. They have damp cellars allowing the cognacs to mature slowly and as with other cognacs from this house, their presentation is always good.Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Light floral and delicate citrusy aromas with a hint of honey
- Flavour:
- Flavour: There are some delicate spice flavours but there are many flavours of fig, honey and dried fruit. The balance is good and the cognac is a delight to behold
Excl. VAT: £108.52 Incl. VAT: £130.22This is a very light and pleasant cognac from a top house. The firm is in a valley close to Ambleville in the central/southern region of Grande Champagne. They have damp cellars allowing the cognacs to mature slowly and as with other cognacs from this house, their presentation is always good.Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Light floral and delicate citrusy aromas with a hint of honey
- Flavour:
- Flavour: There are some delicate spice flavours but there are many flavours of fig, honey and dried fruit. The balance is good and the cognac is a delight to behold
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Dark and quite rich. This cognac is produced in a tiny estate near Juillac-le-Coq. There are some chocolate tones and a prevailing sweetness to the cognac.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Vanilla, coffee, walnuts and butterscotch
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Rich and nutty flavour with hints of toffee and butterscotch. It is a deep and intense flavour and ideal for cigar smokers since it reaches the back of mouth.
Excl. VAT: £110.32 Incl. VAT: £132.38Dark and quite rich. This cognac is produced in a tiny estate near Juillac-le-Coq. There are some chocolate tones and a prevailing sweetness to the cognac.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Vanilla, coffee, walnuts and butterscotch
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Rich and nutty flavour with hints of toffee and butterscotch. It is a deep and intense flavour and ideal for cigar smokers since it reaches the back of mouth.
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The family started selling cognacs about 60 years ago and are quite well known as independent sellers. The older cognacs are splendid examples of well aged Grande Champagnes and have rich woody and floral qualities.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Light and very refined. A touch of orange on the nose with hints of caramel and spice.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Rich woody and floral qualities. Sophisticated, with a touch of rancio, a little spice on a caramel finish.
Excl. VAT: £118.32 Incl. VAT: £141.98The family started selling cognacs about 60 years ago and are quite well known as independent sellers. The older cognacs are splendid examples of well aged Grande Champagnes and have rich woody and floral qualities.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Light and very refined. A touch of orange on the nose with hints of caramel and spice.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Rich woody and floral qualities. Sophisticated, with a touch of rancio, a little spice on a caramel finish.
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The house style is very much the traditional style for the cru but the mellowness of the younger cognacs with their citrus and dry nutty aromas. These are connoisseurs cognacs of great style and balance.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Vanilla with some citrus peel notes. There is also some hazel nut, brioche and floral aromas.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Delicate in taste, the flavour is reminiscent of exotic fruits, vanilla and hazel nuts. It has a good length and balance
Excl. VAT: £126.00 Incl. VAT: £151.20The house style is very much the traditional style for the cru but the mellowness of the younger cognacs with their citrus and dry nutty aromas. These are connoisseurs cognacs of great style and balance.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Vanilla with some citrus peel notes. There is also some hazel nut, brioche and floral aromas.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Delicate in taste, the flavour is reminiscent of exotic fruits, vanilla and hazel nuts. It has a good length and balance
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A Limited Edition of this highly popular 35 Year Old Single Estate Cognac with flavours of candied fruit, walnut and cacao. One of the best producers located in the Petite Champagne cru, Bertrand has only produced 1200 of this presentation. The stunning carafe and presentation box will make an extra special gift.
Gold Medal: Beverage Testing Institue 2014, Concours General Agricole de Paris 2012.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Cedar wood, dried fruit and vanilla.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Candied fruit, walnut and cacao.
Excl. VAT: £135.15 Incl. VAT: £162.18A Limited Edition of this highly popular 35 Year Old Single Estate Cognac with flavours of candied fruit, walnut and cacao. One of the best producers located in the Petite Champagne cru, Bertrand has only produced 1200 of this presentation. The stunning carafe and presentation box will make an extra special gift.
Gold Medal: Beverage Testing Institue 2014, Concours General Agricole de Paris 2012.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Cedar wood, dried fruit and vanilla.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Candied fruit, walnut and cacao.
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Only a few bottles of this left. Some of our single estate cognacs have interesting and unusual qualities.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Dry with herbal flavours.
Excl. VAT: £140.63 Incl. VAT: £168.76Only a few bottles of this left. Some of our single estate cognacs have interesting and unusual qualities.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Dry with herbal flavours.
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A vintage version of the VSOP but with more than 30 years maturing providing an enhanced richness and depth. This is a delicious cognac with beautiful soft tones and aromas.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Dried apricot and peaches, although less pronounced than younger cognacs
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Some nutty flavours. The dried peach comes out with vanilla and sandalwood. This is much more complex than others and has some delightful qualities.
Excl. VAT: £149.75 Incl. VAT: £179.70A vintage version of the VSOP but with more than 30 years maturing providing an enhanced richness and depth. This is a delicious cognac with beautiful soft tones and aromas.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: Dried apricot and peaches, although less pronounced than younger cognacs
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Some nutty flavours. The dried peach comes out with vanilla and sandalwood. This is much more complex than others and has some delightful qualities.
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This is a blended cognac which is from some of their oldest stock; eaux de vie that was distilled between 1956 and 1963. Dried apricots and walnuts are on the nose and palate.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: There is an intense richness of this delightful cognac with aromas of dried apricots and almonds.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: The rich flavour of apricots is enhanced by a gentle rancio which leaves a long smooth flavour on the palate.
Excl. VAT: £149.98 Incl. VAT: £179.98This is a blended cognac which is from some of their oldest stock; eaux de vie that was distilled between 1956 and 1963. Dried apricots and walnuts are on the nose and palate.
Learn More- Aroma:
- Aroma: There is an intense richness of this delightful cognac with aromas of dried apricots and almonds.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: The rich flavour of apricots is enhanced by a gentle rancio which leaves a long smooth flavour on the palate.