Hermitage Paradis 1883 Grande Champagne Cognac

This Hermitage Paradis 1883 Cognac comes from a tiny village called Corcheville, near Eraville, on the east side of Grande Champagne. The tiny, 3 hectare estate, owned by an M Mallet, grew a mixture of Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes; the latter often provides some peachy flavours to younger cognacs. The cognac was aged in Limousin casks which were almost certainly stored in an old barn.  It would have been damp and with clay floors, ideal for long barrel ageing as the dampness of the barrels helps to prevent the spirit from evaporating.  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.