Brandyclassics’ Massougnes 1802 Cognac Re-emerges At Auction
We were delighted to welcome Paddy Shave from Brightwells Auction House to our offices a few weeks ago. He brought with him an imperial half gallon (2.27 litres) bottle of Massougnes 1802 Cognac which had passed through our hands almost thirty years ago. We are fortunate to have acquired a number of these large bottles over the years from the owner of the Massougnes Estate, the Comtesse de la Bourdeliere, Marie-Antoinette Pintaurd des Allees – a direct descendant of Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine. This particular bottle from 1802 in the Napoleonic era, was originally sold by us to the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, where is was on display for many years. Still unopened, it was fascinating to see it turn up for sale once more and although the estimated price of £100,000+ was not reached, it still sold for an impressive £52,000. We have sold one or two of these oversized bottles of Massougnes over the years (vintages range from 1800 to 1812) and still have two for sale on our website. For those who may wish to try before they buy, one of our Massougnes vintages is still being sold by the measure at The Lanesbrough Hotel in London.
The Spirits Business have just announced their top 10 award-winning cognacs and Hermitage appear in the list three times with their 10 Year Old, 1975 and 1972. Spirits Business comments are thus:
Gifts for all the men in your life …
Yet another alcohol related special day occurs this Saturday; it is World Gin Day. According to the website its purpose is:
National Cognac Day on June 4th invites you to enjoy one of the finest alcoholic drinks available. Cognac, which originates from a town of the same name in France, is a type of brandy enjoyed because of its distilled and fine taste. Cognac begins as a white wine that has been produced in one of six designated growing regions. This definition explains the axiom ‘ all cognac is brandy but not all brandy is cognac’. Ironically, the white wine from which cognac starts, is considered by most wine connoisseurs to be entirely undrinkable. But once it has been distilled in an alembic still and aged in oak casks for years, it is absolutely delicious.
The first World Aperitivo Day will be rolled out on a global basis on 26 May 2022, but what exactly is an aperitivo?
World 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.
We are thrilled to announce that the Cognac Masters 2022 results have just been released and it was an exceptional medal haul for 
Another 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 
We have recently added two new, exciting releases to our Hermitage Cognac stable, both distilled over 50 years ago.