1882 Cognac Bonbonne Sells for £90,000
Delighted to have sold our latest bonbonne of 1882 cognac to Hedonism Wines in Mayfair and, with an asking price of £90k, it was snapped up by one of their customers within 24 hours. Presented in a traditional wicker basket, the bonbonne contains 10 litres of Hermitage 1882 Grande Champagne Cognac.
The cognac would have been made in 300-litre stills and, although small, these were probably the only size that most producers could afford at the time. It would have been aged in bariques of around 250 litres, for more than 70 years. No reduction has taken place and so it is presented at its natural strength of 41% abv. The tannins from the wood have given this cognac deep and rich flavours of demerara sugar, plums and sweet orange peel with a delicious long rancio, the much favoured richness, so highly desirable in these fine old cognacs.
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Distilled in the late nineteenth century, 1882, this was the year when the first stone was laid for Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona and major European powers signed the first Geneva Convention, ratified by the US, who also legitimised the International Red Cross.
It is that time of year again when we have to review our prices. In line with so many other price increases that we are experiencing in our lives, the cost of brandy production has increased dramatically too. Additionally, the government is raising the rate of duty per litre of alcohol to £31.64 on 1st August.
s’ is the French word for ‘paradise’ and in the cognac industry it is used to describe a designated area in the innermost recess of the cellar. Not every cognac house has a ‘Paradis’ but those that exist are steeped in history. Many cognac families select a few of their finest cognacs for storage in the Paradis. The point when a cognac has gained all the benefit it can from the wood depends on many factors but ultimately, it is when the cellar master decides that it has reached its optimum quality. At this stage the cognac is put into glass bonbonnes and sealed so that the generations of gentle maturation in the barrel are preserved. A cognac that has lasted in oak without deterioration for perhaps 60, 70, 80 or even 90 years is going to be good, very good and will have developed the much sought after 
amed our pre-1900 Hermitage Cognac range ‘
It’s that time of year again when fathers everywhere bask in the limelight for one special day. Father’s Day 2023 falls on Sunday 18th June so what will you be buying to say “thank you” to that very important member of your family?
The inaugural edition of The GSMC Yearbook highlights the incredible people behind the brands that won Master Medals in 2022’s Global Spirits Masters Competitions. The Editor, Melita Kiely, explains why these blind-tasting competitions are so important:
We 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!
A 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.
May 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 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.