New 20Cl Cognac Gift Presentations
We have just extended our range of Hermitage Cognac 20Cl Gift Presentations. They can be purchase in box sets of two on the website. If you cannot see the combination that you require, just phone or email us. with your preference.
Many of the finest and rarest cognacs are hardly ever tasted since the prices are often beyond the reach of many cognac devotees. This new presentation gives more cognac fans the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful old nectars. Ideal for drinking either on ones own, or with friends.
You can choose two 20Cl bottles from the following Hermitage Vintage Cognacs:
1900 1956 1967 50 year old
1914 1957 1987 60 year old
1917 1966 43 year old 70 year old
Some vintages are in very limited supply so don’t miss this amazing opportunity to try some wonderfully aged cognac from years ago.
We read in the papers that Swedish scientists claim to have found proof that adding water to whisky will make it tastier. To be fair to Professor Bjorn Karlsson, who led the research, he does say that the balance will depend on the concentration and taste compounds that are characteristic of each whisky. However, it is also claimed that, similar considerations can be used to optimise the alcohol concentrations of other spirits including gin, rum and brandy. Drinking cognac with water is certainly a topic for discussion.
Whisky is of course different from cognac both in taste and chemically. Cognac can provide thousands of different flavours as it is the result of a wine distillation rather than distillation from grain. However, taste is not the complete sensation as aroma also provides a fuller mind perception which enhances our enjoyment of cognac. It is believed that 50% of the perception of taste comes from the aroma. Sometimes aroma can be blinded by the alcohol content but the addition of water can also dilute the aroma and hence the total enjoyment. Conversely, some cognacs are enhanced by a greater alcohol content. Good examples are our 
We specialise in supplying vintage brandies for special occasions. 
For the last three centuries 
There is no other spirit in the world that can compare with the sophistication, complexity and length of time it takes to produce a bottle of 
We are delighted to announce the addition of yet another 
It has been reported that the vine pest, Phylloxera Vastatrix, now known as Grape Phylloxera, is increasing its foothold in Australia. It has now been found in Victoria and New South Wales and the area infested is growing. The deadly aphid has a complex life cycle, reproducing at an alarming rate and attacking the roots of the vines. In the late nineteenth century, the Phylloxera decimated most of the vines (including 
The Last Drop Distillers, recently bought by Sazerac, has released a limited run of a 1947 Hors d’Age Cognac. Distilled just after the end of World War II, just 186 bottles are in existence. Each bottle has been filled by hand, wax sealed and presented in a red leather case along with a 50ml miniature. The bottling also includes a certificate of authenticity, a leather-bound tasting booklet and a custom-made stopper. It is an attractive presentation but before you feel compelled to part with £3,200 for one, check out the competition first. 
Since Great Britain voted to leave the EU, about a year ago, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has had much to say about it. They are concerned that if frictionless borders are not put in place, laborious customs checks will severely delay the importation of wine and 
Much of the news from the Charente recently has been about the severe frosts that occurred at the end of April. The air temperature dropped to between -3 and -4°C on two consecutive mornings, affecting around 70% of the vineyards in the cognac growing region. The frost, which was the worst since 1991, damaged the young shoots emerging from the vines and is thought to have affected 40% of total production. A BNIC spokesman said that in a few cases this year’s grape harvest has been completely wiped out and some growers may find it difficult to recover. To help raise the production level of this depleted grape availability, the BNIC have allowed production levels to rise from 10hl to 12hl of pure spirit per hectare. However, some growers, who concentrate on the high quality of their vines, believe this is far more than their vines can produce. We shall wait and see but one consequence could be an increase in 
Chinese customs officials have recently uncovered more than US$29m of smuggled spirits and here is the story behind the news ….. More than twenty years ago, in our quest to find top quality Grande Champagne cognacs, we stumbled upon a cognac house called Menuet. You may have seen their cognacs on our web site, the