October always denotes the start of the apple harvest which, for us, means Calvados.  A French brandy made from apples, Calvados can only be made in a specified area of Normandy.  One of our favourite suppliers, Toutain, have their orchards in the top cru, Pays d’Auge.  The ‘cidre’ they produce is then distilled on column stills to enhance the fruity flavours.  This year we have extended our range of Toutain Calvados to include: Toutain Reserve 3 Year Old – Fresh with a strong palate, full of taste. A lingering flavour of cooked apples. Toutain XO 8 Year Old – Smooth, a mix… Read more

Our whole range of products from Montanaro, including grappas, vermouths and bitters, has been exceptionally well received by our customers. In fact, it was they that asked us to expand our offering of grappas to include the Montanaro Grappa Di Arneis. So, here it is! Marked by the floral and herbaceous fragrance, typical of the original vine of the Arneis grape, it is a wonderful Montanaro Grappa which explodes in the mouth with the very first sip and is so easy to drink. Montanaro is one of the oldest distilleries in Langa established by Master of the Still, Francesco Trussoni… Read more

We have a very special treat for the calvados lover ….. a magnum of 8 Year Old from the top cru. Calvados is usually sold in 70 cl bottles but this one is 150 cl and perfect for a gathering or celebration. This Toutain magnum of calvados comes in a traditionally shaped bottle and really does look the part. It would certainly be a talking point for its rarity, presence and wonderful flavour. The Toutain family has been developing calvados in Normandy for 5 generations, while respecting family customs and ancestral traditions that give big names to small houses. It… Read more

We are delighted to announce that we have a new Hermitage 60 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac on our shelves. It is the third cognac of this ageing to have made it into the Hermitage range. The previous two were great successes and all the stock available sold out. It has not been easy finding a suitable 60 Year Old Cognac replacement, though. David rejected many before finding this superb example of a top cru cognac, aged to perfection in oak barrels, for at least 60 years. Its long ageing in wood has given such a depth of flavour and… Read more

Hermitage Cognac Marie Louise is a Grande Champagne cognac from one of the region’s top artisan producers. Still in cask, it is now a magnificent 70 years old. Some of the finest cognacs ever made were produced in the early twentieth century as, by this time, knowledge of distillation and the ageing process had been significantly refined. Cognac Marie Louise is one of the few remaining cognacs produced during this period. It is from the top cru, Grande Champagne and has matured for more than 70 years in oak casks. This truly great cognac is named after Marie Louise, the… Read more

~ With the increased focus on the labelling of foodstuffs correctly, and in detail, we do get asked about the content of cognac, including allergens.  To ensure we have accurate information for our customers, we put the question to the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac), Cognac’s governing body, and this is what they told us: Cognac is made exclusively by the distillation  of wines, produced in a limited area, from specific grape varieties.  After distillation, Cognac is aged in oak barrels.  Based on this production process, cognac does not contain any of the allergenic substances or products listed in European Regulations. Subsequent to… Read more

Gin & Tonic has been around since the days of The Raj and nowadays is often drunk as a precursor to dinner.  But tonic goes well with a number of spirits so this summer is a good time to try something different.  How about a simple cognac & tonic?  It is such a delicious, refreshing libation to enjoy. ~ Cognac & Tonic Mix three parts tonic water with one part cognac. Serve over ice in a red wine glass with a slice of lemon. ~ And if that is to your liking, you can always replace the cognac with calvados to make Calvados & Tonic. This month… Read more

Henry Jeffrey’s latest article in Club Oenologique hails armagnac as a growing market gaining much attention from whisky and bourbon drinkers.  Not only because of its wonderful flavours and availability but also because it is such excellent value for money.  David Baker, our MD, is quoted, once or twice, referring to the unbelievable price increases seen in whisky in recent years.  “Whisky prices have become ridiculous” he said, whilst amazed that people will pay ten or even a hundred times what they would pay for a fine cognac or armagnac for whiskies that are “just not that spectacular”.  Armagnac value can no longer be ignored…. Read more

What a wonderful surprise this bespoke cognac was for a lucky eighteen year old!  Over two hundred bottles of the very best cognac from the top cru, Grande Champagne, distilled in their year of birth. A bespoke order which we sourced on one of our many visits to the Cognac region. It is not always possible to find a specific vintage of sufficient quality to bottle under our name, Hermitage, but on this occasion we were lucky. ~ We are always happy to consider individual requests such as this one as searching for quality cognacs is our mission.  We can… Read more

The Evening Standard has been reviewing much of the golden nectar recently.  In Nicky Rampley-Clarke’s article ‘Best Digestifs To Sip On Post Dinner’ he includes: Hermitage 1995 Grande Champagne Cognac ‘A bottle to bring out for special occasions – and, indeed, the guests you really, really like – the Hermitage 1995 Grande Champagne Cognac is remarkably mature with flavours of butterscotch, walnuts, biscuits, baked apple peel, mandarin peel and damson. Rich and complex, this is an investment digestif.’ In another of his articles, ‘Best Armagnacs to Buy in 2023’ Nicky describes armagnac as ‘a distinctive type of brandy that’s made from grapes.  Produced… Read more