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Tag: grande champagne cognac

Hermitage Cognacs At Prowine Singapore 25 – 28 April 2023

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Prowine SingaporeOur ever popular cognac house, Hermitage is set to expand its trading base to include the Far East.  Already sold in many European countries, as well as to private buyers in the US, it is hoped that Singapore and Malaysia will be its next destinations.  The Hermitage style of luxury cognacs, unblended with rich, unique flavours, ideally suits the Asian markets so we are hoping to find many new loyal customers.  Our initial in-country tasting will take place at Prowine Singapore from 25 – 28 April 2023.  Anyone wishing to visit us will find us in Hall 5 at Booth No. 5C3-07 and registration is free by following this link.  We will have all our best releases on show and available to taste.  The portfolio comprises age statements, vintages and our Paradis range (Pre 1900 Grande Champagne), which is also available in bulk.  If you are in that part of the world at the end of April, do come and see us and if you would like any more information about our products, please email us on cognac@brandyclassics.com.

 

Bonbonne of 1889 Cognac Sells for £68K

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, News from the Brandy Houses and tagged , , , ,

1889 CognacA very exciting Christmas present for someone perhaps?  This 8 litre bonbonne of Hermitage 1889 Paradis Cognac was sold last week, the asking price was £68,300.  A one-off presentation of this superb 1889 cognac is a very rare offering by Hermitage Cognacs and was snapped up at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair.

It was distilled in the late nineteenth century (1889) when Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris opened with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch.  At 300m high it retained the record for the tallest man-made structure for 41 years.

The cognac comes from the southeast part of the region, now known as Grande Champagne, around the charming little village of Bouteville.  It was made on a small wood fired still and is a glorious example of some of the finest Premier Cru craftmanship of the era, when the understanding of cognac production methods was at its best.  Aged for more than 70 years in oak casks, which has optimized its key qualities of balance and rancio, this cognac is completely natural, with no reduction.  Such a long time in wood has produced an even distribution of flavours including cocoa, walnut kernels and coffee with a final and delicious long rancio, the much favoured richness, so highly desirable in these fine old cognacs.

 

Christmas Hermitage Reviews

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Hermitage ReviewsHermitage ReviewsSome wonderful Hermitage Reviews this Christmas:

The new edition of Club Oenologique has just been published, with a fabulous review and picture of the Hermitage 1972 Cognac by Joel Harrison.

“Curator of some of the oldest single vintage and single vineyard Cognacs around, Hermitage is run from a small village in Wiltshire.  Cognac expert David Baker has built unrivalled relationships with some of the more boutique distillers in the region, allowing him to bottle extremely old and rare cognacs.  This 1972 vintage is drawn from grapes grown in the Petite Champagne region and has a sensationally aromatic nose, with balanced sweetness and acidity.  The cigar-hungry finish gives integrated wood and a spicy concentration as well as mildly drying tannins.”

Olly Smith, well known TV personality, has also been posting about our Hermitage 40 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Aged with great care and expertise, this wonderful Grande Champagne cognac has been in an oak barrel for 40 years slowly maturing to its optimum condition. Flavours of plum and vanilla expand into lychee, pear, hay, plum and dried mandarin demonstrating complexity and individuality.  Winner of The Cognac Masters 2020, Masters Award.

 

Hermitage Cognacs toast four Master awards at Global Cognac Masters 2022

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Cognac Masters 2022We are thrilled to announce that the Cognac Masters 2022 results have just been released and it was an exceptional medal haul for Hermitage.

A Master Medal was awarded to all four entrants, providing the best set of results for Hermitage ever.  These latest winners are:

Hermitage 10 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Judge’s comments: Candied orange aromas. Really nice texture to this Cognac, hints of spice and rich fruitiness. Very sippable actually, would also be ideal for mixing.

Hermitage 25 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Judges’ comments: Superbly expressive nose with rancio, cedar wood and sandalwood, followed by deep dark dried fruits – raisins, prunes, sultanas – milk choc, vanilla, delicious juicy peach and plump sultana, deep woody spices add wonderful earthy notes, long finish that keeps going.

Hermitage 1975 Grande Champagne Cognac.   Judges’ comments: Very resinous palate, dry tannins, slightly saline. Hint of bitterness, stone fruits.

Hermitage 1972 Petite Champagne Cognac  Judges’ comments: Well-rounded palate- some citrus mid-palate, lifts everything. Nice combo of fruit, sweetness and spice – higher ABV holds well. Complex and well balanced.

The MD, David Baker, said

“We are really thrilled by this unprecedented recognition for our brandies. We work incredibly hard to source the very best cognacs we can find in the region, always from single estates and with age statements attached to them, and this is a tremendous reward for our efforts.  It also demonstrates that it’s possible to have exceptional quality, even in the more modest ranges such as with our 10 year old Grande Champagne (which won Master in the the VSOP – single estate flight).”

Read more about the competition results here:    The Cognac Masters 2022 results – The Spirits Business

Hermitage Cognacs Review

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Hermitage Cognacs ReviewThanks to Robin Goldsmith, freelance drinks writer at The Write Taste, for reviewing our Hermitage Cognacs as “deliciously decadent vintage Cognacs”.  The cognacs that Robin tasted are three of which we are particularly proud:

Hermitage 2008 Grande Champagne Cognac.  A very, very special and extraordinary find. This 2008 Cognac is just 10 years old, single-barrel, single-estate and very expensive, but it is one in a million. Smooth and perfectly balanced, it’s rich, spicy and full of intrigue. There are less than 200 bottles available so it won’t last – it is too good to last. Don’t do anything other than just drink it, you will never find another cognac like this even at double the price.  IWSC 2020 – Gold Award

Hermitage 1952 Grande Champagne Cognac.  A magnificent cognac from the Premier Cru which has been aged in cellars that are of medium dampness for more than 50 years. It was stored in old oak 250 litre barrels which had a medium toasting. Beautifully balanced, this superb cognac from the 1950s has matured with great finesse and elegance.  IWSC 2021 – Gold Award

Hermitage 50 year Old Grande Champagne Cognac.  Originally our 45 year old Grande Champagne Cognac, we have watched this remarkable brandy develop in its cask for many years. It is now more than 50 years old and still it grows in maturity, richness and finesse. The flavours of fruit cake, sultanas and porcini will continue to develop in this masterpiece.  IWSC 2021 – The Cognac Trophy & Gold Outstanding Award

New Hermitage 60 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac

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Hermitage 60 Year OldOur Hermitage 60 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac has always been popular, not just for its stunning flavours, but because it it the perfect gift for those born in 1962 or with a 60th anniversary this year.

We are therefore very excited that we have a new 60 Year Old to share with you.

Coming from the region around Juillac le Coq, it is beautifully balanced and has flavours of clove, liquorice, roasted chestnuts, cocoa and nutmeg.

We also supply it in a Gift Set comprising a 20 cl bottle and a Hermitage Cognac tulip-shaped tasting glass.

And if 60 years is not the anniversary you are looking for, we also have a 70 Year Old Gift Set and for a very special occasion, one containing a 1900 vintage.

 

Club Oenologique Supports Hermitage

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OenologiqueThe Winter 2021 Club Oenologique Magazine is, we are delighted to say, rather cognac heavy.  Richard Woodward begins with an in depth article entitled ‘Cognac’s Hidden Houses’.  “We all know the big cognac names, if only from our favourite hip-hop tracks.  But, a smattering of smaller boutique producers are quietly making their voices heard – and are well worth seeking out” he says.  Referring to the big brands, Laurent Vallet of Chateau Montifaud says “It would be boring for consumers to only find 5 or 6 types of cognac”.  That sums up the vision here at Hermitage – to sell unique cognacs with individual flavours.

Joel Harrison can also be found writing about ‘King Cognac’ – “Given the weight of history that Cognac carries, the result is arguably the most dynamic and exciting category in spirits” he comments.  Featuring the recent IWSC winners, Hermitage 50 Year Old that won The Cognac Trophy gets a special mention.  It scored 99 point out of 100 (there is a typo in the magazine) which is just about the best third party approbation we could get!

And to follow this up, the online magazine features another article by Joel about the joys of independently bottled spirits.  “….. There are few places left bottling any liquid from vintages such as 1880, 1885, 1890 and 1893 (to name but a few), and they are a real taste of history. As for the prices: well, all you need to know is that you could pick up two bottles of Hermitage’s excellent 1917 Grande Champagne Cognac for the price of one bottle of Louis XIII.”  You can read the full article here.

Hermitage 2010 GC Cognac Replaces 2005 Vintage

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2010“All good things must come to an end” is a much used axiom which certainly applies to our Hermitage 2005 Vintage.  What a huge success it has been over the past few years!   A Gold Award winner at the Cognac Masters, its popularity went from strength to strength but of course the stocks depleted accordingly.  Our entry level vintages from the Chez Richon region have all been great successes – 1999, 2000 & 2005 – and we feel sure the new 2010 will be just as sought after.

Distilled at the turn of the last decade, this recent arrival is still in cask, ensuring that its flavours continue to mature ….. initial mocha on the palate leads to toffee and spices such as mace with apricot and mandarin on the finish.  We always like to see a Grande Champagne Cognac aged for a minimum of 10 years, as cognacs from this cru take longer to mature than those from other crus; the 2010 is already in its eleventh year.  Retailing at under £70, its the perfect summer treat and if you’ve not owned a vintage cognac before, this is the perfect excuse to try one!

 

Hermitage 50 Year Old Wins The Cognac Trophy 2021

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Cognac Trophy 2021Following our unprecedented tally of medals at the International Wines and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2021 we are delighted to announce that the Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac has also been awarded the overall Cognac Trophy 2021.  it was the best cognac in the competition with a Gold Outstanding Award and a combined judges’ score of 99 points out of 100.

Our MD, who is one of the UK’s leading authorities on the subject, spoke as results were announced.

“We work tirelessly to find the very best that the region has to offer, from family growers who have these precious cognacs stashed away. Being awarded results like these is a welcome vindication of our standards and the outstanding quality which is available if you know where to look.”

Panel Chairman at the IWSC Joel Harrison praised the levels of quality in this round of judging.

“Given the history and heritage in Cognac, as well as the undoubted consistency of the major houses, it is a real joy through the IWSC judging to discover unique and individual bottlings such as these, packed with personality and flavour, that often defy their age. In a category with such high standards, it must be recognised how much of an achievement attaining medals and accolades of this standard is.”

The judges described our 50 Year Old (Grande Champagne) thus:

“Like opening an old leather-bound book or antique oak armoire. Figgy pudding and rich dark chocolate; wonderful rich spices and the bitterness of orange zest come through on the palate. Spicy but gentle and supremely dry.”

It is a magnificent cognac that will also make a wonderfully special 50th birthday or anniversary gift.

 

IWSC 2021 – Excellent Results for Hermitage Cognacs

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IWSC 2021Hot off the press, we are delighted to share with you our results from the International Wines & Spirits Competition – IWSC 2021.

A GOLD OUTSTANDING Medal was awarded to:

Hermitage 50 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac and the judges commented “Like opening an old leather-bound book or antique oak armoire.  Figgy pudding and rich dark chocolate; wonderful rich spices and the bitterness of orange zest come through on the palate. Spicy but gentle and supremely dry.”

And GOLD Medals were awarded to:

Hermitage 1952 Grande Champagne Cognac  “With heavy, rum-like caramel and treacle aromas, this cognac has a big palate offering flavours of peach melba, butterscotch and creamy coffee. The quality and intensity of fruit is simply excellent.”

Hermitage 1955 Grande Champagne Cognac  “Forest floor, freshly cut grass and citrusy notes on the nose. A silky palate of orchard florals, lemon rind and a final hint of rose jelly to finish. Wonderfully complex and hugely commendable.”

Hermitage Paradis 1890 Grande Champagne Cognac  “A tropical note behind the oaky, polished wood and roasted coffee aromas. Black tea on the palate is balanced with spice and creamy caramel. Dry, nuanced, refined and elegant.”