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Tag: Paradis

Hermitage Paradis Cognacs: Unlocking the Secrets of Aged Perfection

Posted / in Brandy Education, News and tagged , , , ,

Hermitage Paradis Cognac offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and heritage of one of the finest spirits ever created. Produced from the most treasured reserves, often stored for decades, Paradis refers to the oldest and most prestigious cognac in a house’s cellar. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, Hermitage Paradis represents the pinnacle of Grande Champagne Cognac production, boasting unparalleled quality, depth of flavour, and historical significance.

What Makes a Paradis Cognac?

Paradis Cognacs are typically drawn from the ‘bonbonnes’, glass demijohns where the oldest and most precious eaux-de-vie are carefully preserved. These spirits, often aged far beyond typical bottlings, retain a purity and concentration of flavour that is unrivalled. At Hermitage Cognac, the cognac used for Paradis bottlings comes from Grande Champagne, the Premier Cru of the Cognac region, renowned for producing cognacs with exceptional aging potential. Here, the limestone-rich soils impart a unique minerality that enhances the complexity of the eaux-de-vie over time.

Hermitage Paradis Cognacs are the embodiment of traditional craftsmanship, meticulously distilled in small copper stills known as alembics, and aged in the finest French oak barrels. Over the decades, these cognacs develop the famed “rancio” characteristic—a deeply savoury, nutty flavour unique to well-aged spirits. This complexity, coupled with the natural concentration of fruit and spice, makes Hermitage Paradis a connoisseur’s dream.

A Symphony of Flavours

Tasting Hermitage Paradis is an extraordinary experience, where layers of flavour reveal themselves slowly, evolving over time in the glass. On the nose, expect aromas of dried fruits—figs, apricots, and prunes—mingled with subtle notes of cigar box, antique wood, and vanilla. The palate offers a sumptuous richness, with honeyed fruits, nuts, spices, and a delicate touch of oak. The finish is astonishingly long, with echoes of orange peel, dark chocolate, and the prized rancio.

This cognac’s depth and complexity come from decades spent ageing in the perfect environment. Kept in damp, underground cellars, the spirit’s gradual interaction with the wood results in a balance of strength and finesse that few spirits can match.

A Collector’s Dream

With its rarity, exceptional age, and impeccable provenance, Hermitage Paradis is highly sought after by collectors. As with all Paradis cognacs, its scarcity adds to its value, making it not just a drink but an investment in history. Each bottle is a testament to the dedication and expertise of generations of cellar masters, passed down through the centuries.

For those who appreciate the finest things in life, Hermitage Paradis Cognacs’ offers a journey through time—a chance to taste the culmination of years of patient artistry. Whether enjoyed as an extraordinary gift, personal indulgence or investment purposes, this is a cognac to be savoured, admired, and revered.

Hermitage Paradis Cognacs

Posted / in News and tagged , ,

The term ‘Brandy’ is used to describe a spirit distilled from a fruit. There are three great French brandies, armagnac, cognac and calvados, the largest group being cognac where there are around 700 to 800 producers spread across six crus in the region of France known as the Charente and Charente Maritime. The top cru is known as Grande Champagne, it is from here that Hermitage Cognacs are sourced.

Cognacs, once distilled, are aged in oak barrels, those from Grande Champagne mature much slower than those from any other cru, indeed, the very finest cognacs which are aged naturally may take as long as sixty or seventy years to reach their highest quality. However, more than 99% of cognacs produced in Grande Champagne are aged for a very much shorter period and are blended with other cognacs to form generic blends which require sugar and caramel to balance their fiery tones.

Paradis, A cellar from Paradise.

Whilst most cognacs produced in Grande Champagne are sold at a very young age to the major cognac houses for blending, a very small percentage of the year’s finest, is held back and stored in the family cellars, and which may be sold to friends and clients of the families who own the distillery, and sometimes the odd barrel may be stored in a smaller area of the cellar or perhaps in a separate store which is called Paradis and where it may be forgotten for several generations.

The cognac will sleep in oak casks, gradually drawing on the tannins and hemi-cellulose in the oak and slowly developing rich and complex flavours, losing its fiery nature and changing into a beautiful deep golden nectar.

Cognac producers have, over the centuries, developed a deep understanding of the cognac process. They have learnt the best type and size of cask to use, how long to keep it in the casks, the best cellars conditions to store the casks in and numerous other skills which have made the fully matured cognac, The King of all Spirits. These priceless gems of the spirit world provide a completeness of maturity and are offered for sale in large glass sealed bonbonnes, and where their perfect qualities are preserved for generations to follow.

Hermitage Cognac, the Perfect Investment

The period between around 1865 and 1940 was when the finest old cognacs were produced. The Cognacais had learnt the skills of distillation and ageing and many of the old cognacs from this period have matured sufficiently long enough to provide qualities that are superior to those both before and after this period. That’s not to say there aren’t good cognacs after the 1940’s it is just that there are very few which have matured fully in cask available. The term ‘Paradis’ applies to Hermitage Cognacs produced before 1900.

Hermitage Cognacs are based in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire with an operational base near Segonzac in the premier cru of Cognac, Grande Champagne. It is from this base that we have been able to use our vast experience to search and find cognacs which have been stored in old cellars for decades. In many cases, barrels or bonbonnes are in hidden corners of the cellars and may have been ignored for many years. But not every cognac is good, we taste and test them for their quality. we research their history and check the quantity available before we buy them and put them into our cellars in France.

The average value of cognacs is currently appreciating at around 7 – 10% a year, depending on the barrel age and vintage, cognacs of this quality can appreciate faster. When you buy an old cognac you are buying a fully matured spirit which unlike most whiskies, which are only partially matured, are in perfect condition. Cognacs which have reached this state are kept in  sealed bonbonnes and can be either stored in them or bottled according to our customers wishes.

Our availability of bottled and duty paid Hermitage Paradis Cognacs include the following vintages. 1875, 1880, 1883, 1885, 1887, 1889, 1890 & 1893 Larger quantities of Hermitage cognacs in bond include 1881, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1888 & 1889, all of these cognacs are in 30 litre wax sealed bonbonnes. Deliveries are normally in wood crates to both National and International markets.

Hermitage Paradis 1885 GC Cognac – A Masterpiece

Posted / in Brandy Bottle Reviews, News, The Bottle Story and tagged , , , , , ,

MasterpieceOur range of Hermitage Paradis Cognacs continues to expand with this stunning arrival from 1885.  Perhaps the best cognac we have ever tasted, this masterpiece will never be repeated.

Distilled in the year that the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York, a gift from the French people, it has been aged for a staggering 110 years.  The much sought after ‘rancio’ in this cognac is incredibly intense and rich.  It was brought about by long barrel ageing, in two different barrels, which has created an unbelievable ‘double rancio’ effect.  The aroma is remarkable and the flavour, sensational. Many of the aromas are also found in the flavours. The molasses, cherry and roasted walnut are all there but also turmeric and black truffle, medlar, allspice, fig, cocoa and almond.

Released with very limited supply, there are only a few bottles remaining already …..

Why is the French ‘Paradis’ so special?

Posted / in Brandy Education, Famous Cognac Houses, The History of Cognac and tagged ,

Paradis gatesNot every cognac house has a Paradis – a designated area in the innermost recess of their cellar – but those that exist are steeped in history.  Back in the early eighties, having discovered a cognac which I really liked, I went to the Charente to try and discover its origin. I ended up in Cognac’s twin town, Jarnac, standing in front of an elegant wrought iron gate with an imposing key.  Behind it were about 100 very dusty bonbonnes, each with a chalk board describing what was in them.  What an eye opener – they contained cognacs which dated from as early as 1805. Each bonbonne (a sort of demijohn in a basket), contained about 30 litres of prized spirits and was sealed with wax to maintain its superior qualities.

bonbonnes in a paradisMany 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 rancio.

There is little doubt that these cognacs will be superb masterpieces and truly exceptional amongst other cognacs, perhaps worthy only of paradise – the English translation of Paradis. I am sure that these fine old nectars should be preserved and locked away until their greatness can be recognised by true connoisseurs. The Angels have had their ‘share’, what’s left is worthy of far higher. If, when you next visit the Cognac region you visit an old cognac producer, ask if you can taste a cognac from their Paradis. If such a request is granted, savour it.  The cognacs in the Paradis will be the very finest that the house has ever made. If, on the other hand, your request is denied, try our Hermitage Marie Louise.  It’s a very fine example and has already won a number of very prestigious awards.