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This is one of the most exciting Cognacs we've ever stocked, particularly now that we're able to offer it at a price that better reflects just how extraordinary the age and pedigree are. It's a total bomb, not suited for most large-house Cognac drinkers, but it will easily win over lovers of old, unobtainable American whiskey, intensely sherried malt, or cask-strength Armagnac. Lovers of dense and powerful dark spirits of any kind, take note. This is a selection from Bouju's oldest stocks, with a minimum age of around 40 years and a not insignificant proportion of brandies much, much older, perhaps 80+ years old. According to M. Bouju, it's bottled without coloring, filtration, or reduction of any kind. He insists the excessively dark color is the result of that lack of reduction, something that normally happens several times during an eau-de-vie's maturation and blending. Instead, he distills and reduces slightly before barreling, then does absolutely nothing else for the next four decades. When it reaches 100 proof naturally, it's transferred into a special vat, from which only a portion is removed for each bottling. So the young, 40-year-old Cognac mingles with small portions of every previous batch that has gone into the vat. The resulting Cognac is a force of nature. The nose puts us squarely in bourbon land: dense, dry, and woodsy, with fruit compote of figs and plums, cacao nibs, sweet herbs, and all kinds of baking spice. Relatively gentle on the palate considering the high proof, but very dry, with dark fruit and a huge minty, herbal finish. A benchmark by any standard. 5 Stars.

This is a monster. We rarely see high-proof Cognac that's both affordable and delicious, but the Royal is exactly that. The Royal is bottled at an astonishing 120 proof, yet the nose exhibits no bitter ethanol or burn. The high proof is a vehicle for aroma and flavor here. Instead of harshness, we get a pungent mixture of dried stone fruit, varnishy old wood, tobacco, and wooden cellar. The palate is ultra-textured and concentrated, with a building peppery spice that overwhelms the fruit by the finish. A heavy, almost thick, and sweeter-than-expected entry leads to a bold, spicy, dry finish. It's an absolute treat. Bouju claims to add absolutely nothing to this special Cognac, and that big, dry finish might confirm his claims. A stupendous product with a cult following. It never lasts long when we have it.

Age makes all the difference in Grande Champagne, and at 20 years old, this Cognac has begun to show its elegance and depth. Pronounced aromas of dried rose, peach jam, marmalade, toasted nuts and the beginning of rancio glide softly on to a palate of baked, spiced pear, warm pastry, and a savory note on the finish. My favorite of the Dudognon collection. (JW)

Delamain’s youngest offering, at 20 to 25 years old, is also one of the standard-bearers of Grande Champagne (the blend was created in the 1920s and hasn’t changed). Light amber, with a delightful nose full of pear, marmalade, quince and orange blossom. The pear and quince carry onto the palate, where a distinctive membrillo-like flavor emerges — a unique note I find in a number of Delamain expressions. There’s gentle spice and warm citrus on the palate, gliding to a long, delicate finish. The definition of elegance. (JW)

Solid, good-value 10-year-old from Grande Champagne. Golden in color, offering bright, warm notes of apricot, plum and orange peel, with toasted oak, baking spice and bit of toffee coming on the palate. But the overall effect is light and lean. (JW)

Coming in at a staggering 136.6 proof, this is an absolute beast of a Cognac, and one that whiskey lovers will likely gravitate toward. Not just because of the strength, but because it delivers a broad range of whisky-like flavors that many Cognacs leave behind. Distilled in 2012 and bottled in 2021, it is robust, playful, and demands your full attention. The nose opens with fresh-roasted coffee beans, tiramisu, dried figs and apricots, plum molasses, and orange blossom honey, followed by hints of lychee and oak moss. The first sip is unapologetically bold, bringing leather, toffee, licorice, mushrooms, and a peppery spice. Water is very much this spirit’s friend. It softens the edges and reveals additional fruit and floral notes, along with deeper layers of roasted caramel and honey. The finish returns to coffee, dates, and plums, joined by cigar box and soft leather. This is not a shy spirit by any measure, and a bit of water is key to opening it up and revealing its beautiful layers.

In the glass, this VSOP Cognac has a topaz hue with orange highlights. The inviting aroma is warm, honeyed and mellow. The silky palate echoes that honey and layers it with vanilla and baking spice, finishing long with citrus, spice and a hint of dried apricot. Sip or mix. (KN)

Delamain is a historic, family-run Cognac house based in Jarnac, with roots dating to 1824. The house focuses exclusively on Grande Champagne, the Cognac region’s premier cru, whose chalk-rich soils are prized for producing eaux-de-vie suited to extended maturation. This XO offers a classic introduction to Delamain’s specialized Grande Champagne portfolio.

Slightly savory hints of dried marjoram and mushroom highlight this complex, burnished-gold sipper. The palate opens with mild raisin sweetness and finishes nutty, oxidized and relatively dry. -KN

Look for a burnished orange hue, with mellow vanilla and almond aromas. The soft palate fleetingly echoes those vanilla and almond notes, leading into a nuanced finish tinged with tropical fruit and dried apricot, plus a white floral hint. - KN

Made from estate-grown, chateau-bottled Grande Champagne grapes and eaux-de-vie that are between 15 and 20 years old. Aroma of damp earth, succulent fresh fruit, flowers and spice. Palate entry is off-dry, caramel-like and properly oak; at midpalate, the flavor deepens, offering lip-smacking tastes of light toffee, almond butter and vanilla extract. Finishes candied and rich. *Superb/Highly Recommended, Best Buy*

Founded in Jarnac in 1824, Delamain is a historic Cognac house devoted to eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne, the appellation’s premier cru. XXO is a regulated Cognac designation requiring the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend to have spent at least 14 years in oak.

Bid on this bottle of Delamain Vesper Grande Champagne Cognac (96VN). Vinous: "Slightly older than Delamain Pale & Dry, at 30 to 35 years old, this copper-colored XO is even more complex. There’s still orchard fruit, but also beautiful aromas of fresh wildflowers and wet earth. On the palate, it’s richer, rounder and expansive, offering more intense saline and spice notes, but there’s still the delicious note of quince and membrillo at the core, and a finish that goes on forever. (40% abv) (JW)"

Bid on this bottle of Tesseron "Perfection" Lot No. 53 XO Grande Champagne Cognac ((96-100WE), 98RP, 97JD). Wine Enthusiast: "The nosing passes find an oaky/nut paste aroma with fruity notes of berries, dried fruit, plums, pears and soft cheese. The palate entry is composed, succulent and honeyed; by midpalate the flavors deepen to include caramel, rancio and orange rind. Finishes beautifully with depth, finesse and maturity. (PP)" (12/2006)

Bid on this bottle of Jules Duret "Lot 024/98" Grande Champagne Cognac.

****SPECIAL ORDER ONLY please allow 5-7 business days for bottles to be available to ship. No refunds or returns. Subject to availability****

The aroma features fig, prune, pastry dough, honey and maple scents. On palate, Louis XIII offers long and intensely woody flavors; additional layers of flavor, including figs, dates, prunes, dried apricot and vanilla, are featured at midpalate. Finishes elegantly, warm, smooth and more oaky than fruity succulent. Only minor rancio. (PP)

Product details coming soon.