Hermitage 25yo Grande Champagne Cognac

There are five or six hundred producers of cognac in the cantons of Cognac. Most produce their spirits for the big commercial names in the industry. Hermitage carefully select the golden nectars from barrels where history has stood still. Many of their cognacs have vintages, others, age statements which define the period of time spent in barrels.

Hermitage seek history and provenance for their cognacs, but also look for smaller details such as cellar location and humidity, size and type of oak barrels along with their toasting and age. They look at the size and shape of the still on which the cognacs are made and perhaps most importantly, the families who have made them and their belief in producing cognac that will be different from the rest.

Grape Variety

Ugni Blanc

Viticulture

Some of the finest chalk in the whole of Grande Champagne. Almost entirely Ugni Blanc

Distillation

This cognac was distilled in one of two 25 hltr stills with a relatively narrow head and short swans neck

Ageing

Aged in damp cellars in 350 litre casks for 25 years. The cellars are extensive and the firm has much experience in developing these fine cognacs

Reduction and Strength

Reduction to 43 degrees

Tasting Notes

Nose: Initially there is a deep smell of kumquats and dried mandarin skins, but this is a wonderfully complex cognac with a multitude of aromas. The nose develops to nutmeg, roasted almonds, vanilla, coffee and melon and if you can resist drinking it you will be rewarded with many more delicious rich smells as it matures in the glass

Palate: The overall complexity of the flavours is retained from start to finish, with a slightly spicy addition appearing after the initial citrus flavour has developed on the palate. This is then followed by a development into dried almond and a hint of marrow. A superior Grande Champagne, complex and well balanced