ShareSaveCommentLifestyleDiningFrom Cognac To Colorado, A Taste Of Hennessy Paradis In AspenByBenjamin Liong Setiawan Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights and all of life's indulgences.Follow AuthorMay 05 09:18am EDTShareSaveCommentThe Paradis Suite at St Regis Aspen Resort Not only has their presidential suite been transformed into the Paradis suite but guests can also book a special Paradis dinner experience A partnership between Pastry Chef Cyril Baudin of Chateau de Bagnolet the historic estate of the Hennessy family in Cognac the four course dinner brings epicureans on a gastronomic journey from Cognac to Colorado A sample menu includes Alaskan king crab and Kaluga caviar paired with Krug Grande Cuvée dry aged duck breast and foie gras paired with Joseph Phelps Insignia Wagyu striploin and white Alba truffle paired with Hennessy X.O and a lavender infused baba paired with Hennessy Paradis Dessert course from the Paradis dinner experience: lavender infused baba paired with Hennessy .. Paradis is the pillar of the Hennessy Rare Editions collection an eighth generation master blender for Hennessy to learn more about the unique cognacs in the Rare Editions portfolio Naturally his family has deep roots in the cognac industry with his parents being grape growers and distillers About 20 years ago his uncle noticed his potential and gave him the opportunity to join Hennessy For Renaud “it’s really about what you believe in I believe in preparing the future and having values.” Hennessy Paradis in the Paradise Suite at St Regis Aspen Resort Benjamin Liong Setiawan: There are several expressions within the Hennessy Rare Editions collection Renaud Fillioux de Gironde: The heart of the Rare Editions is Hennessy Paradis It’s really the idea of being on the quest for perfect harmony It’s this idea of how you can see that everything just fits together Even after all these years—because we’re talking about a blend of 100 different eaux-de-vie that are at least 30 years old and some way more—it’s still fresh iconic because you can have all of these characters with this wonderful freshness and harmony We’re talking about the ingredients that are at least 50 years old and up to way more than that It’s the history of our founder in a glass So it’s really more about maturity and complexity when Paradis is about harmony and a delicate character It’s two different expressions of what an amazing stock of eaux-de-vie we have in Cognac BLS: In addition to your core range of Rare Editions RFdG: I’d say a limited edition or special creation is Paradis Unlimited We put back the cognac for almost three extra years in the barrel to let all of the elements combine with it how can you get the purest clarity and expression of Paradis So we took it straight from the barrel directly to the bottle It’s even more delicate and more elegant than Paradis And you can craft the packaging and design it any way you want the ultimate expression of our rare cognacs is La Dame Jeanne you have to know every Hennessy eau-de-vie is aged in barrel Each year I taste them to see their evolution and see if they’re ready to blend we’re going to keep them for a longer period in the barrel I remove it from the barrel and put it in the demijohn it stops the evolution because if you leave it in the barrel If we want to keep the essence just as it is The idea of La Dame Jeanne is you want a cognac just for you What I’m going to do is ask you to invite me for a couple of days to where you live I’m going to do a tasting with you of several different eaux-de-vie I’m going to understand even more what you like 10 liters of a pure expression of what I believe—with my knowledge about cognac making and blending—is something you will like I’ve done that twice and I’ve got the third one on the way It’s a pure expression of a perfect cognac just for one person what can you tell me about the eaux-de-vie that make up the cognac RFdG: I don’t talk too much about the figures because what matters is the quality of the selection Because if you blend a thousand poor eaux-de-vie What I learned during the first ten years of my career at Hennessy is learning how to taste It’s every day at 11 o’clock tasting 60 to 70 samples to learn what is good for Hennessy I worked ten years with my uncle and the team of tasters you start to have a good understanding of the stock is to follow the quality of our eaux-de-vie stock We try to put in the best condition the ones that still have potential blending is the very last step of the process The quality of the selection makes a difference BLS: Knowing that there are different eaux-de-vie in the blend RFdG: If you look at the stock of Hennessy the oldest eaux-de-vie we’ve got in stock is from 1800 a lot of the eaux-de-vie were there before I joined Hennessy there’s a bit of emotion because I’m using some of the treasures of all the members of my family that were here before me I have a special bond with them—the liquid I’ve got something that you can touch physically So even though I didn’t get a chance to meet him it’s a tribute to their work—to what they’ve done A look at some of the oldest eaux-de-vie in the cellars at Hennessy in Cognac BLS: There’s a real passion and tangible history in what you do The fact that a lot of the ingredients that I’m using in Paradis Doing something good and trying to make it better you’re preparing some eaux-de-vie that will be used for generations to come Part of what I decide to buy will be used in 100 years We also have the impact of the climate and everything Maybe this 2024 vintage is not going to age for a long time Aging is making a lot of decisions about how to get the best potential We are all different and have different abilities you probably went through schooling and jobs that helped you to be good at your craft And I need a plumber because we need diversity You just want to make sure that you take every eaux-de-vie and you put them at their best Managing stock is understanding potential from the beginning and putting it in the best condition for them Understanding how these eaux-de-vie are different from one another Seeing what’s the ultimate they can be after two years or after 300 years BLS: How do you know when you need to move some eaux-de-vie into a demijohn to stop the aging process versus giving others more time in the barrels RFdG: So this is why tasting is so important This is why all the time I spent learning how to taste is I can see in these eaux-de-view that they can be even better tomorrow Or if I found a point that I realize through tasting the character that will develop is just going to be linked to age and I don’t want that So let’s use it now or move to demijohn to halt the aging There’s no chemical analysis that you can do It’s really about understanding and making decision I’m going to do it for just half of the batch There’s a metaphor for life found in that philosophy This interview has been edited for length and clarity Paradis dinner experience in the Paradis Suite at St The Paradis Suite and the Paradis dinner experience at St Regis Aspen Resort will be available for bookings from May 29th onward and just in time for the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Find Benjamin Liong Setiawan on Instagram: @hungryeditor Experts have warned that restrictions on imported alcohol could lead to empty shelves — though the move may offer a boost to domestic producers The introduction of mandatory beer labelling under the Chestny ZNAK traceability system — first piloted in Tatarstan — is just one of several legislative changes reshaping Russia’s alcohol market in 2025 Major wholesalers are preparing for new restrictions on the import of alcohol One of these measures concerns the permanent requirement to label imported alcoholic beverages with federal excise stamps on Russian territory What else is going to change in the strong alcohol market in the near future and how will it affect producers and consumers — Realnoe Vremya investigates the labelling of alcoholic beverages with federal excise stamps will take place primarily within Russia The practice of labelling alcohol produced outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the point of origin for import into Russia will only be permitted until 28 February 2026 An exception will be made for alcohol produced in member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) where excise stamps may continue to be applied at the point of production this will come with restrictions: the Russian government will approve a list of authorised producers eligible to export alcohol with pre-applied stamps excise stamps were affixed to imported products before they entered Russia The shift to domestic labelling is aimed at reducing the risk that so-called “unfriendly” countries might ban the labelling of alcoholic goods on their own territory “The experiment to shift the labelling of imported alcohol to Russian territory has been ongoing since 2021,” Oksana Fomichenko the head of the regional office of the Federal Service for Alcohol and Tobacco Market Regulation (Rosalkogoltabakcontrol) for the Volga Federal District Labelling imported alcohol within the Russian Federation will help reduce business costs eliminate the influence of unfriendly countries on the import process Rosalkogolregulirovanie has updated the application forms used to log data in the Unified State Automated Information System (EGAIS) regarding the import and movement of alcoholic products The revised forms now include new fields related to the harvest year of grapes used in distillate production as well as the location of product labelling within Russia which include fields for specifying the grape harvest year used in distillate production were introduced to account for the ageing period of products such as cognac,” Fomichenko explained “This system is already in place for domestically produced goods.” “Any form of restriction inevitably impacts competition,” said Realnoe Vremya’s expert Anna Galimova former board member of Tatspirtprom and ex-chair of the Alcohol Association of Tatarstan the decision appears logical and justified But it is crucial that our domestic producers do not allow quality standards to slip as a result of these changes.” Galimova also pointed out that Russian producers are not able to compete with foreign counterparts in all categories of alcoholic beverages the new regulations are likely to limit consumer choice when it comes to strong spirits “There are certain types of strong drinks that with all due respect to domestic producers we simply cannot cover technologically and formulary — whisky Russian wine production has significantly improved in recent years our producers still lack the capacity to fully meet market demand Large producers like ‘Kuban-Vino’ and ‘Abray-Durso’ are doing well but new large-scale production facilities won’t emerge quickly Even excellent wines from Crimea are selling out fast but often not making it to the Volga region at all she also suggested that the introduction of restrictions on imported alcoholic beverages could benefit the development of Russian winemaking this shift should encourage domestic producers to increase production capacities and open new facilities She also commented on the introduction of mandatory beer labelling noting that labelling inevitably restricts circulation and contributes to a “regional protectionism” that limits consumer choice leading to the dominance of local products on store shelves The changes also affect the timeline for the destruction and disposal of seized or confiscated illegally produced alcohol which are stored in warehouses of authorised organisations for more than three years This period has been extended until 1 September 2027 The deputy head of the State Alcohol Inspectorate of Tatarstan also noted that due to the moratorium on inspections which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued in the context of the ongoing military operation the volumes of illegally produced alcohol seized in the republic have decreased significantly around 200,000 liters of alcohol were seized annually but now only 20,000–30,000 liters are being confiscated we conducted around 3,500 inspections a year; now We are mainly limited to preventive measures — lectures When asked by Realnoe Vremya what violations the supervisory authority is currently detecting and where during rare inspections alcohol is rarely seized from stationary points of sale where transactions are made legally we encounter products produced in underground workshops or garages — unidentified spirits alcohol-containing liquids intended for dual purposes we work together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs but because it has expired or the documentation is missing this will have a positive effect on the fight against expired products Although this is currently in a pilot phase it will become mandatory for all stores starting 1 September.” participants in the market will be prohibited from selling unlabelled beer in consumer packaging beer producers will be required to include in their reports the details of the primary accounting documents related to production as well as the ethyl alcohol content in the beverage chairman of the Beer Association of Tatarstan rejected Realnoe Vremya's suggestion that the new regulations could create problems for beer producers Tatarstan has already been participating in a voluntary beer labelling pilot project for two years: They’ve already purchased the equipment and ensured product traceability with the introduction of mandatory labelling there will be a small markup on beer and beer products but on large producers who are purchasing labelling equipment Breweries will also face some challenges because they’ve already bought equipment—printers cameras—but all of that will pay off over time these costs won’t be passed on to beer itself; the only cost added to the price is the cost of the label This is the amount that consumers will pay.” Akchurin also pointed out that beer is not an essential product like milk and producers understand that a sharp price increase would lead many consumers to stop purchasing it © 2015 - 2025 Realnoe Vremya online newspaper Registration Certificate EL No FS77—79627 as from 18 December 2020 (earlier EL No FS77—59331 as from 18 September 2014) issued by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) The content of Realnoe Vremya may be used only with the rights holders’ prior written consent While the Cognac category is in turmoil at the moment the excellence of the liquids put forward in our annual competition shows that when the market regains its footing It’s been a tough period of late for Cognac. A tricky market in China saw exports drop by 10.6% in 2024, largely thanks to a decrease in demand for VSOP and XO Cognacs in the wake of the country’s anti-dumping investigation. According to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), in 2024 the overall value of Cognac shipments fell to €3 billion (US$3.1bn) Despite the global challenges facing the category (see page 28 for an in-depth report) this blind tasting has historically always been one of the strongest performers in The Global Spirits Masters Competitions The tasting took place at Lowcountry Bar below Counter 71 in London Two panels of judges gathered for the assessment Forming the first panel were: Richard Legg owner of Distilled Knowledge; Matt Chambers co-founder of Whisky For Everyone; and Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis The second group of judges comprised: Antony Moss, independent sustainability consultant; James Bunting, founder of New Make Communications; and Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions A quartet of Gold winners were celebrated: “fun pleasant with some spiced fruit” Honor VS Cognac; “complex with dried wood and stone fruit” VS Cognac – Richard Delisle; “impressive with good maturity for a VS” Courvoisier VS; and “fruity sippable and good value for money” Martell VS Three Silver awards completed the first flight Ferrand Cognac received the first Master of the day for Ferrand 1840 Original Formula The Cognac was described as “luscious and elegant Chambers enthused: “The VS Cognacs were superb with great flavour profiles and balance across the board ­– an excellent representation of the category.” The high standard continued into the VS – Ultra-Premium (£51-plus) round where Branson Phantom VS took a Master medal for its “soft As the tasting moved to VSOP – Premium (£30-£50) another Master was found: Ferrand 10 Générations with an incredibly rounded feel and good weight” Tasting notes from the group included “rich caramel and bold dried fruit green apple and creamy Werther’s Original” Also meeting the Gold standard was Honor VSOP Cognac Moss commented: “The good ones really do deliver for the price.” Rémy Martin VSOP shot to the top in the following flight and a Silver went to Cognac De Luze’s Gentry The VSOP – Single Cru heat resulted in a duo of Master medals for Martell The Golds went to Martell Single Cru Petite Champagne and Martell Single Cru Borderies The latter Cognac presented “burnt banana soufflé” on the nose Up next came a VSOP – Single Estate Cognac Cognac Frapin VSOP took home the top accolade after impressing with its “great balance and depth; dried fruit As the age of the Cognacs increased again to XO beginning with a selection costing between £56-£100 in the super-premium segment the first of which went to XO Cognac Club Cigare Grande Champagne – Richard Delisle “Very classic on the nose; elegant and refined,” noted Chambers “A hint of cocoa powder and a pinch of warming baking spices on the palate.” Master-winning XO Grande Champagne – Richard Delisle was praised for its “rich palate This was said to be a great sipping Cognac with “all the flavours working harmoniously together” A quartet of Golds and one Silver made for a strong flight “The big thing for me here was the role rancio plays here that it doesn’t really play in VSOP,” noted Moss Bunting added about the Masters: “The clarity of flavours was so precise The quality standard continued into the top price bracket of the XO category and two Silver medals were enjoyed in this round Larsen Cognac XO Reserve received its Master award for remaining “vibrant and fruity” despite the years of maturation “The fruitiness really shines through – it’s a very elegant Cognac,” noted Kiely Cognac François Voyer – Extra received a Master for its “velvety palate with expressive spice Martell XO also made the Master cut with “plenty of orange on nose plus caramel and Werther’s Original sweets Rounding off the Masters was Martell Cordon Bleu A small flight of XO – Single Cru Cognacs did not disappoint lauded for being “rich and engaging with elegance and precision” rich and elegant” Cognac Frapin – XO VIP collected a Gold medal here Cognac Frapin added to its medal haul in the following flight where it won a Gold medal for its Rudy Gobert XO expression And yet another medal came Frapin’s way in the Vintage heat this time a Master for Cognac Frapin – Millésime 1998 25 Years Old perfumed and aromatic,” noted Rodriguez-Curtis His panel also found flavours of “jasmine and tea-like notes playing with woody notes alongside lychee and a touch of rose petal” The last Master of the contest was awarded in the Hors d’Âge – Ultra-Premium flight Hors d’Âge received the top award for being the Cognac that “has it all” mouthcoating and just pure luxury,” Rodriguez-Curtis enthused The closing two flights of the day ended the tasting with two enjoyable Gold medallists one for “rich and approachable” Larsen Aqua Ignis in the No Age Statement – Premium flight balanced” Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal in the No Age Statement – Super-Premium heat Then the Master winners were poured again for the judges who carefully considered each winner before the votes were counted and it was Courvoisier XO that went to the top as this year’s Taste Master While Cognac may be facing market challenges there is no denying the unwavering quality this category continues to create there will be a wealth of options for Cognac fans to rediscover We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Edible Monterey Bay 2025 – My first memory of cognac dates to a college dance where a guy wearing a tweed jacket suddenly whisked me from the sidelines and began spinning me around the floor Eschewing the dismal punch usually served at Harvard parties he pulled a small silver flask from his inside pocket And then we were off for another whirl until he found someone more interesting.  I’ve had the pleasure of tasting a few cognacs (which brings to mind the prized and much-missed Osocalis XO with fond memories of Christmas Eve nightcaps of Armagnac with my dad.  I was lucky enough to take part in the Louis XIII Grand Champagne Cognac tasting which derives from 150-year-old French barrels into which only the finest eau de vie spirit is selected to rest for up to 100 years.  sourced from the many wineries that are part of the mix to produce one liter of the 70% alcohol eau-de-vie that eventually makes it into barrels This is an incredibly painstaking and time-intensive process It’s like reducing Big Ben to a wristwatch.  I could only imagine the angel’s share that is sacrificed in the process of creating this exquisite liquor I wasn’t sure what to expect from the King.  We were beckoned outside for the ultimate backdrop Pacific Ocean barely glinting at us through sullen sky An ounce or so of history was poured into the most perfect crystal glasses Each drop had rested in a barrel older than any other manmade element that surrounded us The barrels had survived WWII and all its horrors plus every other human drama that has followed Drinking it around a firepit with the endless ocean to the west The precious liquid rested in a LOUIS XIII decanter first created in 1874 when Paul-Émile Rémy Martin produced the first LOUIS XIII cognac he found the historic flask on a battlefield in Jarnac and had an intriguing shape with three distinctive fleurs-de-lys We were encouraged to try this cognac with caviar and the finest jamon it reflects the light it hasn’t seen in 100 years.  One of the attendees excitedly called his dad Louis XIII will relieve $4k from your stash quicker than a rough day on stock market “This is like buying art,” the Rémy rep told me He does events like this for private collectors parties and at high end events like Pebble I asked him what he wishes people would not do when they were drinking cognac.  “The wide mouth sends all that alcohol right into your face.” This is why the smaller crystal glasses There’s a whole world of merch surrounding this Louis XIII ritual Gotta hand it to the King for starting a revered tradition that like time cannot be rushed: only underappreciated.  the events company that has been producing PBFW since its resurrection in 2024 showed up for the Louis XIII seminar with a broad which ranged from mid 30s to well past middle age (me and a few others).  As the sun tried to throw us a few rays through the furrowed clouds he told me they’d made a concerted effort to attract more consumers to this event and a more diverse set of consumers at that and we have more chefs wanting to participate every year,” he said while we savored the amber liquid from the crystal gasses around the firepit.   He hinted at perhaps doing more trade-oriented seminars and events He observed that at least half the people who show up for Opening Night are in the hospitality industry the crowd involved in putting on the event and attending it this year for promoting diversity as a good thing.)    Mediterranean by the Sea was the name of the lunch I attended before the cognac seminar My tablemates were from all over the country including a lovely woman who lives in Chicago but grew up in Mumbai She and her friend stumbled upon the lunch while staying with their husbands at Post Ranch Inn an experience they were thoroughly enjoying.  Their husbands had booked tee times at Spyglass for Friday and the women needed something to do so they ended up booking the PBFW lunch at Spanish Bay We all universally loved the Pea Party salad a spicy cilantro and jalapeño sauce.  The wine pairing of the 2023 Saracina Sauvignon Blanc with this dish was brilliant: it smells like spring and romps across the palate like an electrical storm of grapefruit and pineapple juiciness that engages every part of your mouth a Canadian who consistently makes amazing SB from mostly organic sites This might have been the best wine of the meal it’s an awesome value for a wine that got 95 points from Wine Enthusiast was a Greek poached shrimp dish called Garides Kerkyraikes which is why it’s always a good idea to grab a glass of Champagne at these kinds of events before the food starts coming out even if you are indulging in cocktails during the hors d’oeuvres hour.  We had the great fortune of being poured Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut Champagne which for the price (you can find it at Safeway for under $50) The formula of 40% Pinot Meunier and 40% Pinot Noir gives it the stuffing to produce one flavorful fresh and delicious beverage that stands up well to food We also loved the 2024 Sella & Mosca La Cala Vermentino The dish of Za’atar baked fluke with olive oil crushed potatoes Sometimes all you need is a generous squeeze of lemon or a touch of red pepper heat The wine had weight and breadth and might have done better with the previous course.  There are few proteins that love spice as much as duck The spice roasted duck breast from Stephanie Izard of Girl and the Goat in Chicago and was served with fennel confit and lentils it again needed a splash of apricot brandy ginger liqueur or even a squeeze of yuzu to take it up a notch The age-old adage of it needing some kind of acid to counter the fat is a good one and was better suited to a baked rigatoni with boar sausage a Sangiovese or a bright Sicilian red like Nerelo Mascalese.  Again that Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut showed itself nicely.  Had they paired the duck with the Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé, though The meal ended with a saffron olive oil cake by Caroline Schiff who decorated the plate with wine roasted grapes candied almonds and whipped honey goat cheese It was rich and divine with the 2022 Planeta Passito di Noto Moscato Like Lucille Ball wearing multiple costumes the permutations pf Moscato are always different columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food Digital EditionText Edition our mission is to celebrate the local food cultures of Santa Cruz and that everyone has a right to healthful We think knowing where our food comes from is a powerful thing website and events will inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers EMB is one of 80+ magazines in the award-winning and beloved Edible Communities family We hope you enjoy all that we have to offer Even if you're a spirits connoisseur who purchases liquor bottles off the top shelf at your local booze-selling establishment you've still probably barely scratched the surface of just how breathtakingly expensive some liquors can be Forget liquors in the hundreds-of-dollars range — some bottles cost five That's a lot of zeros for a cocktail ingredient it isn't the liquor itself that adds such heft to the price tag (although some high prices are based purely on the rarity and quality of the liquid in the bottles) it's the combo of the booze and the extravagant design of bottles made from rare materials that can make the price out-of-reach for us mere mortals From a five-figure American bourbon to a seven-figure vodka fit for a Russian oligarch these are some of the most expensive liquors you can drink When you talk about expensive American liquors, a name that comes up time and time again is Pappy Van Winkle While PBV bourbons can cost in the thousands the Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year Kentucky Bourbon often costs in the five-figure range the 25-year bourbon regularly sells for anywhere from $25,000 to $45,000 Even more astonishing is a 2025 record-setting special edition Old Rip Van Winkle 'Van Winkle Selection' that shattered previous PBV sales prices by selling at auction for a whopping $125,000 It's proof that Old Rip Van Winkle continues to excite bourbon connoisseurs you can find a few (but not many) bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle 25-Year bourbon for sale in prices in the mid-five figures ranging anywhere from about $40K to about $60K Some just want to own something that's out of reach for many Others buy it to drink it and tout its exceptional smoothness or 23-year bourbons for a mere four figures and age of what's inside might be enough to justify the extravagant cost This Cognac is so rare that it seldom comes up for sale prices range anywhere from about $15K to over $50K you can buy a mini (50-milliliter) decanter of the classic Louis XIII Cognac just to get a taste of what all the Louis XIII hype is about More into Scotch than Cognac? Great news, then. If you have a spare $65K (usually more on secondary markets) to burn, then perhaps this 81-year-old single malt Scotch, The Macallan The Reach would be the perfect way to wet your whistle The single malt was distilled way back in 1940 and then aged for 81 years before being bottled in 2021 Collectors were all over it in spite of the $125,000 original sale price perhaps because only 288 bottles were ever made it'll cost you anywhere from $100K to around $500K While the liquid gold in the bottle — which is billed as the world's oldest Scotch whisky — is a huge contributor to the price The mouth-blown glass decanter is cradled by three cast-bronze hands created by Scottish sculptor Saskia Robinson Even if you can bring yourself to sip on the whisky inside the decanter and bronze will last a lifetime as an artistic testament to the most expensive bottle of Scotch you've probably ever tried because the Guinness Book of World Records' world-record setter for the most expensive bottle of liquor ever sold (as of 2006 that is) is a tequila: the Ley .925 Diamante tequila The 100% Blue Weber agave tequila is double-distilled and aged in French oak for a maximum of seven years but it's the bottle that put it over the top and made it a record breaker It sold in 2006 for $225K to a private collector The current value is estimated at northward of $3.5 million it's not going to make its way out of that private collection anytime soon you can nab a glass repro of the Diamante bottle containing the same tequila for a somewhat much more affordable three figures if you're looking to sip on a world-class tequila The Dalmore Highland single-malt Scotch has a reputation for being a high-quality whisky and none is as vaunted (or expensive) as the 62-year-old single malt it missed out on being the world's oldest single malt Scotch by 19 years but that didn't keep it from setting a record as the world's most expensive whisky at the time selling for £25,877.50 (about $34,327.80) in 2002 with a bottle selling for $149,000 on the secondary market It was one of 12 hand-signed 62-year-old bottles while The Dalmore 62-year-old Scotch is probably really hard to come by you can also try some of the brand's other high-quality Scotches ranging from 10 to 50 years old and costing anything from double digit prices to the mid-five figures Looking for a taste of The Dalmore goodness without the price tag What happens when you combine a really good vodka with a decanter that's crafted by Lalique although this one is in closer reach than some of the super-expensive Russian vodkas a true bargain when it comes right down to it Beluga released only 1,000 of these limited-edition decanters which were crafted by the legendary French crystal maker Lalique The decanters are mouth-blown and hand-crafted and each is engraved with a serial number on the bottom even if you drink the ultra-premium vodka inside the decanter you'll still have a beautiful bottle to store one of Beluga's other much more affordable (but still premium) vodkas Those will set you back anywhere from about $50 up to a few hundred bucks If you're going to drop $1.5 million on a bottle of rum it might as well be part of a whole experience That's the concept behind Dictador's M-City Golden Cities Series the Colombian distiller started this bespoke invite-only program that flew a select few to Colombia where they were able to create their own rare blend of rum most people would probably want more than a trip and a distilling experience 24-karat gold bottle that features a city map of their choice The result is a truly one-of-a-kind rum in a one-of-a-kind bottle Dictador makes a number of other high-quality rums that range anywhere from about $50 into the thousands Mix a few of those together and wrap a bottle in gold foil and you'll have saved a ton while still getting your own one-of-a-kind rum experience that doesn't require you to mortgage your house Japan's whisky market is giving Scotland's a run for its money when it comes to single-malt whisky and as the world starts to recognize just how good Japanese single malts can be Not to be left out of the world's most expensive spirits is The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky 55-Year the whisky is a blend of single malts — one distilled in 1960 and aged in Mizunara casks and the other distilled in 1964 and aged in white oak and care taken in its production are what contribute to its high price which ranges from around $400,000 to $700,000 If you're looking for something a little less expensive (but not by much) from the House of Suntory the Hibiki 40-Year will only set you back mid-five figures you can pick up a still excellent The Yamazaki 12-Year whisky for under $200 Russo-Baltique vodka made one of the world's most expensive vodkas at about $1.3 million Just over 600 bottles were made with premium vodka housed in a gold and silver bottle (the real stuff not just the colors) and partly enrobed in leather from a rally car from Monte Carlo But it's one bottle that got a bunch of attention because it was stolen from the Danish bar where it was kept It was discovered (unfortunately empty) a few days later at a construction site The premium vodka was created by car manufacturer Russo-Baltique to celebrate its 100-year anniversary While the original precious metal bottles aren't available except on secondary markets reproductions are available in gold-colored glass for only about $12.50 USD Surprise, surprise — the most expensive bottle of liquor ever sold is a limoncello. There are only two known bottles of D'Amalfi Limoncello Supreme and their estimated worth is in the $44 million range it's the stunning diamonds adorning the bottle that account for its off-the-charts price tag There are three 13-carat diamonds around the bottle's neck Combine that with the absolute rarity of this particular bottle of Italian liquor and you have a record breaker with a price that's as pucker-inducing as the sweet citrus liqueur it contains Nobody really knows since the owners of the bottles remain unnamed — one commissioned a single bottle Rémy Cointreau has reported a sharp recovery in US Cognac sales for the first quarter with trade tensions and leadership change looming A glimmer of hope in Rémy Cointreau’s sales for the first three months of this year It says US sales of Cognac “rebounded sharply” and its shares rose by almost 2% in Paris this morning reflects a disastrous period in the same quarter last year and was in sharp contrast to the group’s fourth quarter fall in overall sales compared with analysts’ predictions of a 17.9% decline Cognac accounts for about 70% of overall sales and it is also facing difficult times in China the Rémy Martin brand has been hard hit by China’s import deposit scheme and the effective closing of the duty-free market While Rémy Cointreau has stuck steadfastly to protecting its margins and refusing to apply heavy discounts in the US market (as opposed to LVMH’s Hennessy stable) it says its action plan for the cheapest version of Rémy Martin Cognac Last year the company launched a €50 million (US$57 million) cost saving programme to protect margins. As a result of the latest figures, Rémy Cointreau has left unchanged its annual and longer-term guidance up to 2029-30. It expects to resume progress towards high single-digit sales growth from its next financial year onwards. Despite the US sales improvement, Cognac could still be the victim of the trade war between Washington and Brussels. President Trump has threatened 50% tariffs, which have been stalled for 90 days. That said, some analysts believe that even with the difficulties in its two largest markets, Rémy Cointreau may have reached the bottom of its decline over the past two years. One said that these early signs of recovery “could have legs” if the consumer environment in the U.S. does not deteriorate further. A further hurdle to be overcome is the replacement of CEO Eric Vallat, who has resigned and will leave the company in the summer. Your email address will not be published. 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This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. reduced the annual production limit for a third straight year to just half the levels of 2022 citing a "strongly deteriorated economic environment and an unprecedented drop in global consumption.""We're only at the beginning of the crisis," said Jerome Sourriseau a local politician and president of the group of municipalities formed by the villages around Cognac.Unemployment is on the rise since cognac houses and suppliers stopped hiring short-term workers employ roughly 70,000 people in the region.Some winemakers too."We've already had customers tell us the same night that they need to review the orders they've already placed reducing volumes by the amount of tariffs they will likely have to pay" said general manager Jerome Schmitt."SPECIAL BOND"In the United States cognac has a "special bond" with the Black community Black American soldiers discovered the drink during World War II and brought it home before cognac brands led by Hennessy started heavily advertising in the 1990s and 2000s.In 2012 rapper Jay-Z established the Cognac d'Usse brand in partnership with Bacardi while Hennessy struck a sponsorship deal with the NBA basketball league in 2021.But even before trade tensions largely due to aggressive price hikes in recent years affecting middle-class consumers said Thomas Mesmin of Paris-based luxury consultancy MAD."Not only did Americans start to drink less cognac but they also switched their consumption attitudes towards other spirits like tequila and whiskey."While most high-end cognacs are exported to Asia business is dominated by less expensive bottles and mass-selling brands like Hennessy so far failed to broaden their consumer base Mesmin said."It's only a certain part of the population in just a few cities," he said.Industry president Morillon predicted cognac would lose market share in the U.S. and producers would be unable to pass on the full cost of tariffs to consumers there."It's up to each house to decide but we know today that in the current context even if you just increase by 1 or 2 dollars this can lead to disruption," he said.Fourth-generation grower Pascale Dupuy said he would likely distill less this season and sell more grapes to bulk buyers making cheap wine to limit his losses."One more problem added to the pile" when asked about the trade tensions with the United States.Dupuy said major cognac brand Remy Martin has already cut its contracts with him by almost half and he expects Hennessy will also buy considerably less leading to a 40% decrease in his expected revenues this year The companies did not respond to a request for comment.With his daughter showing no interesting in taking on the struggling business Dupuy said he would likely be the last generation of cognac makers in his family."You start questioning if it's still worth it," he added.($1 = 0.9097 euros)Reporting by Tassilo Hummel additional reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide; Editing by Daniel Flynn Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Tassilo is based in Paris and covers the luxury sector, its main players and trends. He previously wrote about French politics and business, EU institutions and NATO. , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved You might be wondering what cognac, hip-hop and fame have in common. The answer, at least in a recent opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, is certification trademarks. We have written in the past about certification marks and how they differ from trademarks trademarks indicate the source of goods or services a swoosh on sneakers indicates they originate with Nike while certification marks indicate a product's compliance with a standard that may be related to geography (Idaho potatoes) quality (Woolmark) or characteristics of production (union label) Cognac is a grape brandy that comes from the Cognac region of France and conforms to standards enforced in part by the French government it has long been recognized as a common-law certification mark which indicates a combination of geographic origin Only brandies that meet those standards are legally permitted to use the COGNAC mark through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau under 27 C.F.R But what about using COGNAC for non-alcohol-related goods or services depending on whether the certification mark is famous a fundamental legal error by the Board was its requirement that the public recognition and renown of a certification mark must relate to its "certification status" or "function" as a certification mark consumers recognized the goods as being certified rather than for other indicators such as geographic origin the court held that a certification mark "need not be famous for all of its indications and it need not be famous for its certification function." Instead the Board was required to consider whether Cognac was "famous as an indicator of its geographic origin." The court also disagreed with the Board's consideration of the evidence offered by the Opposers to establish the fame of the COGNAC mark despite recognizing that "Cognac" was "a popular spirit in the United States with impressive sales" and that "the record [was] replete with use of the term 'cognac' … in articles including from some well-known publications," the Board rejected this evidence because it did not "provide sufficient support for an unequivocal conclusion" that the COGNAC mark was famous the Board reasoned that the evidence was either based on the certified users' branded products' sales and advertisements (e.g. HENESSEY and REMY MARTIN) or the use of COGNAC on the products or in advertisements and news articles was often inconspicuous compared to the product trademarks or used with a lowercase "c." the court found that it was legal error for the Board to require "unequivocal" evidence that the sales were driven by the certification mark as opposed to any accompanying house or product marks certification marks are only used on third-party products they will often be used with a house brand or product trademark They may also appear in an inconspicuous manner compared to such brands or trademarks; thus or lack thereof," of a certification mark should not be determinative of fame based on "context-specific evidence," whether some portion of the sales and advertising evidence should be attributed to the COGNAC mark the court found that the very evidence relied on by the Board to show that COGNAC was not famous because of its inconspicuous use or placement appeared to show the opposite – the consistent and frequent use of COGNAC irrespective of or without the mention of a house brand or product mark The court concluded that setting aside the legal errors related to the Board's fame analysis these factual inconsistencies show that the conclusion that COGNAC was not famous was not supported by substantial evidence Though it may be counterintuitive that an unregistered certification mark for a certain type of spirit may block the use by a hip-hop record label of a similar mark for music entertainment services Companies should take care to evaluate the potential strength of any similar certification marks even those for wholly disparate goods or services Failing to do so could result in a branding hangover much worse than diluting your finest Cognac Because the Federal Circuit vacated and remanded the Board's decision dismissing the Opposers' opposition it remains to be seen whether COGNAC will be the first unregistered certification mark found to be famous – and how any such fame may impact the Board's likelihood of confusion analyses the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac has in the meantime applied to register COGNAC as a certification mark for "grape brandy distilled in the Cognac region of France in compliance with the laws of the French government." Apart from its connection to this case the application is notable for a "first use anywhere" date of 1643 and a "first use in commerce" date of 1794 1 Bureau Nat'l Interprofessionnel Du Cognac & Institut Nat'l Des Appellations D'origine this finding was the opposite of a prior 1998 Board decision that found that the COGNAC certification mark "would fall on the very strong end of the spectrum of fame for purposes of the likelihood of confusion analysis…" Institut Nat'l Des Appellations D'origine v 2 110 F.4th 1356 Please note that email communications to the firm through this website do not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm Do not send any privileged or confidential information to the firm through this website Click "accept" below to confirm that you have read and understand this notice Pete Rising in this year\u2019s Best of the Bay Awards By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Learn more The owners behind the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro near Beach Drive, Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, have debuted their newest dining destination in downtown St. Pete — Cognac The Parisian-style bistro opened earlier this month at 201 2nd Avenue North occupying the space formerly home to Dirty Shirley which closed less than a year after opening in 2023 Cognac offers a menu inspired by traditional French cuisine featuring dishes such as caviar and Croque Madame along with a bar specializing in craft cocktails “Cognac will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections,” Guillot said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising who has been with Bacchus since its opening leading the kitchen operations and menu creation Cognac features indoor and outdoor seating with a coverd dining patio | cognac Located next to the Sundial shopping and dining complex and less than two blocks from Bacchus Cognac distinguishes itself with a full liquor bar and seating for up to 50 guests Brunch and lunch services will launch at a later date The majority of entrees range from $30 to $50 and desserts are available at a lower price point Diners can indulge in refined French cuisine beginning with small plates such as caviar—offering Pink Trout Roe ($45) or Hackleback ($90); Escargots de Bourgogne baked with parsley butter; Soupe de Poisson and French crostini; shrimp cocktail; or grilled seafood options including sardines Cognac’s bar features classic cocktails like the French 75 | cognac Main courses include surf-and-turf selections a prime 10-ounce sirloin with green peppercorn sauce; Escalope de Poulet Grillé a grilled chicken breast with Dijon mustard; and Saumon en Papillote the Le Pêcheur menu—meaning “the angler” or “the fisherman”—features Atlantic salmon and béchamel sauce; and the La Croque Madame which includes the same ingredients as the Monsieur with the addition of a sunny-side-up egg such as the Cognac Romaine Salade à la Lyonnaise The drink menu includes draft and bottled selections from local breweries Signature cocktails include classics like the Espresso Martini Cognac offers handcrafted mocktails such as a Sparkling Raspberry Rose Cocktails and mocktails are priced between $10 and $14 Cognac is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday Be sure to follow Cognac on Instagram for the latest menu offerings Want to be the first to know what’s coming soon to the Sunshine City Sign up to receive the latest news straight to your inbox Contact - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy© 2024 St Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Martell cognac at a supermarket in Hangzhou Cognac producers are being blocked from distributing the French brandy through duty-free channels in China in an apparent escalation of the tariff battle between Beijing and the European Union Enjoyed by French royalty and European nobility for centuries it is still often seen as a symbol of wealth and status to share with us their favorite cognacs and what makes the spirit special Best Napoléon: François Voyer's Napoléon Cognac – See at Cognac Experts Cognac is a style of French brandy distilled from fermented grapes production must abide by a series of rules set by the French government known as the appellation d'origine contrôlée and all of the grapes used for production are grown in specific regions known as Crus Cognac must be distilled twice using copper pot stills is required to be aged for a minimum of two years in barrels made of French oak Cognacs are sorted by grades that tell the minimum length for which each cognac was aged: Distilled entirely from grapes from the Borderies region "It's incredibly easy to enjoy with those lovely distinctive floral notes that only eau-de-vies from Borderies can provide," says Marshall This cognac is blended from barrels aged around 10 to 15 years "It's a wonderful overall cognac," says Cyr "The nose has hints of violet and the palate has notes of butterscotch and bananas foster." you can't go wrong reaching for Ferrand's Selection des Anges "Not an everyday cognac at this price point," says Marshall and fitting for a special occasion."  "It's an absolutely gorgeous bottle," says Cyr Aged for around 25-35 years and bottled at a slightly higher ABV than the standard 40% It has an aroma reminiscent of candied walnut and roses with flavor notes of dark coffee This premium expression from top cognac house Martell is fruity and smooth — just what you would expect from a heavily aged it's also the base spirit for a handful of classic cocktails it's important that the spirit is bold enough to hold its own among the other ingredients "It's intensely fragrant and relatively affordable," says Cyr.  The Camus VSOP's strong floral and fruity aroma along with flavors of raisin and baking spice makes it a perfect complement to any ingredients it may be mixed with but still works well in cocktails," says Marshall there's no more recognizable bottle than Hennessy VS.  "It's a classic," says Cyr Everyone knows it." The label states that this cognac is "Very Special," but that has nothing to do with its rarity — it actually shows that Hennessy is aged for a minimum of 2 years Hennessy is a well-made and approachable cognac and clove are bolstered by an aroma of almond and grape VSOP stands for "Very Superior Old Pale," and there isn't much out there that's older or more superior than this cognac "It's a very high-quality cognac from a very old producing house," says Cyr the Frapin family has been producing cognac in France since 1270 "There is a backbone within the Frapin range which makes it perfect for those who prefer a leaner style of cognac," says Marshall This Grande Champagne expression has a nose of gingerbread and hazelnut the grade refers to the minimum age requirement for each eau-de-vie that goes into the bottle Some producers choose to use more mature cognacs than necessary the average age of each barrel is 14-20 years old instead of the minimum 6-year requirement "[Francois Voyer is] another under-the-radar house worth seeking out The aging process gives this bottle a deep and smooth flavor of hazelnut and spice that's adorned with an aroma of roses The House of Prunier is famous for the cellars in which they barrel-age their cognac They've produced multiple award-winning cognacs and this Extra Old expression is among their best.  "They're doing something right," says Cyr.  It showcases a hint of vanilla and toffee on the nose with a rich flavor profile of dark chocolate Distilled from grapes of both Petit and Grande Champagne and aged to perfection it's one of the most iconic premium cognacs for a reason — it's balanced For the ones we were lucky enough to sample and flavor of each cognac in its purest state.  Cocktails: After narrowing down our top picks we took the cognacs we considered to be the best mixers and made two cocktails We assessed each based on how well each cognac fit the broadly understood flavor profile of each drink and how well the spirit worked with the other ingredients Mark Littler is a whisky consultant covering all aspects of whiskyFollow AuthorApr 30 09:57am EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Graphik"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/graphik/graphik-bold.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/graphik/graphik-bold.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: 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p{font-size: 36px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .color-accent{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Graphik,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-size{font-size: 26px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Graphik,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}Louis XIII is undeniably superb New York’s Brandy Library has become the place to be after hours in the city but you may be surprised to know that you won’t be able to get a pour of the world’s most prestigious Cognac I spoke to Brandy Library’s founder Flavien Desoblin to find out more about his exclusive bar and discover why he’s banned Louis XIII Cognac from the shelves In Lower Manhattan's Moore Street, Brandy Library has become the go to destination for those after a quieter spot to unwind and connect It’s a carefully designed venue that glows with the ambient lighting from walls lined with around 1,500 bottles of spirit from across the world This impressive collection has been curated by the library to offer an unrivaled opportunity to explore new and existing favourites Over 1,500 bottles line the shelves at Brandy Library offering everything from obscure Scotch and vintage Armagnac to underrated American bourbon gems The group sizes are limited to six—although larger groups can request to book a private party or experience—and the ambience is very much reminiscent of a library The hushed and respectful tone revered for a selection of spirits although you can also get a glass of wine or beer if that’s your preference You might expect brandy to be their most popular spirit or a scotch thanks to its increasingly premium reputation but Desoblin explains that bourbon has reestablished itself as the drink to be seen with “The resurgence of Bourbon started as a necessity during the 2008/09 financial crisis,” Desoblin said over an email exchange with me “Businessmen would come in but couldn't spend corporate money on the previous go-to Macallan 18 What started as an act of active patriotism eventually was loved for its defining qualities going back to what the grandparents were drinking the former stockbroker and financial criminal whose memories were recreated in the film The Wolf of Wall Street was a regular at Brandy Library although Desoblin says they didn’t know who he was until after the movie Despite its proximity to New York’s Financial District Brandy Library isn’t solely focused on the corporate side Desoblin explains his library setting is perfect for “dates who want to see what's really inside each other's mind in a quiet and calm environment when you easily lose track of time.” I felt it was a must to ask about the elephant in the room—or lack of it—the Louis XIII Cognac Louis XIII is arguably the pinnacle of luxury cognacs The price of a bottle starts around $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the edition and it’s the crown of Rémy Martin's portfolio This exceptional brandy combines up to 1,200 different eaux-de-vie that are aged for decades—some reaching a century—and presented in a handcrafted crystal decanter Despite its renowned quality and striking design at the Brandy Library they have deliberately chosen not to stock Louis XIII Louis XIII Cognac is nowhere to be found at Brandy Library I find the interaction of luxury lifestyle and spirits fascinating so I had to ask Desoblin what drove their decision “There’s no argument that Louis XIII quality is superb But I was tired of witnessing ice cubes thrown into it as it was consumed just for status There are plenty of similarly exquisite Cognacs for a fraction of the price Sometimes it is nice to have something you are familiar with but equally if you have access to somewhere like Brandy Library with the selection and expert guidance it can be just as enjoyable to be steered toward something new I asked Desoblin what he considered overlooked in their vast selection of spirits His answer is as succinct as his selection is vast: “Heaven Hill bottled-in-bond 7 years bourbon and Glen Moray single malt scotch.” Flavien Desoblin calls Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Years one of the bar’s hidden gems—a no-frills bourbon that proves great taste doesn’t need a big price tag Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Years is a traditional Kentucky bourbon adhering to strict requirements—100 proof aged at least four years and produced in a single distilling season The 7-year expression represents the distillery's commitment to their production methods while delivering a robust Glen Moray is a Speyside distillery that is often overlooked in favour of some of its more infamous neighbours Established in 1897 Glen Moray creates whiskies that typically showcase the lighter They are also a fraction of the price of the better known speyside single malts which can often make people a bit more open minded about trying something new If Kentucky bourbon or a fruity speyside scotch are the right choice for your palate the expert team at Brandy Library would be more than happy to offer a suggestion Just make sure you book your table in advance for the full experience Exports of Cognac fell by 10.6% in value last year due to a decline for VSOP and XO expressions in the wake of China’s anti-dumping investigation Trade body the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) noted that the value of Cognac shipments fell to €3 billion (US$3.1bn) in 2024 the volume of Cognac exported rose slightly by 0.4% in 2024 to 166 million bottles The BNIC mainly attributed the discrepancy between volume and value variation to a ‘significant’ rise in shipments of younger Cognacs (up by 13.7% across all countries) while VSOP and XO declined by 8.6% and 26.4% The BNIC said this was the result of China’s anti-dumping investigation targeting imports of Cognac from the EU. The investigation launched on 5 January 2024 and was due to last for one year. But last month, the investigation was extended until 5 April 2025 there was a mixed performance for Cognac exports in 2024 which includes China – Cognac’s largest market by value and the second biggest in volume – the category’s exports declined by 16% in 2024 Cognac shipments to the Far East plunged by 24.2% to €1.12bn (US$1.16bn) last year The BNIC said this decrease was largely due to the ‘sluggish recovery of the Chinese economy’ with a ‘significant’ decline seen from October to December Cognac exports to China plummeted by 23.8% in value and by 9.6% in volume last year Exports to Europe dropped by 3.8% in volume with 31.6m bottles shipped but value rose by 4.4% to reach €461m (US$478.5m) The BNIC highlighted a major increase in the UK which maintained its position as the fifth-largest export market with 7.8m bottles North America performed better with a 15.3% increase in volume to 70.6m bottles The continent’s volume gain was linked to the ‘positive trend of the American economy’ and stock reduction efforts made throughout the year The BNIC also spotlighted South Africa as a growing market for Cognac with a 26.7% increase in volume and a 24.1% rise in value last year securing its position as the category’s fourth-biggest export market in 2024 China’s investigation into brandy exports has had a major impact on some of the world’s biggest Cognac brands Rémy Cointreau’s Cognac sales between April and December 2024 plummeted by 19% after a ‘marked decline’ in China Sales of Pernod Ricard’s Martell Cognac plunged by 25% during the last half of 2024 with the brand contributing to around 90% of the total group net revenue decline The wine and spirits arm of LVMH, Moët Hennessy, cited Cognac as a main factor for the division’s 8% sales drop in the group’s 2024 full year In 2023, exports of French spirits declined by double digits in both volume and value due to destocking by wholesalers in the US Cognac was down by 21.1% in volume and by 14.8% in value in 2023 a high-end brandy produced in western France.Without a resolution of the trade row these measures could become definitive next month President Trump last week threatened to slap a 200% tariff on wine cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe."200% would mean we won't sell one single bottle in the United States," Morillon said Cognac exports to the country last year amounted to around 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) the BNIC said on Wednesday.($1 = 0.9173 euros)Reporting by Tassilo Hummel Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Joe Bavier REMY COINTREAU : "Liqueurs segment offsets Cognac weakness keeping Rémy Cointreau in line with consensus" Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions COMMUNITY PARTNER Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today. 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You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told journalists the investigation had been postponed by three months China has reportedly postponed concluding its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy products According to reports from news outlets Bloomberg and Reuters on Friday (28 March) France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told journalists during a trip to China the completion of the probe had been delayed three months “This measure should give us a few months’ breathing space with the reopening of duty-free sales of Cognac and Armagnac which represent a significant volume of sales for some brands,” he said in emailed comments to Bloomberg In January China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it had extended its anti-dumping probe of brandy originating from the EU by three months The investigation, launched on 5 January 2024 and initially due to last one year have been unable to sell in duty-free channels for some time Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis following the early release of Pernod Ricard’s first-half results CFO Hélène de Tissot said the company had seen a “worsening situation” in China linked to the “technical suspension of the duty-free regime impacting travel retail [in] Asia China duty free and Cognac in China duty free” When contacted by Just Drinks on the latest reports France’s national Cognac trade body Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) said it had noted the announcement to the press It added: “We need to study in more detail the feedback we will receive from the French government very shortly.” The latest news does not mean existing tariffs on brandy are removed China’s commerce ministry imposed “provisional dumping measures” on imports of EU-origin brandy companies importing products including brandy have had to pay a security deposit to Chinese authorities upon arrival The sum of the deposit is equivalent to tariffs recommended by the commerce ministry in August following the release of a preliminary report of its investigation The probe has been assessing dumping allegations made between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023 for EU brandy imported in containers of under 200 litres Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Drinks Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) -French spirits group Remy Cointreau on Wednesday flagged a "steep recovery" in the critical U.S market that has dragged on performance for over a year sending its shares up more than 5% even as its fourth-quarter sales missed forecasts I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the worldFollow AuthorJan 18 06:00am ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-light-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-regular-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-regular-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-size{font-size: 54px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}A snifter of Cognac before a glowing fire Cognac is among the world’s most expensive spirits That’s especially true of ultra-aged expressions that matured for decades The leading Cognac producers are among the beverage industry’s best-known brands and command a global footprint Less well-known are the scores of small “artisan” producers Their products can often be challenging to find but they offer outstanding Cognacs at a fraction of the price charged by the larger Cognac houses Below is a brief overview of Cognac and its artisan producers Cognac is a globally renowned French brandy produced in Southern France’s Charente and Charente-Maritime departments The Cognac AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) comprises six distinct growing regions (crus) with unique soil compositions and characteristics Grand Champagne’s vineyards cover approximately 13,159 hectares/32,900 acres They contain shallow clay-limestone soils over soft Cretaceous chalk with limestone content typically exceeding 60% light eaux-de-vie to craft elegant cognacs with exceptional aging potential Petite Champagne’s vineyards cover approximately 15,246 hectares/38,115 acres Its soils resemble Grande Champagne but with more compact slightly less refined than Grande Champagne's Borderies vineyards cover approximately 4,000 hectares/10,000 acres It consists of clay and flint soils resulting from limestone decomposition smooth cognacs with floral and nutty aromas They mature faster than Champagne’s and are often used in blends to enhance complexity Fins Bois’ vineyards cover approximately 31,200 hectares/78,000 acres The soils are Jurassic era clay-limestone and red clay intermingled with large stones fruity eaux-de-vie that age relatively quickly and have a bouquet reminiscent of freshly pressed grapes Bons Bois’ vineyards cover approximately 9,300 hectares/23,250 acres often used in blends; they age more rapidly and have a distinctive terroir character Bois Ordinaires’ vineyards cover approximately 1,066 hectares/2,665 acres They consist almost exclusively of sandy soils along the coast and on islands like Ré and Oléron It produces fast-aging eaux-de-vie with a characteristic maritime flavor These diverse soil compositions shape the distinct characteristics and quality of the cognacs produced in each appellation oldest Cognacs typically come from Grand Champagne and VSOP expressions are predominantly drawn from the ‘Bois’ appellations Although chalk is predominantly found in the Grande Champagne and Petit Champagne outcroppings occur in all the appellations Ugni Blanc accounts for over 95% of plantings due to its disease resistance Historic varieties like Folle Blanche and Colombard are occasionally used for added nuance and complexity but they largely disappeared in the wake of the Phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century buying eaux-de-vie from smaller producers and producing eaux-de-vie from their vineyards these ‘Big Four’ represent around 85% to 90% of Cognac sales The second tier consists of around two dozen producers These producers typically have a global footprint although smaller than the “Big Four” and vary by market though their market penetration differs considerably The third tier of Cognac producers consists of several hundred ‘artisinal producers.’ These are smaller Most of their sales are within France and the rest of Europe Many artisan producers sell eaux-de-vie to the larger producers A selection of Cognac Ranging from the Big Four to Artisan Producers Artisanal cognac production is centered around small-scale producers who uphold traditional methods to craft unique and high-quality expressions The artisanal production sector has several characteristics: Small-Scale Vineyards: Artisanal producers often own or lease small vineyards allowing them to maintain control over the quality of the grapes Vineyards are typically in highly regarded crus Focus on Terroir: These producers emphasize terroir’s influence on the grapes—the soil Subtle differences in terroir result in distinct flavor profiles Traditional Harvesting and Distillation: Grapes are hand-harvested to ensure optimal ripeness and quality The production process parallels larger producers Long-Term Aging: Artisanal producers often age their cognacs well beyond the minimum legal requirements They routinely age a portion of their Cognacs for multi-generational periods viewing this inventory as a pension plan for their retirement Innovative Blending: Vintage Cognacs are unusual because the requirements to certify a vintage bottling are cumbersome artisan bottlings are more likely to reflect vintage characteristics as they are blended from fewer eaux-de-vie An ultra-aged Cognac from a major producer is typically blended from hundreds Artisan producers typically blend from a handful of eaux-de-vie or are de facto single-vineyard expressions If an ultra-aged expression is like a symphony with each eaux-de-vie representing a single note then artisan bottlings are more like a string quartet or a solo performance Barrels of maturing Cognac at the Otard Distillery in Cognac Below is a brief overview of several artisan Cognac producers I recently visited It’s only a small selection from the hundreds of artisan producers Cognac Bertrand is a family-owned estate in the heart of the Petite Champagne region It spans 82 hectares/205 acres and cultivates Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes the latter of which is the most interesting this cognac features a layered complexity of floral It’s smooth and creamy with a pronounced palate weight expressing dried and stewed fruit Heritage: A limited edition 50 YO+ cognac distilled in the early 20th century on wood-fired stills It’s balanced and remarkably well-integrated it’s an exceptional value for a style of Cognac that has virtually disappeared Visitors to the estate can explore the vineyards and taste the authentic and rare products crafted by the Bertrand family Cognac Pasquet is a family-owned 15-hectare/37.5-acre estate in the tiny township of Éraville in Grande and Petite Champagne dating back to 1730 they earned Agriculture Biologique certification in 1998 Cognac Pasquet offers a range of expressions: L'Organic 07: Aged for at least 7 years It’s chewy and viscous with a pronounced palate weight L'Organic 10: This XO Cognac has been aged for at least 10 years and perfectly balances fruit It features a complex bouquet of dried stone and tropical fruits Trésors de Famille: is a series of ultra-aged single-barrel releases from the Grande Champagne cru The selection varies but includes Cognacs up to 60+ YO The 1957 selection featured slightly cooked vegetative notes It’s mildly peppery with a candied sweetness Cognac Pasquet's dedication to organic farming and traditional production methods results in authentic expressions that reflect Grande Champagne's unique terroir Their range caters to enthusiasts and connoisseurs seeking quality and character in their Cognac Cognac vineyard in the French Charente region Cognac François Voyer is a family-owned Cognac House dating back to the mid-19th century It encompasses 28 hectares/70 acres of vineyards in Grande Champagne near the villages of Verrières and Ambleville Cognac François Voyer offers a range of expressions each showcasing the unique characteristics of their Grande Champagne terroir: this Cognac presents delicate floral notes typical of Grande Champagne Gold XO: A blend of eaux-de-vie aged between 20 and 35 years It delivers a complex profile of dried orchard Extra: A luxurious blend of eaux-de-vie aged between 36 and 59 years offering profound depth with flavors of dried stone and tropical fruits Hors d’Âge: Matured between 47 and 76 years this exceptional Cognac exhibits a rich tapestry of flavors including dried/cooked stone/tropical fruits It showcases the pinnacle of Voyer's craftsmanship François Voyer's dedication to traditional methods and meticulous attention to detail have earned their Cognacs a place in some of France's finest Michelin-starred restaurants artisanal cognac producers are gaining recognition These small-scale producers continue to attract attention for their dedication to quality ensuring a vibrant future for artisanal cognac If you love Cognac and are unfamiliar with the world of artisanal Cognac Photos: NFL Hall of Famer with Savannah ties has Cognac brandSavannah Morning NewsShannon Sharpe was recently in Savannah signing bottles of his Le Portier Shay VSOP Luxury Cognac Sharpe launched his cognac brand, Le Portier who raised him and instilled in him a "tireless work ethic and drive for success." But why did he start a cognac "So much of the inspiration in my life comes from the places I've been, and people I've met through professional football," Sharpe said in a news release at the time 'What if I could share that sense of connection and conversation with friends with everyone?' That's the reason for creating Le Portier Cognac." More: NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe signs bottles of his luxury cognac for fans in Savannah More: Drink of a champion: Pro Football Hall of Famer with Savannah ties has a cognac brand CFO Cécile Cabanis reflected on the global trading environment noting: “I think we all need to stay very calm.” As a trusted provider of data and insights Just Drinks collaborates closely with industry leaders and professionals to offer unique thought leadership and analysis Gain a deeper understanding of the apparel industry’s trajectory and the priorities shaping the profession Subscribe to unlock exclusive content Already a subscriber? Sign in to access your account View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. and could also cut costs in areas such as manufacturing and advertising spending.It has no plans to relocate its bottling line a company spokesperson said.The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac has repeatedly urged the French government to negotiate a solution to protect the cognac industry."Some houses may be forced to explore all options that would enable them to maintain the presence of the appellation on the Chinese market," it said in a statement on Monday.Reporting by Alban Kacher; Additional reporting by Dominique Patton and Emma Rumney; Editing by David Evans A distiller checks the condensers during the second distillation at a distillery in Touzac Cognac makers are urging the French government to engage in talks with China to resolve bilateral trade tensions that have led to monthly losses of €50 million ($52 million) for the industry. Additional reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Barbara Lewis Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Makini Brice 2025 at 6:04 AM ESTBookmarkSaveFrench Cognac shipments to China slid by 75% in December according to a person familiar with the figures after tariffs imposed by Beijing accelerated a collapse in demand The new levies have made a visible impact on French Cognac exports dragging down shipments to China by 9.6% for the full year a representative for the Cognac lobby BNIC said Tuesday by email including those from wooden barrels used for making cognac Take a look at the best dressed celebrities from the 2025 Met Gala, themed as an homage to Black dandyism. See every red carpet look from fashion's biggest night.  The 34-year-old multihyphenate artist collaborated with longtime friend Ruth E. Carter on the custom ensemble that quickly earned her a spot on the night's best dressed list. Surprise! Rihanna revealed her latest pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala.  The one of four Met Gala co-chairs arrived with a trick up his sleeve. Anna Wintour famously has the final word on who gets to join fashion's biggest night, and after a tense exchange in 2024, Naomi Campbell may not be back for 2025. The stylist and image architect talks fashion ahead of the Met Gala, plus some of his favorite ways to use Vaseline for a red carpet. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker and cofounder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey—is in the legacy-cementing business.Photograph by Pat MartinAll products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Let’s talk about some of the things you do to center yourself I read that you and your husband have a standing daily coffee date: Weaver coffee hour What does this new Weaver ritual look like? We always start with Uncle Nearest neat. We’re going back to work, so cocktails aren’t how we’re trying to start dinner. We’re literally just taking a break in our workday. We go through phases of what we’re drinking. Right now I’ve been on an 1884 kick. But Keith’s been stuck on our single-barrel whiskey ever since it came out. How has your approach to Uncle Nearest influenced your endeavor in cognac? How has this drive to understand it more fully led you to your new book Tuesday World Subscribers only Friedrich Merz bets on two private sector converts to revive the German economy and reform the state World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week 2025."> World Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz deemed 'absurd' in San Francisco World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'It is pointless to imagine a significant wave of American academics leaving' Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Opinion Subscribers only 'The trade war creates new opportunities for Europeans and France' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris France's cognac industry has sounded the alarm Its economy could collapse due to a potential border surtax of 39% which could be imposed by the Chinese authorities on April 5 followed by a 200% tariff from the Trump administration a few days later By Laurence Girard ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP The clock is ticking and the cognac industry is holding its breath China could decide to definitively impose import tariffs of 34-39% on the prized French brandy made in the Charente region – just as US President Donald Trump threatens a 200% tariff To say that tensions are running high in Charente would be an understatement the interprofessional group has sounded the alarm concerned that its voice is not being heard hopes rest on Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot's visit to Beijing on Thursday "Our shared objective is to find a swift resolution to this issue allowing us to focus our energy and efforts on building partnerships and investments for the future," the French foreign minister said in Beijing on Thursday "We would like him to ask for the application of customs duties to be postponed until July 5 and then for the prime minister [François Bayrou] to travel to China to settle the problem once and for all," said Florent Morillon president of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC a decision-making body for the cognac industry) You have 72.63% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial Buy This Booze words: Following a massive sales spike during the pandemic, Cognac has experienced a fairly significant downturn in the past few years amid an overall decline in spirits sales as well as fierce competition from other categories When comparing Cognac with other styles of spirits the world’s most prestigious brandy has a lot to offer — often at very competitive prices Consider that this is a spirit made from a raw material (grapes) that exhibits much more character and personality than That character is then bolstered by oak aging Not all producers opt to use those acronyms and as this collection of bottles will (hopefully) show age and labeling terms are only a small part of the story when it comes to quality Cognac expressions deserve to be thought of as sipping spirits bottles on this list spend two to three times the minimum 10 years in barrel Here are the 20 best Cognacs to drink right now Throughout the year, VinePair conducts dozens of tastings for our Buy This Booze product roundups highlighting the best bottles across the world’s most popular wine and spirits categories VinePair’s tasting and editorial staff samples thousands of bottles every year This helps us keep a finger on the pulse of what’s new and exciting it also provides us with the context needed to distinguish the simply good from the truly great — whether from a quality or value-for-money perspective VinePair’s mission is to offer a clear, reliable source of information for drinkers, providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking. Learn more about VinePair’s tastings and reviews department here We believe in tasting all products as our readers typically would: with full knowledge of the producer and — importantly — price Our tastings are therefore not conducted blind all expressions were sampled in Glencairn glasses and allowed to rest for a few minutes prior to tasting while we don’t typically take a spirit’s appearance into consideration — unless there’s an obvious flaw — in this case we did consider it That stems from the fact that Cognac houses can legally (and regularly do) include a number of additives some of which impact the final appearance of the spirit when it seemed obvious that a Cognac included a coloring agent we considered whether that existed for consistency purposes or to give the impression of greater time spent in barrel; that conclusion ultimately played into whether or not a product made the final list In order to provide our readers with the most comprehensive and thoroughly tested list of the best Cognacs to buy and PR firms working on their behalf to send samples for consideration These bottles were submitted free of charge — producers didn’t pay to submit nor did VinePair pay for the products All were requested with the clear understanding that submission does not guarantee inclusion in the final list we tasted 63 new submissions as well as almost a dozen bottles that had been sent to VinePair for prior iterations of this list we assigned a score to each product on a 100-point scale based on the quality and intensity of its aromas we reviewed all scores and compiled an editorially driven list that meets our criteria of the 20 best Cognacs to buy right now these are not the 20 highest-scoring bottles we tasted from this year’s submission and years prior this roundup features the best bottles across every price and for every scenario — i.e. our aim was to provide a complete overview of the myriad styles and expressions of Cognac that define the world’s most famous brandy-producing region bottlings alongside intricately aged and limited-production X.O releases that spirits geeks should go to great lengths to seek out We are confident that each bottle that made this final ranking delivers on flavor and complexity for each of their respective price points unofficial classification as an “all-rounder” requires the product to hold its own in — and not be too expensive for — cocktails while also showing enough character and elegance to be sipped neat or over ice In the case of Dudognon’s 10 year old “Reserve” release it’s hard to say which application is more attractive given it performs so well in both scenarios This expression is made entirely from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne region one of the six most prestigious Cognac crus The fermented must was distilled in alembic stills heated using charcoal and wood The final distillate received no additive other than water for proofing with stone fruits and golden raisins the most prominent notes on nose and palate while drying oak tannins leave the biggest impression on its lengthy finish The freshness of fruit character and attractive golden hue belie those 10 years spent in barrel and lead us to yearn for a taste of the 20- and 40-year expressions the Maison also offers Jean-Luc Pasquet Cognac “L’Organic 04” could also be considered an excellent “all-rounder.” Profile-wise it shares much in common with Dudognon’s “Reserve” — fruity throughout with an overall vibrant profile Things differ slightly when considering production specifics: This expression contains a blend of certified-organic grapes from the Grande Champagne (75 percent) and Petite Champagne (25 percent) regions and the twice Charentais-distilled spirit spent four years aging prior to bottling It is similarly additive free and bottled without chill filtration One of the major factors that leads us to recommend this as the best Cognac for cocktails: With an average price of $42 this is tied for the second-cheapest bottle included in this year’s roundup Not only does it overdeliver at that price and far outshine the similarly priced and cheaper samples we tasted this year this Cognac arrives with rich body and complex texture two factors that greatly impact the quality of mixed drinks Some other aspects we took into account when considering what makes a great Cognac for cocktails: Ideally the profile of the base ingredients and pre-aged distillate would shine through when sipped neat — i.e. have just as much if not more presence than the influence of aging and aging vessels That’s certainly the case with Jean-Luc Pasquet Cognac “L’Organic 04.” What that equates to in mixed drinks is fruit-forward energetic cocktails that immediately scream Cognac and aged eau-de-vie rather than just an oaky spirit mixed with modifiers and/or sweeteners and citrus this is not just a bottle that deserves a space on your bar cart Before exploring the bottle we’re highlighting in this category it’s best to define what we mean by “beginners” or indeed what makes a great Cognac for said group of drinkers Versatility and affordability could rightly be deemed among the most important considerations someone new to the category should expect to be able to utilize the Cognac in a number of different ways given that they’re taking something of a risk by exploring a new category Both of the bottles already included in this list cover those bases proficiently so we’re instead focusing on a bottle here that will more specifically appeal to drinkers looking to sip aged spirits for the first time or are more accustomed to sipping other styles of aged spirits though in the realm of aged spirits neither is that price exorbitant The brand offers little info when it comes to provenance of grapes we know that the youngest component in the final blend spent at least four years in barrel prior to bottling is either considerably older than that or — more likely — includes some additives that alter its color (and potentially flavor) which is allowed and common in this category it also goes a long way to explaining the final profile of this expression with just enough brightness of fresh fruit that duo of fruit and oak ensures this product will appeal to whiskey (especially bourbon and Tennessee whiskey) drinkers while also offering something new and novel and its celebrity association (Jay-Z owns part of the brand) raises another talking point when sharing with friends While images of Cognac snifters and cigar pairings feel somewhat dated in 2024 it’s also hard to ignore the prestige of this category of spirit Such realities were reflected in the pool of Cognacs considered for this roundup: More than half the bottles submitted and tasted from prior years’ submissions retail for more than $100 Cognac offers no shortage of options — and no shortage of worthy options That makes this perhaps the most hotly contested category in this year’s roundup which is reflected by the fact that this is also the highest-scoring bottle on this list grower-producer whose grapes are grown over nearly 600 acres of proprietary Ugni Blanc vineyards the Frapin family has been in the business for over 750 years its current team representing the 21st generation of the family meaning that — as of 2018 — the minimum age in the blend is 10 years old this is a 20-plus-year blend that strikes a stunning balance between richness light on its feet while also deeply contemplative and it promises to serve up something new with each and every visit to the glass This is not only the highest-scoring Cognac on this year’s list it is among the most enjoyable spirits we’ve sampled in 2024 Château Montifaud claims that the age of this V.S is higher than the two-year minimum for the classification arriving light golden in color and remarkably fruity Apple cider and pear aromas combine with honeysuckle on the nose with just a hint of tannins that help to elongate the finish offers an enjoyable mix of fruit and oak notes and confidently navigates cocktail occasions represents another younger expression from a brand we’ve previously reviewed and enjoyed an older That’s not to make an apples-to-apples comparison with Courvoisier’s V.S.O.P leans much more heavily into the fruity and fresh profile that the best younger Cognacs exhibit On show is a vibrant mix of summer berries While it’s on the slightly pricier end of the spectrum for cocktails we urge you to deploy this one in the mixing glass or shaker Maison Merlet distilled Cognac for major houses for over 160 years before deciding to finally bottle a product under its own name whose efforts are referenced in the “Brothers” name with more influence of oak arriving on the palate in the form of caramel sweetness A strong candidate for the “beginners” category bursting out of the gates with vanilla and cocoa aromas Fruit remains similarly in the backseat on the palate but the depth of flavors and introduction of toasted nuts and honeyed sweetness are a fine substitute while expressed orange and lemon peel on the finish round everything out While it’s great to highlight and celebrate quality base distillate, equal attention is owed to innovations with oak aging. We’ve previously celebrated Bache Gabrielsen’s “American Oak” release and this year we’re focusing on the producer’s “Triple Cask” expression which stems from a process that uses “three successive oak wood rotations and finished in seasoned casks,” according to the brand the result is a refined and oaky — but not overbearing — Cognac with pronounced notes of vanilla and fig cookies This is a fun and well-priced sipping spirit 100 percent of the grapes for this Cognac were grown in the Grande Champagne region with distillation taking place in Charentais stills and maturation in a mix of Limousin (predominantly) and Tronçais barrels and peach make up the majority of the nose with a notably rich texture and great depth of flavors Among the major names outside the “Big Four,” Hardy is a well-established and respected Cognac house and one that isn’t afraid to move with the times Farming practices remain less of a talking point in this category than they do with wine but Hardy is ahead of the mainstream curve while also serving luscious notes of vanilla and poached peaches it’s about 25 percent more expensive than the brand’s standard V.S.O.P. but we’d happily pay that premium for what is a noticeable jump in quality seek out this fabulous release from the vaunted Maison Ferrand Its name represents the family’s rich lineage in the Grande Champagne region while the profile leans heavy into hazelnut Fruit is not so much absent but instead an enjoyable supporting character Hine Rare is a noticeable standout out in the V.S.O.P with its striking bottle — one more commonly found in the X.O Fresh fruit aromas combine with decadent prunes and raisins on the nose while the palate delivers ample fresh fruit richness This Cognac was clearly made using high-quality grapes and treated with the utmost respect from grape to glass In recent years, Mizunara oak barrels have become something of a standalone brand in the realm of aged spirits almost as important as the base distillate that was aged or finished in them The Japanese oak’s influence can sometimes prove tough to pin down adding spiced sandalwood and light baking spice notes that complement a base profile of baked apple and delivering an experience quite unlike any other in the Cognac space An equal blend of eaux de vie from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne the minimum age in this bottling is a staggering 35 years old That’s not typical for releases in this age classification On offer here is a heady exploration of tertiary aromas and flavors as well as dried stone fruits and very subtle baking spices this might well be the best expression to pull it out for some of what you’re paying for here appears to be the packaging — though because the liquid inside is also exceptional Expressive autumn and winter spices open the nose while tannic grip adds textural complexity This is a great pick if you’re looking for a sipper that’s rich and nuanced offers no specifics on aging duration but it’s clear from its profile that it spent considerably more than the 10 years minimum in oak (in this case Limousin and Tronçais barrels) Subtle baking spices take center stage along with notes of potpourri and dried stone fruits while accents of fresh tobacco return the conversation to age Also notable is the uncommon blend of base grapes: Folle Blanche While the profile isn’t a million miles from standard Ugni Blanc expressions what is abundantly clear is the gracefulness with which this Cognac has aged Rémy Martin is a household name that benefits from vast stocks and centuries of institutional experience and knowledge expression — fancifully named “The Icon” — is a textbook example of heavily aged Cognac available at a large scale the focus is dialed in on the interplay of oak and base distillate — the latter of which arrives with surprising energy on the palate Dollops of oaky vanilla provide an enjoyable serving of perceived sweetness while French-oak-derived tannins add texture La Maison du Whisky’s line of “Through the Grapevine” Cognacs is a collection of single-barrel offerings (and a longtime favorite in the VinePair office) This expression from lauded producer Francois Voyer is fruit-forward and youthful up front leading to a finish that’s complex and layered By nature of the line’s single-cask credentials you might struggle to encounter this exact bottle but the words “Through the Grapevine” should be a strong signal to “Buy Now,” should you have the means stands for “Very Special (or Superior) Old Pale.” In V.S.O.P the youngest Cognac in the blend must be at least 4 years old or “Extra Old,” means the youngest in the blend is 10 years old Cognac is a style of brandy made in Cognac a delimited region to the north of Bordeaux The cheapest Cognac on this list is Château Montifaud V.S. which comes in at an average of $40 per bottle and delivers for both cocktails (primarily) as well as sipping Another much more widespread option is Courvoisier V.S.O.P. which retails for an average of $42 and should be available at most major retailers increasing in clarity as my flight approaches its landing Great plains of greenery and estuaries of water lie beneath as I rub my tired eyes and drown the last drops of a tepid black coffee where Gatwick waved me off 90 or so minutes earlier as the plane’s wheels touch down on the runway I’m in for quite the adventure in the next 48 hours.  “Hennessy is older than the USA,” my PR companion for the next two days tells me The iconic drinks brand is the reason for my visit—destination Cognac I’ll be receiving an in-depth tour of where it all began hundreds of years ago witnessing how the brand remains at the cutting edge of technology with their astounding VR experience checking out their visionary new Hennessy X.O Collection collaboration with esteemed French artist Florian Zumbrunn and—of course—taking in some of Cognac’s finest eateries.  The Maison sure knows how to woo a journalist Chauffeured up the Autoroute from Bordeaux airport in a classy and congenial Mercedes Benz as I’m beguiled by the vast hectares of vineyards that sprawl in every direction with cobbled streets and charmfully dilapidated buildings being our surroundings as the car nears the town’s centric river—and Hennessy HQ.  we step out into a light drizzle to be greeted by our hosts and escorted straight into a stylish dining room for a spot of well-needed lunch; an amalgamation of traditional hors d’oeuvres—beef tartare We’re eating in the building where it all began some 260 years ago in 1765 when Irish military officer and businessman Richard Hennessy first opened the estate’s doors and filled its barrels the empire has been passed down through eight generations of the brand’s eponymous family until the last of the dynasty died in the 1960s Hennessy looks beyond its bloodline for its ménage we join with a wider party of Cognac visitors for a formal tour of the properties A short bus ride takes us to the cellars just across the river where we are guided through a showcase of heritage There’s a fascinating video about the company’s origins covering all from Richard’s early motivations to the company’s later globalisation throughout the 19th century up until the modern identity of what we know as Hennessy today We’re given a detailed look at the actual production of the cognac which can only be made in this region due to the specifications of where the grape can be grown that requires layers of science that are beyond my immediate comprehension; a reminder of life’s gorgeous intricacy that’d be thanks to the distill committee Seven individuals who train their whole life to be among the most significant cogs in the Maison’s ever-turning machine who at 11am every day test the Cognac’s look As for the meticulous maintenance of the cognac all barrels are derived from oak at least 85 years old it’s time for a left-field turn—a recent augmentation the 19 minute odyssey is a trip-laden dive into the history and DNA of the brand inspired by Richard Hennessy’s own sketches from 1765 and brought to life by French artists Olivier Kuntzel & Florence Deygas The actuality of what is witnessed is tricky to put into words but just picture: storming down a monochrome cartoon river accompanied by a coterie of Michelin Man-looking fellas who are made out of barrels a gentler grounding through the cellars is much obliged as we marvel at boundless rooms full of seemingly endless barrels of eau-de-vie—the unblended and into the shop area for some tasting—finally We part ways with the wider group and depart straight off for some more Henny-related fun who make the barrels for the distilling of the alcohol passionate about a craft that he studied for years in order to undertake it as his profession He amiably takes us step-by-step through the multi-dimensional and highly difficult process even making the demonstration interactive as we give some of the simpler steps a go ourselves there’s more archaic barrels to look at checking out the founders cellar—an entrance into history seeing barrels of brandy that date back to 1800.  Following a look at the past, we take a glance at the future. The Maison’s new collaboration with Florian Zumbrunn was one of the main attractions of our visit a trailblazer in generative art who studied at Paris’ revered visual arts school Les Gobelins and whose works have been shown at exhibitions across the globe feels a natural choice for the groundbreaking concept one in which he immersed himself within from the very genesis of the collaboration “Hennessy approached me with a bold concept,” the artist told me in the days after my trip “Using a robot to draw directly on a Hennessy X.O’s second skin bottle shell making each of them completely unique and personalised I was immediately intrigued by the technical challenges and the innovation behind the project which fuelled my creativity.”   Although “collaborations aren’t something I jump into lightly,” Zumbrunn took a trip to Cognac cementing his respect for Hennessy and his desire to work alongside them “I learned about the Maison’s history one of the last traditional ones in Europe Seeing how eaux-de-vie are aged in barrels for years and then blended together was a revelation Multiple elements merge to create a single timeless blend—this directly inspired the generative approach for my series.”  The partnership saw Zumbrunn draw on his previous practice of the coalition between the physical and the digital “In my everyday practice in generative art I begin by working at my computer but finish in my studio,” he explains “I like to say I ‘paint with code,’ because I spend about 70% of my time at a keyboard exploring ideas and concepts much faster than I could with purely traditional methods I introduce a lot of randomness so that surprises happen and unexpected ideas emerge It’s a constant dialogue between the code and that blend of digital and physical approaches felt very natural for me personalised second skin cases of the iconic Hennessy X.O decanters along with fine art matching prints —two different mediums but both expressions of the same algorithm This duality is a new direction for me and a fascinating one and artists are constantly debating how best to represent it This collaboration offers fresh insights: maybe code is the ‘true source’ of everything yet its physical manifestations can be just as meaningful.” It’s a joy to witness in real life; the algorithmic process develops into a vibrant and unique bottle that buyers can take home built from a collaboration of forward-thinkers in their respective fields I want to build upon what came before while adding my own perspective and techniques Working with Hennessy felt like a natural fit: we’re both pushing boundaries yet we still honour the legacy that got us here.”  and after a busy day of learning and tasting Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa is a dazzling location sharp on the detail and luxurious in its decor and see out the evening chatting merrily on the event-filled day we’ve had.  and with it the opportunity to visit the spa for a swim and steam we head for lunch at a delightful Cognac eatery (I had the fish again The country house estate is a crowning jewel in the Hennessy dynasty August Hennessy—the grandson of the founder—bought the house for his wife in 1841 after she wrote a kindly letter asking him to The estate was passed down through generations of Hennessy as the family’s home base until 1963 when the last of the family passed It has since played host to an eclectic array of celebrities sprawling across seven acres of grounds on the banks of the Charente River splendidly untouched from its centuries of history We spend a glorious few hours exploring the house and tasting various of the Maison’s cognacs alongside some sweet treats The rich heritage of the establishment sweeps over me as the brandy hits the back of my throat and I survey the annals of the past around me savouring every second of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but soon trails into fatigue and reflection I’ve spent less than two days in this decadent crevice of France but most certainly fell in love with its allure Hennessy is one of the Western world’s most recognisable brands but its complexity and character behind the curtain leaves the imagination twinkling and a future that promises invention and innovation the Maison’s legacy will only continue to grow.  the fields of vineyards become mere dots of history And I think to myself: this life is truly without limit to those who know where to source its unwritten potential.  For more on Hennessy, visit here For more A Trip To…’, visit here Words – Ben Tibbits Wonderland Features Editor Ben Tibbits visits Bilbao to dig deep into the city's art and to attend one of elrow's iconic parties Features Editor Ben Tibbits takes on his latest European city for Kappa Futur Festival's 'Art & Techno' experience Ben Tibbits is back with another adventure this time moseying on up to Sheffield for Tramlines Festival climbing many a hill and losing his mind to Jamie T Wonderland Features Editor Ben Tibbits heads to Formentera for SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia attending Sónar Lisboa for a weekend full of the best in European electronic music and Portuguese culture Jaeger-LeCoultre furthers the case for watchmaking as art with this posthumous collaboration Ben Tibbits visits Groningen to attend ESNS battling the cold and discovering the best emerging talent Ben Tibbits takes an adventure-filled trip to Berlin to visit and discover one of the city's most prominent nightclubs Frequenting rising Athenian electronic festival Primer Wonderland Features Editor Ben Tibbits finds big-hitting crowd-pleasers Ben Tibbits takes a trip to Amsterdam to discover Kafe Raves Zany characters and beautifully odd occurrences: here's what went down.. Armed with nothing but a notepad and an extra pair of socks heading to the notorious Rise Festival for a week of skiing and electronic music Chivas Regal welcomes Charles Leclerc as Global Brand Ambassador London-based designer to discuss her eponymous brand’s SS25 collection and reflections on a decade-long journey in fashion Juliet Ivy took us behind the scenes on her recent endeavour to London in an exclusive photo diary Rising actor Stuart Thompson talks his early acting education and the intricacies of his role in Three Sisters at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse Kel P and Wande Coal tell us about their new joint project "Best of Both Worlds" discussing the process and decisions behind the work Feng Chen Wang brought back memories to her Autumn/Winter 2025 runway show Warner Music and Hennessy celebrated the BRIT Awards 2025 with a show-stopping star-heavy extravaganza at Claridge’s in Mayfair Wonderland meets Paradise's Dom Fernando to document the restaurant's rise and discuss their new collaboration with cherished whisky brand Glenmorangie I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the worldFollow AuthorJan 02 06:30am ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;}Some of the high end Cognacs in the Courvoisier range Courvoisier is one of Cognac’s largest and most storied producers Below is a brief history of the House and tasting notes on its current range of Cognacs a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence one of the four major cognac houses globally often referred to as one of the 'Big Four' alongside Hennessy The brand's connection to Napoleon Bonaparte although the link is somewhat tenuous and predates the firm's founding Courvoisier developed the designation Napoleon for one of its brandy expressions and famously used a silhouette of Napoleon a unique and intriguing aspect of the brand's identity Louis Gallois and Felix Courvoisier founded a wines and spirits business in Bercy Napoleon Bonaparte visited the firm in 1811 and it’s believed he became a customer of the firm’s Cognac though at the time it would not have carried the Courvoisier brand Napoleon took several barrels of Cognac with him into exile on St Helena though it is unclear where that Cognac was sourced The British officers who accompanied him and partook in the Cognac referred to it as "The Cognac of Napoleon," an expression Courvoisier would later use in its marketing campaigns Courvoisier moved its operations to Jarnac That date marks the birth of the Cognac House and its now legendary brand Napoleon III appointed Courvoisier the 'Official Supplier to the Imperial Court' in 1869 Napoleon III also played a significant role in promoting the Cognac industry he played a major role in promoting free trade between France and Great Britain The Maison Courvoisier in Jarnac has recently been extensively refurbished resulted in a boom in France’s exports of wines and spirits Many of the grand chateau in Cognac were built during this golden age of Cognac sales the boom in Cognac sales was cut short by the advent of the phylloxera epidemic that decimated Cognac’s vineyards between 1870 and 1895 Courvoisier adheres to strict production practices highlighting its commitment to quality and consistency The company uses grapes drawn from the Grande Champagne valued for its high acidity and ability to produce clean more robust Cognacs with a more pronounced palate weight and texture It’s unclear if some eaux-de-vie is distilled off the lees to have lighter blending stock with a different aroma and flavor profile The Cognac is subsequently aged in French oak barrels sourced from the Limousin and Tronçais forests a master blender meticulously selects and blends eaux-de-vie of various ages and crus Courvoisier’s VS Cognac includes spirits aged up to eight years it features fresh orchard fruit aromas of apple and pear The VSOP Cognac blends spirits aged for 8–12 years it’s a blend of Fins Bois and Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie It’s rich and robust but balanced on the palate with lingering hints of nutmeg and dark chocolate it is ideal for sipping high-quality cocktails The XO Cognac comprises eaux-de-vie aged 10–25 years focusing on Grande and Petite Champagne spirits Courvoisier XO Royal is an exceptional Cognac that reflects the historic blends once favored by European royalty notably inspired by the exclusive "Edward VII Reserve" crafted for Britain's King Edward VII in the early 1900s It’s robust and full-bodied on the palate featuring dried fruits The nose is exceptionally long and powerful A 1952 advertisement from Courvoisier promoting its Cognac as "The Brandy of Napoleon." The Courvoisier Napoléon is a blend of 25 eaux-de-vie aged 15–25 years focusing on Borderies and Grande Champagne crus Although Napoleon Cognac is typically younger than an XO Cognac Courvoisier is an exception as its Napoleon Cognac is older than its XO the Napoléon offers rich aromas of dried fruits The Initiale Extra Cognac is aged for 30+ years and is made from rare eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne and Borderies L’Essence is Courvoisier’s oldest and most complex Cognac expression It’s crafted from eaux-de-vie aged up to 60 years layered complexity featuring stone and tropical fruits and rancio aromas of old leather and furniture wax blending the finest cognacs in Courvoisier’s cellar Courvoisier is a testament to the artistry and heritage of cognac-making combining meticulous craftsmanship with a distinct style characterized by smoothness Each expression offers a unique journey through the terroir and traditions of the Cognac region making Courvoisier a timeless choice for casual drinkers and connoisseurs Alice Lascelles selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter The Spicy Margarita is everywhere – in plenty of bars I know it now accounts for half of all drinks sales But what would we all be drinking if the bar world’s top tastemakers had their way “Perfect [as a sub for whiskey] in classics like Manhattans or as a stand-in for cognac in a Vieux Carré.” Ennismore’s head of bars Robert Simpson makes the case for calvados “which has flavours from crisp fresh fruit through to apple strudel” Punch editor Talia Baiocchi agrees: “I love a simple calvados and tonic.” PM Spirits VS Overproof VS Bas Armagnac, $62.50 for 75cl, pmspirits.com Sazerac de Forge & Fils Finest Original Cognac, £120.99 for 70cl, masterofmalt.com Bénédictine DOM Liqueur, £31.25 for 70cl, thewhiskyexchange.com Some might find this old-school 3:1 formula a bit heavy on the crème de menthe 20ml white crème de menthe (such as Tempus Fugit) Shake with ice and then either strain into a cocktail glass or serve over crushed ice in a rocks glass Some variations on this creamy classic feature an additional 30ml of cognac Shake hard with ice until silky and then strain into a cocktail glass Perhaps 2025 will see the red-hot Margarita make way for something a bit more smouldering @alicelascelles , opens new tab and Remy Cointreau (RCOP.PA), opens new tab days after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.Macron urged Xi to drop the tariffs at the G20 meeting in Brazil telling reporters on Tuesday that China's targeting of cognac came as a surprise.France refuses to lift its support for EV tariffs to reduce pressure on its cognac sector Paris says the two issues are unrelated and that Beijing's measures on cognac were political and retaliatory.China is the second-largest export market for cognac after the United States and the industry's most profitable accounting for $1.7 billion in exports last year.On a visit to Shanghai earlier this month junior trade minister Sophie Primas reminded her Chinese counterpart that Xi Jinping had himself promised Macron during a state visit earlier this year that there would be no tariffs on French brandy said a government source briefed on the meeting.SPIRITED DIPLOMACYSpeaking to reporters after meeting Xi Macron said the Chinese president had agreed to work transparently on the issue and that his prime minister would travel to China early next year."We have initiated a process and I am hopeful that we can come out of it on top by returning to normal," Macron said.Chinese measures have already caused order cancellations and deferred orders president of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) who welcomed the intensified diplomatic push.China's measures do not apply to bulk shipments which currently accounts for just 2 to 3% of volumes as traditionally cognac is produced and bottled entirely in its home region.Unions representing the sector are worried other producers could also move bottling operations to China.Remy has said it has no such plans while Pernod Ricard declined to comment.The unions plan to lobby the BNIC to include bottling activity inside the scope of a 'controlled designation of origin' (AOC) label to protect the local workforce a Hennessy technician and secretary of the company's employee representative committee.Blocking bulk cognac shipments was also under consideration said Devers.Trade unions were also discussing expanding the industrial action across the Cognac region said Frederic Merceron of the Force Ouvrière union.Reporting by Alban Kacher Elizabeth Pineau; Additional reporting by Emma Rumney and and Michel Rose; Editing by Richard Lough and Alexander Smith