The legendary Ogier is the oldest cognac brand in the world. Its date of origin is 1643. At that time, even in France, the cognac recipe was not stable, only Augier was a pleasant exception. Until 1968, the ingredients and blending methods were kept secret, passed down from generation to generation along with the craftsmanship. And despite the wars, cataclysms, diseases of the vineyards and the change of owners, the brand managed to stay among the leaders in cognac production.
Historical reference. The French merchant Philippe Ogier was a connoisseur of wines and a connoisseur of cognac. He opened his small business in 1643, at a time when the production technology of the noble drink was actively improved. Alcohol merchants began to transport it not in copper vats, but in oak barrels. And they discovered the secret: the drink, aged in oak containers, acquired a brighter color, a rich taste and a soft aftertaste.
Philippe Ogier founded his own cognac house, calling it Cognac Augier – after the name of the region and his own name. And he experimented there with spirits and grape varieties until one and blends seemed perfect to him. This is how Ogier appeared, keeping the recipe unchanged for three centuries. House Cognac Augier in the XVIII-XIX centuries was popular and was considered the richest in the country, in its cellars matured and aged for decades spirits of excellent quality in hundred-liter barrels. New drinks were created only from those distillates that had spent at least ten years in an oak tank.
The company remained a family business and was passed down from father to son. This continued until the 1968th century, and then the globalization campaign of the alcohol business began, small enterprises were absorbed by large ones, and international alcohol giants were formed. In XNUMX, Philippe Ogier’s heirs sold Cognac Augier to Canadian distributor Seagram. Company owner Samuel Bronfman had big plans for the Augier and many ideas to modernize the production in the old castle. But they were not destined to come true – Samuel Bronfman died suddenly, and his successors had their own views on business development and completely different plans.
Rich collections of spirits from underground storages began to be sold, instead of creating new drinks. Cognac Augier produced its cognac for some time, but then the stocks were depleted and production was stopped. But the brand is still owned by Seagram. In 2000, the company was sold to the French conglomerate Vivendi, and alcohol giants Pernod Ricard and Diageo distributed the alcohol reserves among themselves.
Gradually, production in the castle of Augier began to be restored already in the XNUMXst century. The stocks of distillates are replenished, the owners of the estate invited qualified specialists to the enterprise – such as the winemaker Jean-Manuel Geral and the master of assemblage Henri Denet. And Cognac Augier again began to produce his famous cognac. It is not yet exported – it is sold only in France. Therefore, at the moment, outside of France, you can only find “Ogier” of the old model – Augier XO, from the storerooms of the cognac house itself and Seagram. While in the homeland of the drink, three more types of drink are available. Augier is always drunk neat, as a digestif.
Types of cognac “Ogier”
Augier XO (40%). The drink from the old stocks of the cognac house is based on spirits aged for at least 10 years. The color is deep, tea, with golden reflections. Light, but at the same time complex caramel-vanilla aroma with notes of almonds and prunes. Multifaceted taste with hints of dried cherries and prunes. Warm long aftertaste with nutty-vanilla tones.
Augier Oceanique (40,1%). Oceanic is a very light, slightly golden drink from the new generation of Ogier. In a fresh pleasant aroma, notes of iodine, orange, lemon, grapefruit are heard. Multifaceted spicy taste with hints of almonds, sea salt and tobacco leaves. Balanced nutty-citrus aftertaste of medium duration.
Augier Singulier (40,7%) Light yellow drink based on spirits from two rare grape varieties – Fine Champagne and Folle Blanche. Singvalier has a delicate pleasant aroma with notes of ripe pear, apricot and peach. Velvety harmonious taste with fruit and nut shades. Warm aftertaste with nutty tones and slight bitterness of cocoa beans.
Augier Sauvage (40,8%). Savage is based on spirits from Ugni Blanc and vintage varieties of Petite Champagne. The honey-golden drink pleasantly smells of candied apricots and fresh lemon zest. Harmonious caramel-citrus taste and long spicy aftertaste with tones of cinnamon, cloves and vanilla.
