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One of the oldest alcoholic brands in France, Camus, is one of the most famous and reputable. The company has representative offices in 8 countries, including Russia.
Among the French family producers, the Cognac House from the Borderies region is the largest, and in the total number of enterprises producing “eaux-de-vie”, it ranks fifth in terms of sales.
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History of the Camus brand
The ancestor of the famous brand was Jean-Baptiste Camus, who in 1863, together with a group of winemakers, founded a consortium called “La Grande Marque”. In subsequent years, the entrepreneur bought out the shares of partners and included his last name in the name of the company. Cognacs produced by an independent company became known as “Camus La Grande Marque”.
The next representative of the family – Gaston Camus – paid special attention to the promotion of products in Europe and Russia. In particular, he signed a lucrative contract with Société Depret and began to supply cognacs to the court of the Russian Tsar.
Michael Camus, who managed the company in the middle of the XNUMXth century, focused on the development of an innovative direction – tax-free business. This allowed the brand to become one of the leaders in the field of duty-free shopping.
Jean-Paul Camus, who took over the leadership of the Cognac House in the post-war years, significantly expanded the territory of the vineyards owned by the company.
1932 Michel, the grandson of Jean-Baptiste, became the owner of the brand. He had an innate sense of smell and a highly developed sense of smell, which helped him create unique blends.
1959 In 30, the Camus trademark received a license, which opened the expanses of the alcohol market in the Soviet Union for XNUMX years.
1977 year, the reins of the company passed into the hands of the great-grandson of the founder of the company – Jean-Paul, who contributed to a significant expansion of production. The area for growing vineyards was increased and the purchase of containers for blending was organized.
1988 In XNUMX, a new generation of Camus – two brothers Cyril and Jean-Baptiste II began to export their products to the United States.
Today, the company is managed by the fifth generation of the famous family. Cyril Camus is betting on the global distribution of the brand’s drinks, most actively developing French-Chinese cooperation.
For over 150 years of existence, the company has remained an independent manufacturer, not forgetting its history. The family estate has its own family castle (Plessy), founded in the XNUMXth century. what you need to know about cognac
Manufacturing specifics
The main secret of the great taste of Camus cognacs are 5 principles that guide the owners of the House:
Gentle on the environment
The main domain of Camus La Gîte is surrounded by luxurious wild forests, untouched by man.
Vineyards are cultivated in a special way that allows the fields to accumulate organic matter.
Making the Most of the Borderie Cru Terroir
For better flavoring, grape raw materials are allowed to rest for 2 hours after harvest, after which they are gently pressed and fermented at a certain temperature for 6 days.
3 different strains of yeast are included in the must for a richer bouquet.
Preserving traditions
Many processes at the enterprise are done “the old fashioned way” – without the use of automation. Distillation is carried out in small steel cubes with a capacity of not more than 25 hectoliters.
The wines are not pre-filtered, and the first 20 liters of spirits obtained during the second distillation are continuously tasted by the master. He selects the samples with the brightest bouquet, which are added to the final distillate to enhance the aroma.
This process, patented by Camus, is called Intensity.
Special holding technology
Cognacs are matured in small barrels, which provide the greatest contact of spirits with wood.
Vessels are made of fine-grained oak and subjected to a special roasting procedure – “French light toasting”.
Passion for business and obsession with quality
The manufacturer takes care of the perfect taste and design of the produced drinks, regularly modernizing production and recruiting people who are sincerely devoted to cognac craftsmanship.
Types of cognac Camus
Camus Very Special
A deep golden drink. It is distinguished by the predominance of fruity notes and fine spices.
In the aroma, floral tones of violet and jasmine are noticeable, in the taste – fresh accents of mango, pear, sweet almond, light shades of tannins.
Camus VSOP
A luxurious blend of amber-gold hues dominated by floral notes.
The bouquet harmoniously combines fresh fruity, delicate woody and refined tropical accents.
The finish pleases with tones of vanilla and spices.
Camus XO
An elegant cognac of a beautiful golden color interspersed with copper, surprising with an explosive multi-layered mixture of fruity-spicy-woody notes.
In the aroma, tones of rich pastries, apricot, orange, white flowers with a slight interspersing of cinnamon shades are noticeable.
The rich taste combines oily and fruity accents, complemented by a long warm trail of spices.
Camus Extra
A unique elite blend of rare spirits, first introduced in the 70s. Exclusive cognac has a bright golden color with red highlights.
A rich floral aroma complements the multi-layered palate with creamy, confectionery, tobacco, nutty, violet and leathery undertones.
Velvet finish surprises with exceptional duration.
Camus Extra Dark & Intense
A drink of exquisite copper-topaz color, created on the basis of the previous one. A unique technology is used to enhance the aromatics of the precious product.
Cognac casks are heated over an open fire to release the remnants of alcohol trapped inside the wood.
After the heat treatment, the drink is again poured into the vessels and goes through the additional aging stage.
As a result of the fusion of the finished cognac with the released spirits, a “dark and intense” product is obtained, which is sold in a black bottle.
Main notes: gingerbread, roasted macadamia nut, bitter chocolate, buttercream, spices.
Other Camus series are also produced:
Elegance
Borderies
Island of Re
Cognac Special Finish.
Interesting facts about the brand Camus
The ancient Plesi castle is the ancestral home of the Camus family.
The company owns a network of retail stores in China where you can taste rare Camus brands and get recommendations from leading experts.
In 2010, the trading house opened a club in Shanghai, where cognac connoisseurs can create their own assemblage from Camus distillates under the guidance of a blender.
The company has offices in eight countries on three continents, employing about 550 people.
cocktails with cognac
Relevance: 05.02.2020
Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Cognac Brands