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Courvoisier is one of the four leading cognac houses in France. The brand’s products are widely known on all continents, especially appreciated by gourmets in England and Asia, where Napoleon cognac is considered a symbol of constancy and impeccable quality. At the end of 2016, the brand takes 5th place in the list of the best-selling brands in the world. To date, Courvoisier House belongs to Beam Suntory, a subsidiary of the Suntory holding, which is the world’s third largest producer of elite alcohol.
Brand history. The origins of the company date back to the first decade of the 1828th century, when Emmanuel Courvoisier and Jules Galois opened a wine shop on the northern outskirts of Paris. In XNUMX their sons, who inherited the family business, moved to Jarnac. In the castle built near the Charente River, the headquarters of the new cognac house settled.
According to legend, when Napoleon went into exile, he was allowed to take several barrels of Courvoisier with him. The officers of the British army who accompanied the disgraced emperor found the taste of the drink very refined and began to call it “Napoleon’s cognac.” Subsequently, the company derived unconditional commercial benefit from this fact: from 1909 to the present day, the silhouette of Bonaparte flaunts on every bottle label. In 1869, Courvoisier became the official supplier of the Imperial Court of France.
In the early twentieth century, the company was acquired by the famous family of wine merchants Simon. The new owners put a lot of effort into making the brand one of the most famous in England. Thanks to the Simons, more Courvoisier is currently sold in the UK than all the other top brands combined.
In 1910, the company released a cognac dedicated to Napoleon and named after him. Later, Napoleon became a specific category of cognacs, among which the original creation of Courvoisier is considered an unsurpassed standard. To match the extraordinary drink, a spectacular frosted glass bottle with a silky texture has been created.
In 1951, a silhouette bottle was first introduced, called “Josephine”. According to one version, the dresses of Napoleon’s first wife served as a prototype. In 2015, the famous fashion designer Vivienne Westwood was invited to restart the design. The updated labels are made in colors that symbolize the “golden age of Paris”.
In the 1980s, innovations were introduced in production, including the use of microdistillation technology. Thanks to the optimization of the process, cognacs acquire new taste qualities and a balanced aroma.
Courvoisier in the 200st century. On the eve of the millennium, L’Esprit cognac was released. For the assemblage, precious spirits from an ancient storehouse were used, some of which have been waiting for this hour for almost XNUMX years. For this exclusive drink, Lalique has made a matching crystal decanter.
Today, the responsibility for the character, bouquet and taste of future cognacs lies with Patrice Pina. He is the sixth blending master, which proves that the company’s employees devote their whole lives to it.
Awards
Courvoisier is the only cognac house awarded the honorary title “Prestige of France”. The brand’s products have repeatedly been awarded medals of the highest dignity at the most important international competitions.
World Spirits Competition in San Francisco:
- 2006 – Silver medal (Courvoisier VSOP);
- 2007 – 2 Double gold medals (Courvoisier Initiale Extra, Courvoisier Napoleon);
- 2008 – Double gold and 2 gold medals (Courvoisier XO, Courvoisier Fine Champagne XO, Courvoisier Extra-Aged, Initiale Extra);
- 2009 – 2 Double gold and gold medals, victory in the nomination “Best Cognac of the Year” (Courvoisier Exclusif, Courvoisier VS, Courvoisier VSOP);
- 2011 – Double gold and 3 gold medals (Courvoisier L’Essence de Courvoisier, Courvoisier 21 Year Old, Courvoisier XO, Courvoisier VS);
- 2012 – Gold medal (Courvoisier VS);
- 2013 – Gold medal (Courvoisier XO);
- 2015 – Gold medal (Courvoisier VS);
- 2016 – Gold medal (Courvoisier VSOP).
International Wine & Spirit Competition:
- 2013 – 5 silver medals (Courvoisier VSOP, Courvoisier VS, Courvoisier XO, Courvoisier 12 YO, Courvoisier Gold);
- 2016 – Gold medal (Courvoisier Gala Club).
Cognac Masters:
- 2014 – 3 Gold medals (Courvoisier Extravagance, Courvoisier XO, Courvoisier L’Essence).
Interesting Facts
- Charles Dickens was a connoisseur and passionate collector of elite alcoholic beverages. In his collection, numbering more than two thousand bottles, the largest place was occupied by French cognac. The writer considered 215 bottles of Courvoisier to be the pride of the collection.
For the august persons, famous figures of culture and science, who arrived at the celebration in honor of the opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889, only Courvoisier cognac was served. At the World Exhibition held these days, the company was awarded the Big Gold Medal.
- In 1960, Courvoisier became the first cognac to appear on TV screens. A special program on the British TV channel was dedicated to the brand’s products.
- The brand’s new communication strategy aims to attract the interest of a younger audience. The growth of the brand’s popularity in the United States is greatly facilitated by contemporary hip-hop artists such as P. Diddy and Busta Rhymes, who dedicated the song Pass The Courvoisier to the drink.
Types of cognac Courvoisier
Courvoisier VS, 40%
Assemblage of young and mature spirits aged from 5 to 8 years. The bouquet is defined by aromas of jasmine, wood and hazelnut. The creamy taste reveals tones of honey and fruits, combined with a light oak-tart nuance. The updated label of the Josephine bottle is in a noble purple color. Good on its own or as part of classic Sidecar and Brandy Alexander cocktails.
Courvoisier VSOP, 40%
The blend uses spirits from Feng Bois, Petit and Grand Champagne regions. In the authoritative rating of the Beverage Testing Institute, the drink was awarded 89 points and a Silver medal. The bouquet abounds with floral aromas with a jasmine dominant. The taste is characterized by shades of peach, red apples, almonds and vanilla. Can be used as a base for Sidecar, Vieux Carre and Champs Elysees cocktails.
Courvoisier XO Imperial, 40%
Born from an assemblage of the best cognac spirits aged from 11 to 35 years, hand-selected by cellar master Patrice Pinay. The Beverage Testing Institute rating awarded the drink an honorable 93 points and a medal of the highest dignity.
The multifaceted bouquet conveys the smells of toffee and caramel inherent in spirits from the Borderie region. Soft full-bodied taste reveals notes of creme brulee, apricot marmalade, black currant. Fragrant cognac will make a worthy duet with a cigar.
Courvoisier Napoleon, 40%
Created to perpetuate the good relations between the House of Courvoisier and the Emperor of France. Assembled from Grand and Petit Champagne spirits, which allows it to be classified as Fine Champagne. Thanks to many years of aging, the character of the drink is manifested by tones of sandalwood, dried apricots and orange blossoms. The rich taste is rich in shades – prunes, licorice, dark chocolate. It retains its individuality, no matter how it is used: as a digestif, with ice or tonic.
Courvoisier 12 YO, 40%
The House of Courvosier was the first to use the usual designation of whiskey for the age of the drink. The bouquet is based on fruity scents, complemented by spicy notes of ginger and anise. The taste is rich, the range of shades is determined by candied orange, vanilla praline, roasted almonds. Pairs well with dark chocolate.
Courvoisier 21 YO, 40%
The assemblage contains spirits of at least 21 years of aging. It is at this age, according to the master of blending Patrice Pinault, that they reach the time of full bloom. Barrels made of fine-grained Tronsey oak wood enrich the drink with sweet aromas of figs, dates, licorice. The taste is saturated with tones of red orange, candied fruits, spices. Light notes of rancio are caught in the long aftertaste.
Courvoisier Initial Extra, 40%
For blending, cognac spirits that have reached the peak of maturity are carefully selected at least 50 years old. Cognac has an expressive and complex aroma, which can only give a long exposure: echoes of a humid forest, cedar wood, truffles, cigar leaf are heard. Warm silky taste rich with hints of fruit cake, dried apricots, ripe peaches, old port wine.
Courvoisier Succession J.S., 42%
Limited edition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the coronation of Napoleon. The average age of the spirits included in the blend is 100 years. Thanks to this, the drink acquired a bouquet of well-ripened sherry, with notes of Havana cigar, roasted coffee beans and cinnamon. Collectible cognac with a rounded taste has a noble shade of old amber with a reflection of mahogany. Each of the 2500 bottles is packaged in a wooden box with a key, a miniature copy of Napoleon’s travel safe.
Courvoisier Essence, 42%
Released in a limited series. The blend is based on the rarest spirits, the age of many of them reaches a hundred years. The teardrop-shaped decanter is made of crystal by Baccarat, each individually numbered and packaged in a lacquered wood box. It has a rich palette of aromas: from tart tones of cigar leaves to marzipan and mountain honey. The taste is dominated by sweetish notes – peach jam, almond cake.
