The Delamaine family is one of the most ancient in France, and the cognac house is one of the last three remaining independent family companies in the Cognac region. And this is one of three French companies that have a license to produce vintage – more than 20 years of aging, cognacs, which are distinguished by a rich taste, bright fruity notes in the aroma and a rounded vanilla aftertaste.
Historical reference. It all started with a successful marriage: James Delamain married the daughter of Isaac Ranson, head of the French cognac supplier to Ireland and Holland, and became his partner. This was in 1759, and a century and a half later, in 1920, one surname remained in the name “Ranson & Delamain”.
The cognac house steadily follows the traditions established three centuries ago and continues to accumulate old spirits. So in 1963, a special cellar was equipped for them, and the keys were handed over to a special representative of state services that control the quality of drinks. The State Comptroller strictly monitors the consumption and receipt of new spirits, draws up acts of acceptance and issuance. With the same goal in 1989, a special commission was created and the exact age of each barrel was determined.
Today, the cognac house is run by cousins - Charles Delamain and Patrick Peyrelong, and 10% of the shares are owned by Bollinger. Annual production volumes are small – 600 thousand bottles.
Interesting facts about Delamain
- The company has never had vineyards and distilleries, its specialists do not work with wine materials, but immediately buy spirits in the Grande Champagne region from the best wine growers, with whom they have maintained relations for decades.
- For aging, oak barrels are used, which are less than 20 years old, and during assemblage, alcohols similar in aging are mixed – for a soft and harmonious taste. Exposure after mixing is at least two years.
- Delamain cognacs start with the Extra Old class, “very old”, while the collections of most manufacturers end with this class.
- All vintage drinks are poured by hand, pre-rinsing each bottle with cognac.
- Each line of cognac is exclusive, produced in limited batches: Pale & Dry from spirits aged 22-28 years, Vesper – 35-40 years, Tres Venerable – 55 years, and Reserve cle la Famille – from spirits obtained before 1940.
- According to proprietary recipes, the strength of cognacs is reduced not with distilled water, but with weak alcohols, so as not to disturb the harmony of the components. This mixture of fifteen percent spirits even has a special name – vieilles faibles, so that the action is translated as “add old devils.”
Types of cognac Delamain
Delamain Pale & Dry (40%). The youngest and lightest “Delamain” was created from cognac spirits aged from 20 to 30 years in oak containers. The name translates as “pale and dry”, that is, with natural grape sweetness, without the addition of sugar and other sweeteners. Pale & Dry was first released in 1920, today it makes up 80% of annual production. It is a golden drink with a multifaceted fruity aroma, a rounded taste with hints of licorice and vanilla, and a long, delicate aftertaste with hints of milk chocolate.
Delamain Vesper (40%). An amber drink made from 35-year-old spirits, the name translates as “evening prayer”. Powerful aroma dominated by notes of oak wood, dry wine and vanilla. Velvety taste with a bright and long fruity aftertaste dominated by apple tones.
Delamain Extra Grande Champagne (40%). An amber-golden drink made from forty-year-old spirits with the aroma of ripe apples and tropical fruits. Multifaceted harmonious taste with chocolate shades. Long warming aftertaste with tones of caramel, oak wood and dried fruits.
Delamain Tres Venirable (40%). The name of the drink is translated as “venerable”, which emphasizes its age – 55-year-old spirits are used in the creation. The color is bright, golden amber. Notes of raisins, vanilla and honey are heard in the aroma. The taste is unexpectedly fresh, with a hint of green apples. Warm velvety aftertaste with chocolate tones.
