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Henri Mounier is a French brand owned by the cognac house of the same name. The company is a subsidiary of Union Coop, the only wine cooperative in Cognac, founded in 1929. The Unicoop group unites more than 3000 winegrowers and occupies the fifth position in the list of the largest cognac exporters with a turnover of 33,8 million euros (2018). Munier also manages other Unicoop brands: Prince de Polignac, Hardy, La Fayette, Pinot de Charente Reynac, Source vodka and gin.
Historical information
The history of the brand dates back to 1858, when Henri Munier, who grew up in Cognac, decided to change the uniform of a merchant navy captain to that of a merchant. Finding support from his father-in-law and a friend who owned vineyards, he set up a wholesale company. Initially, Mounier & Cie was engaged in export, supplying wine products to the Netherlands.
The rapid growth in the number of buyers spurred the ambitions of the ambitious Mounier: he decided not to limit himself to trade and began to study the intricacies of cognac production. The energetic entrepreneur also succeeded in this new business for him – the buyers of cognac, which was sold under the brand name Henri Mounier & Co, were found first in France and then abroad. After some time, the name turned into a short “Henri Mounier”.
In the 1947th century, the appearance of Prince Hubert de Polignac became a highlight – today it is among the ten best-selling cognacs in the world. Prince Hubert de Polignac, heir to a French aristocratic family, signed an agreement with the cognac house to use his name as a brand in XNUMX.
The last years for the Unicoop cooperative and the cognac house included in it turned out to be difficult – in less than a decade, 5 managing directors were replaced here. “Leapfrog” in the highest composition was accompanied by litigation: complaints filed with the gendarmerie against the master de che about the theft of “top secret” blends and counterclaims for the protection of honor and dignity.
Awards
Poitou-Charentes Flavors Competition:
- 2013 – silver (Henri Mounier VSOP) medal.
New Aquitaine Flavors Competition:
- 2017 – silver (Henri Mounier VSOP) medal.
International Wine and Spirit Competition, Лондон:
- 2008 – silver (Henri Mounier VSOP) medal, “Best in class” rating;
- 2009 – 2 silver (Henri Mounier VSOP, Henri Mounier VS), bronze (Henri Mounier XO) medals;
- 2014 – 4 silver (Henri Mounier XO, Henri Mounier VSOP, Henri Mounier Extra, Henri Mounier VS) medals and Best in Class.
International Spirits Challenge, Лондон:
- 2013 – Gold (Hardy VSOP), 3 silver (Hardy Noces D’Or, Prince Hubert De Polignac Extra, Prince Hubert De Polignac XO) medals.
China Wine & Spirits Awards:
- 2016 – double gold (Henri Mounier VSOP) medal;
- 2017 – the title of “Cognac of the Year” (Marquis de la Fayette Extra), 4 double gold (Henri Mounier VSOP, Marquis de la Fayette XO, Marquis de la Fayette XO Prestige, Marquis de la Fayette Extra), silver (Marquis de la Fayette VSOP ) medals.
World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2017 – 2 bronze (Marquis de la Fayette VSOP, Marquis de la Fayette VS) medals.
ProWein, Düsseldorf:
- 2019 – silver (Henri Mounier Extra) medal.
Interesting Facts
In 2005, the cognac house completely moved its production to the commune of Gensac-la-Pallu, and its old cellars were empty, becoming part of a rather depressing wasteland in the very center of Cognac. The company planned to demolish the cellars and sell the plot of land, but this was opposed by the Buildings of France organization, which considered the buildings to be of historical and cultural value.
A year ago, the buildings were purchased by the Parisian construction company Girandieres, which decided to convert them into a nursing home with apartments for 90 guests. It will open its doors in 2020.
Types of cognac Henri Munier
Henri Mounier VS, 40%
The youngest brandy in the collection is made from spirits aged from two years. A drink of rich dark golden color with brown gleams, leaves concentrated and oily “tears” on the walls of the glass. The bouquet is notable for its freshness, the play of light alcoholism and complex grassy tones in combination with vanilla-chocolate sweetness is felt in it. On the palate there is no aggressiveness inherent in most young cognacs, the predominant notes are ripe fruits, almonds, autumn grapes slightly dried on the vine.
Henri Mounier XO, 40%
An old cognac with a strong character: according to the maitre de ché of the cognac house Mikael Bouilly, tasting it is like taking a trip back in time. The blend is based on rare spirits not younger than 10 years old. Over the long years of aging in oak barrels, the bouquet is saturated with tones of cinnamon, exotic woods, dark chocolate and candied orange. The taste maintains the bar set by the aroma – shades of hazelnut, vanilla crumb, buckwheat honey appear on a chocolate background. The drink is best revealed as an independent digestif for meditative drinking with friends.
Henri Mounier Extra, 40%
This assemblage of 40-year-old spirits was dedicated by the cellar master to the memory of the founder of the cognac house, Henri Munier. A dark amber-colored drink with a copper-red tint, when poured, it demonstrates high oiliness – the so-called “legs” flow down from the walls of the glass slowly and majestically. The basis of the bouquet are shades of roasted coffee beans, cocoa beans, walnuts and dried apricots. Chocolate-vanilla and fruit tones are felt on the palate, emphasizing the softness of the old cognac.
