Courvoisier

Courvoisier is a well-known producer of cognac and one of the 'Big Four' houses in the famous French region alongside Hennessy, Martell and Rémy Martin. Courvoisier boasts a long list of celebrity drinkers, both historical and modern day. It is a pioneering and boundary-pushing brand that is one of the world's most awarded Cognacs.     

Courvoisier reveals the intricate nuances of the exuberant fruity and floral cognac. Notes of tropical fruits such as peach and pineapple combine with jasmine and blossom. More savoury characteristics such as woody spices are also evident.

Subtle, lingering and exquisitely balanced, Maison Courvoisier draws upon the life, joy and rich history of this House, the Cognac region and its people so that every sip can be savored. This is something we define as Cognac in Blossom.

The core range features the VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Special Old Particular) and XO (Extra Old) expressions.

Super-premium bottlings include Initiale Extra (made with old eaux-de-vie from the Borderies and Grande Champagne crus), Heritage de Louis Renard (named after the first Courvoisier cellar master of the 20th century) and L'Essence de Courvoisier (a set of limited editions released to mark different occasions).    

Courvoisier mainly works with the finest four: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois. These crus elevate our blends and result in a fuller breadth and depth of harmony, ensuring that we capture the perfect alchemy of flavour and flair. After harvesting, the grapes are made into an acidic white wine.

This wine is double distilled through traditional Charentais alembic pot stills. Distillation can only legally take place between November and March. Courvoisier is one of the few Cognac houses to distil 'on the lees' - a technique that keeps the yeast residue from the wine-making process. Maturation takes place in either Tronçais or Limousin oak barrels. These are famously made from 200-year-old trees selected by the Master Blender.     

In 1828, Felix Courvoisier, the true embodiment of joie de vivre, established Maison Courvoisier in Jarnac, the heart of France's Cognac region. His spirit is reflected in our vibrant Maison Courvoisier style. He followed his father and his associate, Louis Gallois who started as a wine and spirits trader in 1809 in Paris Bercy.    

The pair purchased a château on the banks of the River Charentes in the town of Jarnac. This sat within the designated Cognac region to the north of Bordeaux, France and was where they operated from and distilled.

Following Felix's death in 1866, Gallois handed ownership to Courvoisier's nephews - the Curlier brothers. They renamed the château as Maison Courvoisier in honour of their uncle. Courvoisier remained in the family until 1909 when it was sold to an English family - the Simons. It is currently owned by Beam Suntory.

Famous admirers of Courvoisier include Napolean Bonaparte, France's first Emperor and writer Charles Dickens. More recently rappers Busta Rhymes and Eminem have featured the brand in song lyrics, leading to increased popularity within the hip hop community.

The brand is also known for its pioneering collaborations in the areas of fashion and advertising. This has seen Courvoisier work with designers such as Vivienne Westwood. It was the first alcohol brand to produce a 3D advert, shown before the blockbuster movie Avatar. It is also at the forefront of introducing Cognac into cocktails and cocktail culture, a programme that dates back to the 1960s.