Distiller Notes
2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal Winner
As Cognac matures in oak barrels, slow evaporation occurs, refining the quality and concentrating the finest flavors and aromas. For centuries, the alcohol that evaporates during the aging process has been known as the mythical “Angels’ Share.” What remains in the barrel is a small quantity of Cognac after many years of maturation and evaporation. The ancestors called it the “Angel’s Selection” and Pierre Ferrand call it “Sélection des Anges.”
It starts with a pastry profile on raisin, honey, vanilla, apricot and fresh tobacco with elegant floral notes, especially rose and jasmine. Smooth and full, the first sip brings woody and spicy notes such as pepper, oak, nutmeg, curry and ginger. It then evolves on an extremely fruity style with pineapple, coconut, persimmon, dried banana, lemon curd and almond. Great for sipping.
Widely regarded as the finest and most complex grape-based spirit in the world, Cognac follows rigorously strict production guidelines. It is made exclusively of wine—most commonly from Ugni Blanc—from the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions surrounding the town of Cognac in southwestern France. After a second distillation in antique copper pot stills (called charentais), the spirit is transferred to French oak barrels and aged a minimum of two years (VS). Cognac is classified by both age and region (Cru). The Grande Champagne Cru and Petite Champagne Cru, both having shallow limestone soils, are the most respected.