Distiller Notes
Wine-growers in the French region of Saintonge for over two centuries, the Merlet family installed its first still around 1850 in order to begin distilling and producing Cognac. Over several generations, they have refined their craft and now produce unique eau de vie that are characteristic of the Saintonge terroir. Everything, from the alchemy of the still’s copper to the oak of the barrels, comes together over time to allow their eaux de vie to blossom into harmonious Cognacs.
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.