About this cognac:
There are no words powerful enough to describe the uniqueness of this cognac.
This cognac is pure emotion, a result of friendship and respect. A result of perseverance, dedication, hope, and generations with a vision.
When we were allowed to taste this unique cognac in the cellars of François Voyer in June 2021, in the presence of the owner Pierre Vaudon, we knew that this was the beginning of something beautiful. This Grande Champagne, distilled just a few months after the outbreak of the First World War and rested in a glass demijohn in the 1990s, is the highlight of a series that began 5 years ago. Every year on 21/07, the Belgian national holiday, we bottled an exceptional demijohn in honor of a good collaboration. This cognac is so layered in flavors, and each layer has its story and wants to teach you something. This cognac makes you pause for a moment. Goosebumps.
About the producer:
François Voyer’s 28 hectares of vineyards are located in the Grande Champagne region, the Premier Cru of Cognac, known for producing eaux-de-vie with aromatic power and qualities suitable for long-term aging. François Voyer Cognac is a family-run Cognac house that is passionate about every detail of its production.The cognac house François Voyer transferred to its cellar master and oenologist Pierre Vaudon in 2017 to perpetuate its identity.
Their cognacs develop the typical aromas as they age. The notes of pear, banana or even blackberry in the white eaux de vie are quickly complemented after distillation by the first aromas of oak from the barrels. This combination reveals floral aromas in the young cognacs, which then develop into fruity aromas (peaches, plums, apricots, walnuts and hazelnuts). The aging process leads to spicy (cinnamon, pepper) and complex notes (leather, incense, cedar).The vineyards are in Verrières and Ambleville, and cognac has been produced there since 1870. There is mainly Ugni blanc planted. But recently Folle Blanche was also reintroduced, for the first results we have to be patient.
10% to 20% of each harvest matures for 3 years in new barrels and then in old barrels to refine the aromas. For this, they use French oak from the Limousin region, but also from forests such as Bercée, Le Gâvre or Reno Valdieu. The natural atmosphere in the cellars is more or less humid and influences the finesse or suppleness of the bouquet. Moisture softens eaux de vie, while dry cellars refine them.Every year, 10,000 bottles evaporate from François Voyer’s cellars. In 1 hour, 1 liter of brandy evaporates from the stock. Through natural evaporation, these cognacs reach 40% full in 50 to 60 years. Distilled water is regularly added to the youngest blends. As a result, young, reduced cognacs will be less dense in flavor than old cognacs concentrated by natural evaporation.
The range is classic, with a range of younger expressions, as well as exceptionally old assemblages and vintage bottles. The House of Voyer cherishes traditional knowledge and has an enormous focus on perfectionism. This combined with hard work and you have an excellent match. Definitely one of our favorite cognac houses as they brilliantly manage to set the bar very high throughout the entire range and bottle absolute uncompromising and very recognizable quality.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A complexity that attests to an exceptionally long maturation. Cedar and resin, the kind handball players use to better grip the ball during play. An explosion of fruit: figs, ripe apricots, sweet dates, raisins, and plums. Matured black tea and pipe tobacco. The freshness of mango and passion fruit.
Taste: The wood naturally manifests itself, but in an extraordinarily refined way, elegantly enveloped by wild honey, beeswax, and a rich palette of citrus marmalades (both orange and mandarin, as well as bergamot). A sublime visit to the Ambiorix shoe factory!
Finish: A fascinating tension arises between the rustic elements and an unexpected freshness that continues to linger. Layer after layer, pure class!
Explanation label:
La Gardienne, the guardian. The men left for the war front, she took care of an exceptional harvest – the distillation and preservation of this paradisiacal cognac. Even though no one knew then what was to come, how fortunate we are today that this cognac was guarded and preserved.
