About this cognac:
As the first independent bottler in the world, we were granted access to the exceptional cellars of the highly renowned Cognac house Delamain.
At Malternative Belgium, we carry out our selections and everything that comes with them with great passion and with deep respect for authenticity and craftsmanship. We work in an especially critical way. As an independent bottler, we always want to offer real added value compared to the producer’s existing range. Delamain is known worldwide for its exquisite Grande Champagne Cognacs. But it is not only the Cognacs themselves that are of an exceptional level; their professionalism, knowledge, and eye for detail are also particularly impressive. And we can say that with confidence, as we have built up quite a bit of experience by now.
This Cognac was bottled at natural cask strength, without any additives. Moreover, this is the very first time that a Delamain Grande Champagne has been bottled at an alcohol strength of more than 50% — an absolute first. On 26 February 2026, this splendid 40-year-old Cognac was drawn straight from the cask and bottled, without the addition of water, sugar, caramel, or wood extract.
This Cognac is also an official 1985 vintage. In the world of Cognac, that is extremely rare: it is estimated that less than 0.3% of the total Cognac stock is an official vintage. In other words: fewer than 1 in 300 casks officially bears a vintage year. And within that small group, more than 90% is also younger than 10 years. On average, therefore, only about 1 in 3,000 casks is a vintage older than 10 years. The fact that this Cognac is no less than 40 years old makes it truly exceptional. In order to be allowed to state the vintage year officially on the label, a cask must be sealed or kept under lock and supervision, under the control of the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac). That process involves considerable administrative follow-up. Producers are furthermore not allowed to open such casks just like that: this can only be done in the presence of an inspector. The fact that Delamain itself also bottles only 1 official vintage single cask per year says enough about how rare this is.
About the producer:
Cognac house Delamain, located in Jarnac, France, is one of the most respected and oldest cognac houses in France. Founded in 1824, but with roots that go much further back in the cognac trade, this prestigious family business has been guaranteeing excellent cognac of the highest quality for almost two centuries.
What makes Delamain special is their unwavering commitment to traditional production methods and their focus on only the finest quality cognac. Their philosophy is as clear as it is demanding: only the very best eaux-de-vie are good enough for their assemblages or single cask selections. A distinguishing feature of Delamain is their aging process. They use only old barrels of neutral wood, allowing the cognac to develop complexity and depth naturally. This is a particularly time-consuming and costly process, but it results in cognacs of extraordinary refinement.
The house is known for its ‘patience’. No cognac leaves the cellars before it has fully matured, which usually means they age significantly longer than the minimum required time. This commitment to quality over quantity has earned Delamain its reputation as a producer of some of the most refined cognacs in the world. Their collection reflects this philosophy, with cognacs that are characterized by elegance, complexity, and an extraordinary finesse that cognac connoisseurs worldwide appreciate. The current cellar master, Charles Braastad, safeguards these values for the ninth generation. He continues the Delamain philosophy by combining knowledge and expertise.
This is a cognac house that does not see tradition as a limitation, but as a foundation upon which excellence is built—a vision that has resulted in cognacs of exceptional quality for generations.
Tasting-notes:Nose: Rich aromas of apricot compote, stewed peach and candied stone fruit, as if a copper jam pan has just been taken off the heat. Beautifully complemented by subtle spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste: Full and powerful on the palate, with lots of apricot compote, dried fruit and mandarin jam. The 51% cask strength adds extra depth and tension, without disturbing the balance. Light speculoos spice and a spoonful of vanilla cream, but perfectly kept in balance by the lively structure of the cognac. The 51% cask strength provides tension and length, without becoming harsh. The spices are beautifully interwoven: cinnamon, clove in the background, a pinch of ground cardamom and a delicate pepperiness that lifts the fruit.
Finish: Long, warm and finely spicy, with a lingering echo of stone fruit compote. The fruit remains strikingly pure, while notes of dried flowers, almond and a hint of tobacco round it off.
Label explanation:
Les Tarins Verts - The Green Siskins (bird species)
At Delamain, the relationship with nature is regarded as extremely important. We were inspired by the history of this cognac house. Traditionally, we place a bird on the label, just as the birds at Delamain also return. Mr. Jacques Delamain (born in 1874) was, in addition to his activities as a négociant in cognac, also a passionate ornithologist. He wrote the book "Pourquoi les oiseaux chantent" ("Why Birds Sing"). In the book, he describes an emotion that begins with the awakening of the day. Through the morning dew, he observes several birds that cheerfully start their activities, happy and peaceful, including several green siskins. Those green siskins also evoke for me, Pieter, blissful childhood memories. Together with my grandpa, we often went birdwatching, and we frequently encountered green siskins in our region. Emotions.
