This cognac is an exclusive private bottling within our “Founders Reserve” series, available only at Malternative Belgium. From time to time we come across a special dame-jeanne or part of a cask that simply cannot be overlooked: too unique to pass up, but due to the limited quantity not suitable to fully serve both B2B and B2C. Founders Reserve bottlings therefore do not carry numbering like our regular range, but form a separate private bottling selection within the Malternative Belgium label.
About this cognac:
Some cognacs don’t need explaining – you just feel them. This Grande Champagne from Delamain is one of those. The Paradis of Delamain is the treasure chamber that 9 generations have worked hard on and for, the Valhalla for every passionate bottler. More than forty years of cask maturation and distilled from Ugni Blanc, sourced from the chalky slopes around Verrières, and then rested in a dame-jeanne: a large glass vessel in which time stands still. The result? A natural cask strength of 44.8% vol. No sugar, no tricks – only grape, wood and patience. The volatile congeners are far above the norm: this is not a tired old cognac, but a Grande Champagne that still sparkles after four decades.
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: Dried apricot, orange peel and acacia honey, with walnut, hazelnut and a hint of tobacco underneath. Deep, serene, inviting.
Taste: Velvety soft yet very present. Stewed pear, ripe fig, toasted oak. Surprisingly fresh thanks to the lively acidity – not tired.
Finish: Long and complex. Walnut, old Madeira, liquorice, a touch of salinity.
Label explanation:
At the centre is a Eurasian jay – the "oak jay" – a bird that hides acorns and thus unconsciously plants new oaks. Ysatis’s favourite bird; we also often see it in the bushes in Hasselt during our walks. A fitting symbol for a cognac shaped by decades in oak and the patience of generations. The Eurasian jay also has a beautiful blue wing; you may well call it Delamain blue ;-) !
TV RES = Très vieux réserve (very old reserve)
