This cognac is an exclusive private bottling within our “Founders Reserve” series, available only at Malternative Belgium. This release will only be available at our booth at the upcoming spirits festivals. 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 Segonzac (the main capital from Grande Champagne), and then rested in a dame-jeanne: a large glass vessel in which time stands still. The result? A natural cask strength of 41,7% vol.
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: A refined nose that opens elegantly with notes of dried apricot, delicate orange peel and soft acacia honey. Beneath that, subtle nuances of walnut, hazelnut and a delicate hint of tobacco unfold. Calm, stylish and particularly inviting.
Taste: Stewed pear, lots of minerality and lightly toasted oak blend together harmoniously. The lively freshness and beautiful acidity give this cognac a remarkable finesse.
Finish: Long, layered and extremely refined. Aged leather and stone fruit.
Label explanation:
The artwork of this cognac is inspired by a real memory. When we were driving back towards Segonzac after a night out in Cognac, an owl suddenly flew up along the road. That image — the silence of the night, the moon above the vineyards and that unexpected appearance — has always stayed with us. The owl became the symbol of that moment for us: mysterious, elegant and fully connected to the nocturnal landscape of Grande Champagne. That’s why we chose to translate that atmosphere into the label. And it’s Delamain, so we’ll keep the bird theme :-)
TV RES = Très vieux réserve (very old reserve)
