Special Cuvées are cognacs that are not labelled with the standard classifications of VS, VSOP and XO. Included in this section are Napoleon and Extra cognacs (aged, like XOs, a minimum of six years before bottling) alongside a great variety of vintage cognacs and other proprietary bottlings.
Paul Beau's Vielle Reserve is rich and densely-textured cognac, as seems to be the house style from this producer. Soft as a fluffy cushion to begin with, then slowly grips hold of the tastebuds. Honey and fine-grained oak tannins are here, but the balance is provided by the mouthwatering fruit. Extrememly classy stuff.
A single producer 1973 vintage cognac from Bache Gabrielsen, made solely using grapes from M Laides in Sainte Seurin de Panelle in Petite Champagne. It's a very limited release of a rustic and fruity cognac, which will be a hit amongst Bache Gabrielsen fans. Please note that this is a 35cl bottle
A Courvoisier named to celebrate Napoleon's great love for Courvoisier. This is slightly problematic, given that Napoleon I died fourteen years before Courvoisier was founded, but he did apparently tour wine & spirit merchant Emmanuel Courvoisier's cellars once, and Napoleon III did make Courvoisier an official supplier to the Imperial Court in 1869. That's good enough for the marketing department.
Created by Bernard Hine in collaboration with Nicholas Freeman of cigar purveyors Hunter & Frankau, this rich, deep, spicy Cigar Reserve is the perfect match for a fine stogie.
Ragnaud Sabourin's Lot no.20, the Réserve Speciale. It's a 100% Ugni Blanc cognac produced in Grande Champagne and aged for at least 20 years to give a rich and rounded palate.
This is the most decorated cognac that we know of. It has won 5 Gold Medals at Concours Général de Paris since 2000, plus numerous medals at the IWSC. In 2009, Paul Beau was awarded a special prize in Paris for the consistency of their products. An exceptional cognac, with plenty of “rancio” flavour.
A long-aged XO-style aged reserve cognac from the Chez Maillard house of Leyrat, an excellent boutique single estate cognac producer. This is one of their most highly-regarded cuvées, winning a string of medals at international competitions.
An elegant fruitbomb, this medium-bodied Vieille Reserve from respected single estate producers Guillon Painturaud is quite a feminine cognac, delicate and approachable with ripe raisin & fig flavours.
An award winning cognac from Estève, the Trés Vieille Réserve de la Famille is matured for over 35 years before bottling to create a well balanced yet complex spirit.
A 12 Year Old Grosperrin, made from a blend of eaux-de-vie from Petite Champagne. All Grosperrin's cognacs are very clean and pure, being bottled without any colour or additives and can be used to create stunning cocktails.