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.
The third of Frapin's not-as-revolutionary-a-concept-as-they'd-like-you-to-think 'Multi Millesime' (multi-vintage) special cuvee bottlings and, while we might quibble about the concept, there's no arguing with the quality - these are spectacular cognacs. A triumph.
Delemain's excellent Très Venerable Cognac de Grande Champagne, blended from spirit averaging 45-50 years of age, and cut from a strength of 45% down to 40% using old, weaker eaux-de-vie to maximise the depth of flavour.
32 US fluid ounces of pure, unadulterated Martell Cognac. This 1960s release of their VSOP Médaillon has been kept in excellent conditions and is still a delicious chestnut colour.
A 1981 vintage cognac from Delamain, using first growth grapes from Mainxe. It was matured in their hallowed Vintage Celler in Jarnac for 30 years before selection and bottling.
An elegant decanter from Leyrat, containing their Glory Extra Cognac. This cognac has come from a group of barrels hidden at the back of Leyrat's "Chai Paradise" cellar. There are no records as to how long the casks had sat maturing, but it's at least 40 years old.
An old Cognac from AE Dor's Vieille Reserve range of numbered releases. Made from eaux-de-vie sourced from Grande Champagne it is long aged but surprisingly light and fresh for one so old.
Exceptionally fine, rare cognac of remarkable purity. Product of a single cask aged between 50 and 60 years. Unblended, with the alcohol naturally reduced by age.
An old bottle of Hine Antique Fine Champagne. The current edition is now declared an XO, but still used a very similar bottle design this its predecessor. We estimate that this was bottled sometime in the 1960s.