Eight innovative Cognacs to try
1 Camus Borderies Special Dry
POA/50cl camus.fr†, Cognac Expert†
Camus continues its exploration of the Borderies cru with this supple, fruit-and-flowers Cognac matured in fine-grained, gently toasted Limousin oak for a dry finish. Relatively youthful – three to eight years old – and perfect for mixing. Alcohol 40%
2 Courvoisier Mizunara
£2,250/70cl Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt,
The Whisky Exchange
Grippy and assertive by Courvoisier standards, with the house’s trademark juicy fruit edging into more exotic territory, the whole given a perfumed, seductively spicy edge by finishing in Japanese Mizunara oak. Boldly priced, reflecting its rarity. Alc 48%
3 Delamain Pléiade Collection Apogée Mr Dauge’s Testimony
£850/70cl Available via UK agent Mentzendorff Sourced from Bourg-Charente, made in an ancient, small pot still and mainly aged in humid conditions. Rich and dense, with figs, dried apricot and a big lift of anise on the mid-palate. Leather and spice dominate the long-lingering finish. Alc 46%
4 Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2010
£87-£95/70cl Hedonism, House of Malt, The Drinks Emporium, The Whisky Exchange, Urban Bar From Hine’s own estate, this is as pure an expression of vineyard and vintage as you’ll find. Elegant, harmonious and fruit-forward, with a pinch of spice, a nip of menthol and no oak intrusion. Alc 42.1%
5 Ferrand Renegade Barrel No3 Jamaican Rum
£85-£89.95/70cl Distillers Direct, Master of Malt, Milroy’s, The Whisky Exchange
When Grande Champagne meets Jamaican rum casks, the result is technically not Cognac, but an ‘eau-de-vie de vin’, as shown on the label. This is intensely fruity – guava, tangerine and black banana – with notes of nutmeg and coffee roaster. Alc 48.2%
6 Martell Blue Swift
£43.49-£53.95/70cl Widely Available Another Cognac-that’s-not-a-Cognac, thanks to this VSOP’s finishing period in ex-bourbon barrels, bringing rich, sweet notes of grilled pears dusted with cinnamon, vanilla custard and ginger. Toasty, coconutty and eminently mixable. Alc 40%
€65/35cl Cognathèque†
A micro-blend (14 eaux-de-vie) showcasing vineyards with high environmental standards. Young and supple, bright and floral, with orange peel melding into peach and gentle spice. The concept is as admirable as the Cognac. Alc 40%
7 Rémy Martin L’Etape 8 Rémy Martin Tercet
£99-£115 Drink Supermarket, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, The Bottle Club This new addition to the Rémy Martin range highlights the contributions of wine-grower, distiller and blender. Exuberantly fruity – citrus on the nose, darker fruit on the palate – with white chocolate and a linear thread of acidity stitching everything together. Alc 42%