The story of Courvoisier started in Paris in the early 1800s with founders, Louis Gallois and Emmanuel Courvoisier. Based in Bercy, the business flourished, won medals and the love of Paris.
Courvoisier reputation grew so quickly that their warehouses and distillery were honored with a visit from the Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Inspired by the tasting experience, he started giving a ration of cognac to troops tp lift their morale during the ongoing Napoleonic wars.
Napoleon III, nephew and heir to Napoleon Bonaparte, also personally requested Courvoisier, delineating it as the official cognac of the Imperial Court. The same choice was made by the Royal Courts of Denmark, England and Sweden.
In 1828, Courvoisier and Gallois became known simply as "Courvoisier" as the company focused on its true passion : producing cognac. They relocated the company from Paris to Jarnac, a small town on the banks of Charente river in the heart of the cognac region and remains there to this day. It is worth noting that in 1909 the French authorities legally decreed that a spirit could only be called cognac only if it adhered to strict fermentation, distillation and ageing requirements and produced entirely in Cognac region of France.
It has always been considered as one of the best cognacs in the world and over the years several ways of accurately defining the quality if the cognac has been devised. In fact, it was the British, with their love of cognac who had the biggest impact on grading. Most of today's major grades of cognac, date back to 1910 and were English abbreviations, VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and XO (Εxtra Old).
As someone would expect from the spirit that made the toast for the grand opening of Eiffel Tower in 1889, Courvoisier is the perfect choice to celebrate what each one of us defines as success.
Courvoisier VS Cognac, is a blend of several crus aged between three and seven years composed principally of Fins Bons with a balancing hand of Petite Champagne. The fusion of younger and older cognacs gives Courvoisier VS Cognac a fruity, delicate taste and a bouquet filled with a ripe fruit and spring flowers. The aroma is rich, fresh and oaky balanced with the vigour of a young cognac.
Nose: Rich aromas of spring flowers, soft red grapes, ripe fruits and fresh oak balanced with the strength of this young cognac/
Mouth: Strong, clean and harmonious character, Slips down easily with intense and as rich as its aromas. Red wine, flower honey and a light sense of cherries.
Food Pairing: Preserves with grapes or cherries.
Courvoisier VSOP is a skillfully crafted cognac that is a blend of several crus with a perfect balance between Fins Bons, Grande and Petite Champagnes, at the peak of their aromatic potential and aged for at least five years. The result is a bright, golden and amber cognac, exquisitely balanced with notes of peach and toasted almond with gentle hinds of vanilla and jasmine.
Nose: Floral, fruity with peach notes, grilled almond vanilla, cinnamon, oak from the barrel, bergamot and jasmine.
Mouth: Fine, light, distinctive, with a very good balanced and tender finish, that stays in memory and reminds us senses of sweet dessert wine, vanilla and sweet citrus fruits peels.
Food Pairing: Bitter chocolate (65%) with orange zest.
Courvoisier XO is a selection of the Master Blender of beautifully matured eau de vie, aged from 11 to 25 years, to highlight the complexity and richness of cognac aromas. The final golden product, is intensively aromatic and flavourful, with a velvety texture and a aromatic bouquet, laced with hints of Crème Brûlée, candied orange and iris flower.
Nose: Iris flowers, candied orange, Crème Brûlée, burned sugar, all spice, sun-dried grape.
Mouth: Velvety, exotic, with rich aromatic bouquet in the finish. Long-lasting aftertaste with intense elements of caramel, sweet oak from the barrel, plum, sweet spices and leather..
Food Pairing: Crème Brûlée or candied plum.
