Cognac is rarely born of a single eau-de-vie or a single growing area, but generally from a blend of different ages and crus, sometimes up to a hundred of them.
It can be made also exclusively from certain “cru”, for example exclusively from “Grande Champagne”, but of different ages.
Grande Champagne : about 13,000 hectares of clay and compact chalk soil. The Grande Champagne cru is located around the town of Segonzac. It produces a very fine, high-quality Cognac. It is known as the Premier Cru du Cognac.
Petite Champagne : some 16,000 hectares of clay and a more compact chalky layer of soil. Petit Champagne is very much of the same quality, but a touch lighter. It’s vineyards lie to the south-west and south-east of Grande Champagne.
Fine Champagne : The blending of Grande and Petite Champagne with a minimum of 50% of Grande Champagne is called “Fine Champagne”.
Borderies : only 4,000 hectares of unique soil on the plateau above Charente river. The eau de vie has a slight nutty taste. Borderies, which lie around the town of Burie (north-west of City of Cognac), is the smallest of the crus in the terms of acreage. Eaux-de-vie from Borderies has rich, flowery aromas and it is known as "…Cognac that ladies prefer".
Fins Bois : 37,000 hectares of soil. characterized by quick aging environment. A subtle flowery bouquet characterizes this eau de vie. The largest, and by far the intriguing cru, is Fins Bois. Geographically, it rings the other three crus. It lies, approximately, in the triangle between the towns of Rouilliac, Matha and Pons. It has a rich, full, strong aromas with a touch of the maritime climate.
Bons Bois : less chalky but more earthy soil of 16,000 hectares that is well reflected in the eau de vie.
Bois Ordinaires et Bois Communs (Bois a Terroir); 30,000 hectares of soil influenced by the Atlantic climate. Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires are the exterior crus heavily influenced by the climate of the Atlantic ocean. They contribute less and less to the overall production of Cognac but are, nevertheless, known to produce some interesting Cognacs.
Louis Bouron - VSOP
Family Property since 1832, Louis Bouron is one of the only owners whose vineyard is spread over 3 of the best growths (crus) of the official region of the Cognac. Thanks to this specificity, their Cognac and Pineau des Charentes are the result of a smooth combination of the roundness & suppleness of Fins Bois, the violet flavour of Borderies and the floral bouquet of Petite Champagne.
Louis Bouron - VS
Family Property since 1832, Louis Bouron is one of the only owners whose vineyard is spread over 3 of the best growths (crus) of the official region of the Cognac. Thanks to this specificity, their Cognac and Pineau des Charentes are the result of a smooth combination of the roundness & suppleness of Fins Bois, the violet flavour of Borderies and the floral bouquet of Petite Champagne.
Leyrat - XO Vieille Réserve
Old gold in colour.
A complex nose opens with nutty aromas, pastry and butterscotch and a hint of dry leaves.
The nose evolves to more pronounced dry fruit and nuts with vanilla undertones.
The palate is present and initially quite dry with the long clean finish typical of Leyrat cognacs.
Many awards at spirits competitions.
Leyrat - XO Elite
Old gold in colour.
The nose is more delicate than the X.O. with dominant floral aromas and mature wood character. It evolves to spice, pepper and sandalwood as well as the walnuts and irises typical of fine ‘rançio’.
The palate is complex, dense and outstandingly long.
Many awards at spirits competitions.
Leyrat - Très Vieux
Deep old gold in colour.
The nose epitomises Cognac having been aged for a prolonged period with a panoply of spicey and cigar-box aromas. With time oakier notes appear and damp leafy humus with a hint of forest mushroom.
The palate is long and spicy with honey and a slightly dry finish typical of such venerable Cognac.
Leyrat - Extra
Old gold in colour.
The nose has remarkable floral freshness with leafy undertones.
This first impression yields to fine spice, notably cinnamon and pronounced aromas of stewed fruit and quince. The palate is exceptional for its smoothness, packed with peach and apricot flavours and with a hint of resin and honey in an elegant and powerful finish.
Léopold Gourmel - Promenade en Cognac 3 x 20cl
Age of Fruit - Age of Flowers - Age of Spices. For the first time recognize the three natural aromatic stages, memorize them easily and select them according to the different instances.
Le Roch - XO Fine Champagne
The nose is prune, cinnamon and liquorice.
The tannins are supple, oily and silky on the palate.
No bitterness. There is a distinctive smoky scent.
Le Roch - VSOP Petite Champagne
This is a 10 years old cognac with an amazing bouquet, making it one of the best in its class.
Le Réviseur - XO
Amber in colour.
The initial nose has soft oak and vanilla. The nose develops to a very elegant ‘rancio’ with delicious dried fruit and nut aromas.
The palate is soft and lingering with liquorice and ‘rancio’ flavours.
Many awards at spirits competitions.
