About Drouet et Fils Cuvée Ulysse XO Grande Champagne Cognac
Drouet et Fils Cuvée Ulysse XO Grande Champagne Cognac is made exclusively from grapes harvested in mid-September from the Grande Champagne region. "This is the nerve racking period," says Drouet. Once the grapes have been picked, they are immediately pressed and fermented before being distilled twice through a traditional, 10-hectoliter alembic charentais still. "This is a very important step," says Drouet, "and that is why, over the winter, the tempo of our lives is governed by the slow rhythm of the stills which heat constantly, night and day."
Following distillation, the cognac is matured in casks ranging in size from 250 liters to 400 liters. "The eau-de-vie ages for between six months and one year in new barrels and gets its colour from the wood, slowing turning straw yellow. The Cognac is then transferred to older barrels for many long years and this is where it gradually acquires a magnificent amber colour and subtle flavours."
Drouet et Fils Cuvée Ulysse XO Grande Champagne Cognac is matured for an average of twenty years, giving the cognac a deep copper-reddish hue and an aroma of cashews, chewy leather, honeyed tobacco and oak. Notes of milk chocolate, orange zest, tropical fruits and wild spices dominate the palate, and lead to an exquisite finish with hints of cedar, brown sugar and spices.
The cognac earned a score of 97 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, which called it "superlative"and said that it was "sure to please both cognac novices and connoisseurs." In addition, it earned the Platinum Medal at the International Review of Spirits Awards.
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About Drouet et Fils
Situated on the banks of the Charente River, the Cognac region of France is divided into six different crus (cru is French term for growth zones): Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois and Bois Ordinaire. The Grande Champagne cru, which comprises approximately 34,000 hectares, is known for its quiet hills and rich, chalky soil, and is considered to produce the finest cognac in the region.
The Drouet & Fils Estate comprises just over 50 acres and is situated in the heart of the Grande Champagne Cru. The estate was purchased by Jean L'Homme in 1848, who was a master distiller and was awarded a diploma at the Grand Prix d'Eaux-De-Vie at the Universal Exhibition in Brussels in 1897. Today, his great-great grandson, Patrick Drouet, continues to shepherd the family legacy forward.
About Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France.
Because the French take it very seriously, there are numerous rules cognac makers have to follow not to fall “short” into the brandy category.
The white wine from the specific grapes (Ugni blanc) has to be doubly distilled in a copper pot still before being aged for at least two years in oak casks from which the wood can only come from two specific forests in France (Limousin or Tronçais).
Depending on the age, there are three types of cognac, the youngest V.S. (Very Special), V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale), and the X.O. (Extra Old)
You’re welcome to check our fantastic cognac selection, find your favorite from the top 10 cognac/brandy list, or explore the Best cognacs under $100.
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