To celebrate its 200-year anniversary, the family firm of Delamain Cognac, founded in 1824, is introducing two exceptional new blends: L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire launched as a limited edition, and L’Oiseau Rare which will be a permanent addition to the range. L’Edition Rare du Bicentenary is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional blends the Maison has released in its two centuries of history, containing a once-in-a-lifetime blend of extra-old cognacs selected and nurtured by five cellar masters across the last century.
Five cellar masters and five generations of Delamain family are responsible for the making and storing of the aged cognac that was blended into the L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire.
There is a certain magic to the creation of cognac—no wonder it is often referred to as alchemy or an elixir of life. The process starts with white wine—preferably with low alcohol and acidity—made with Ugni blanc grapes (Saint-Émilion); then it is distilled twice in copper pot stills into what is known as eau-de-vie and aged two to 14 years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais. After this time, it is transferred to large glass bottles called bonbons and stored for future blending.
To define a cognac, especially a very rare one, everything comes into play, the grapes used, the type of copper pot, the wood for the barrels and how they were made, and finally, the blend of different eau-de-vie used to create the end nectar. Cognac falls under a French appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC), which means that for a spirit to be called “cognac”, it must come from the commune of the same name, in the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime and follow specific production methods.
The 10-litre dame-jeanne masterpiece was created by expert goldsmiths and Galerie Goossens, containing Delamain L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire.
It takes practice, and after two centuries and nine generations in the hands of the same family, Delamain knows what they are doing. The star of their celebratory year is, undoubtedly, L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire. A blend of five Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie, all extremely rare, that were selected by five cellar masters over a century. Each eau-de-vie was unearthed and nurtured by one of the last five generations of the Delamain family during their time at the House, representing a different vintage and micro terroir. They matured in different casks before being transferred, one after the other, to dames-jeannes (the bonbonnes) and stored for decades in a dark corner of one of the oldest cellars in Jarnac.
The bicentenary edition is an outstanding cognac with great presence, depth, and enduring fruity aromas. L’Edition Rare du Bicentennaire has been released in both a state-of-the-art 10-litre dame-jeanne (a bonbonne) and 200 exclusive 70cl bottles (£6,000 per bottle). These are individually numbered and presented in an oak gift box featuring an exclusive medallion, the presentation of which, will entitle the bearer to a private tasting with Delamain’s Cellar Master in Jarnac.
The medallion and one of two hundred 70cl limited edition bottles of Delamain L’Edition Rare du Bicentennaire.
The dame-jeanne was created by expert goldsmiths and the revered Parisian House of Goossens, which in the mid-20th century worked with Gabrielle Chanel to create pioneering jewellery for the couture fashion house.
This one-off masterpiece will be sold at an online auction by Bonhams on 6th December 2024. The estimated price ranges between €100,000 – €200,000. Bids can be placed HERE. The successful bidder will also receive an identically decorated 70cl bottle, a decorated pipette crafted by Goossens, and the opportunity to attend a two-day experience at the Delamain House in Jarnac.
The new addition to the Delamain range of cognacs: L’Oiseau Rare.
Finally, as part of its ongoing Bicentenary celebrations, added to its permanent range with an hors d’âge (the oldest barrel-aged) cognac: L’Oiseau Rare, which will be priced at £1,500 per bottle. Find out more, HERE.
Author: Andrew Hildreth
Opening image: the full set on auction at Bonhams, the unique Goossens decorated dame-jeanne, the 70cl bottle, and pipette.
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