Delamain reveals rare bicentenary Cognac
Cognac house Delamain has unveiled a limited edition blend of five eaux-de-vies from the past century to mark its 200th anniversary.
Delamain, based in Jarnac in the Cognac region, is marking its 200th anniversary in 2024 with several international events alongside the launch of L’Oiseau Rare Cognac. At a gala celebration in Jarnac last month, Delamain unveiled the launch of a 10-litre dame-jeanne containing a blend of extremely old Cognacs. The dame-jeannes are large, slender-necked glass bottles designed to store Cognac for decades, with Delamain's bottles located in one of the oldest cellars in Jarnac. The new L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire is made only with Grand Champagne eaux-de-vies that have been selected by one of the last five generations of the Delamain family since 1824. These eaux-de-vies were blended by the brand’s last two cellar masters, Dominique Touteau and Charles Braastad, to create the bicentenary release. The oldest eaux-de-vie in the bicentenary blend is attributed to Jean Delamain, who joined the company in 1924. The second was selected by Noël Sauzey, who married the granddaughter of Jacques Delamain and became part of the business in 1950. The third eaux-de-vie was chosen by Alain Braastad (grandson of Robert Delamain), who was hired in 1963. The liquid was harvested, distilled and put into casks by the wives of soldiers fighting in the Great War. Patrick Peyrelongue (who joined in 1979), great-grandson of Robert Delamain, selected the fourth eau-de-vie. The final part of the blend was chosen by Touteau (cellar master since 1992) and Charles Braastad, Alain Braastad’s son and ninth-generation family member. The bicentenary release also marks the handover of the cellar master role from Touteau to Charles (in March 2024) after the former’s 42-year career at Delamain. Charles joined the Cognac producer in 1996, working alongside Touteau for nearly three decades. Charles had the chance to sample eaux-de-vie from the late 19th and early 20th century, which are only accessible to cellar masters. Charles Braastad said: “The House’s upcoming bicentenary was the perfect occasion to open and taste these precious dames-jeannes and to craft a Cognac worthy of its 200-year anniversary. “As we tasted these extraordinary spirits, we were deeply moved and felt immense gratitude towards my cellar master ancestors, who did such a fine job of crafting, selecting, maturing and nurturing these eaux-de-vie, preserving them for their descendants, so that today we can bring them together in this extremely rare and exceptional bicentenary Cognac.” The bicentenary release carries a fruity aroma with flavours of raisin, prune, and black cherry, followed by the richness of roasted almonds and other nuts. There are also hints of mocha coffee, spices, and earthy forest scents. The 10-litre dame-jeanne was decorated by the Maison d’Art Goossens, a Paris-based atelier known for producing bespoke gold art pieces including jewellery and interior décor. The atelier created 245 individual pieces for the Delamain dame-jeanne, with the seven-stage process including the sculpture of two vineyard birds using handmade moulds. After the pieces were gold-plated, the silver soldering technique was used to bring them together. Alongside the 10-litre dame-jeanne, Delamain will release 200 700ml bottles of the bicentenary blend featuring a design by Goossens. Each bottle is nested in an oak wood giftbox embellished with a medal crafted by Goossens to mark the bicentenary. The medal provides the purchaser with the opportunity to enjoy a private tasting with Braastad in Jarnac. Bonhams auction Auctioneer Bonhams will offer the 10-litre bicentenary release (which come with a 700ml bottle of the same blend) in an online auction from 19 November to 7 December 2024. The buyer will also receive a decorated pipette made by Goossens, and the chance to attend a two-day experience in Jarnac with three guests. The 200 bottles of L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire will be available for sale from December 2024, retailing at €6,000 (US$6,652) in selected stores around the world. Delamain is known for producing Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie and its range only includes XO Cognacs and above. Eric Le Bouar, managing director of the House of Delamain, said: “This is obviously a very special year for the House of Delamain as we take a deeper look back on two centuries of thought, creative passion for the natural world and obsessive determination to craft Cognacs like no other. “We feel grateful to the past generations, to the men and women who have patiently preserved and passed down their most precious savoir-faire and eaux-de-vie. Now as then, nature, time and people are at the very heart of everything we do, and the most exquisite Cognacs lie ahead.”
