A. Edmond Audry > France

COGNAC The house of A. Edmond Audry, founded in 1878 by the great-great-grand father of the current owner, specialized at the outset in sales of very old Cognac and quickly made an excellent name for itself. A book entitled COGNAC ILLUSTRE published in 1898 contained the following reference: “Audry has a widespread reputation. Its success is undoubtedly due to perfect distillation methods and the great care taken in producing fine quality Cognac.” Sixty years ago, upon the death of Aristide Boisson (who had married Miss Odette Audry in 1905), the Audry Company stopped selling cognacs, though still keeping back some very old stocks, put in reserve, waiting for a later date. Finally, in 1978, Bernard Boisson, the current owner and grandson of Arisitide, decided to perpetuate the family tradition that had remained dormant for four decades. MAKEUP AND AGE OF THE SPIRITS: Reserve Speciale Fine Champagne 40% Grande Champagne 40% between 20 and 25 years 10% more than 30 years Petite Champagne 20% between 15 and 20 years 20% between 20 and 25 years 10% more than 25 years Memorial Fine Champagne 42% Grande Champagne 38% between 23 and 30 years 20% between 35 and 40 years 5% between 45 and 50 years 2% more than 60 years Petite Champagne 33% between 25 and 30 years 2% more than 50 years Exception Fine Champagne 43% Grande Champagne 25% between 30 and 35 years 25% between 40 and 45 years 5% vintage 1928 5% vintage 1922 Petite Champagne 20% between 30 and 35 years 10% between 40 and 45 years 7% vintage 1939 3% vintage 1914 Tres Ancienne Reserve Aristide 50% Grande Champagne 100% Cask strength

Réserve Spéciale Fine Champagne 40%

This blend evenly divided between Grandes and Petites Champagnes from the 1978 and subsequent vintages was blended in 1994 after ageing in oak barrels. From then on, ageing took place in barrels previously used for very old Cognac. The bouquet is enticing, but unagressive, with subtle, well-aged aromas and hints of vanilla and cinnamon. The wood is understated and well-integrated. The palate corresponds to the bouquet and the fruitiness of the Grande and Petite Champagne regions. The taste is altogether elegant and subtle. The aftertaste is beautifully long as befits such an old Cognac. A very well-balanced blend that has an extraordinary way of melting in the mouth. Remarkable overall balance.

Memorial Fine Champagne 42%

In 1984 "Le Mémorial", the first great blend since re-opening has been released. The success of this superb Cognac was overwhelming. This benchmark Cognac is 65% Grande Champagne with the rest Petite Champagne, giving it tremendous structure, power and complexity. Rich and deep, this Cognac is composed of very old stocks, some dating back more than 60 years, which have naturally diminished in alcoholic power. The extraordinary balance of the long, persistent finish is largely due to the slow oxidation of tannins that occurs over long periods of time, a hallmark of the greatest Cognacs. This is in no way a ‘light” Cognac, like the kind so many producers have rushed to produce. Rather, this is an “old-fashioned” sort of Cognac: deep, full, and worthy of calm, serene enjoyment. Its long, lingering aftertaste seems especially well-balanced because the hint of spicy bitterness from the oak has been tempered over the years due to the slow oxidation of tannin. This oxidation is one of the mysteries (or should we say "miracles”) of an alchemy that takes into account time, Cognac spirit, oak and the dark, silent cellars where the world’s greatest brandies are aged. Blending is done three years before bottling, in a 50 hectoliter wooden vat. When the blend is ready, and fully corresponds to what we are looking for, about a quarter volume of a previous “Mémorial” blend is added. This is what is called pied de coupe in French. The aging process finishes off in small 350 liter barrels that have been carefully selected from among ones that have previously contained the oldest Cognac. This final three year period makes it possible for all of Memorial’s qualities to mesh and become focused, well balanced and reach a classical pitch. This final step is unusual these days, and costly, but it is what distinguishes this superlative Cognac. Le Mémorial is served, along with other Audry rarities, by many of Europe's most highly esteemed chefs; masters such as Joël Robuchon, Alain Ducasse & Troisgros. “Memorial is the very quintessence of its noble origins and has its own strong personality.”

Exception Fine Champagne 43%

Exception represents the top-of-the-line of the regular Audry offerings, with only the very finest stocks going into the final blend. Conceived with the same philosophy as the Mémorial, Exception uses even older stocks, some dating back as far as 1914. With this exceptional Cognac, Audry marries strength and power with subtlety and finesse in perfect harmony.

Très Ancienne Grande Champagne 50% Reserve Aristide

Audry Tres Ancienne Cognacs are made from exceptionally small lots of the same origin (unblended), from vintages at least 50 years old and bottled at Cask Strength. Audry believes that an appellation's qualities only come to the fore when they are tasted in their natural state, before distilled water has been added. Because natural reduction of alcohol is extremely slow and costly, very few Cognacs are made this way. Très Ancienne shows surprising vigor and regional character with a remarkably rich, complex bouquet and an astonishingly long finish. The rate at which a Cognac’s alcohol level goes down varies over the years. It depends on the type, size and age of barrels used, but more importantly on storage conditions (temperature, aeration and humidity). There is thus no hard and fast rule on the subject, although it has been noticed that a Cognac often loses its first 10% alcohol (from 70% to 60%) after about 20 years, and the next 10% another 25 years. The rate of further alcohol reduction slows down as time goes on. The long, slow development of natural sugar is one of the main facets of barrel aging, as are increased tannin, oxidation, and evaporation (both in terms of total volume and alcohol). Wood aging gives very old Cognac its incomparable quality and flavor. Oenologists at the Cognac viticultural center analysed a test sample of Grande Champagne Cognac and discovered that the natural sugar levels were as follows : nil at one year, 0.1 gramme per litre after 5 years, 0.5 gramme par litre after 15 years and 1 full gramme per litre after 40 years. These reasons help explain why small lots of “Tres Ancienne Cognacs” have their own special identity. They sometimes show a surprising amount of vigor or regional character, they all share is a remarkably rich bouquet and an astonishly long, refined, aftertaste.

Pineau des Charentes Blanc

A local specialty, this is a blend of Cognac and white-wine grape juice. It is enjoyed with foie gras, as an aperitif or after a meal.

Pineau des Charentes Rouge

A local specialty, this is a blend of Cognac and red-wine grape juice. It is enjoyed with foie gras, as an aperitif or after a meal.

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