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Cognac question

Kingantz

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,657
Location
Hartsville, SC
I just bought this bottle of Courvoisier champagne cognac, looks like it's got a good bit of age on it. Anyone have any idea how to tell the age on this thing? There's a number A09207 and a tax seal with a number.

I've also never had this particular Champagne cognac and wanted to see if anyone coud tell me if it's a good drink. Not that I'm going to open it or anything ;)

Courvoisier1.jpg
Courvoisier2.jpg
 
I can't tell you how old it is, but it certainly looks like something that hasn't been available for quite some time. Whatever the age, it would not improve the quality as spirits age in the barrel, not the bottle. It may have some collectible value, though.

As far as the "Cognac Fine Champagne" designation, that refers to the vineyard area of the region the grapes were harvested from. Fine Champagne is a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, the two best appellations of Cognac. You would expect the most expensive Cognacs, the ones that get the most barrel ageing, to be Grande Champagne.

gandmlove said:
I just bought this bottle of Courvoisier champagne cognac, looks like it's got a good bit of age on it. Anyone have any idea how to tell the age on this thing? There's a number A09207 and a tax seal with a number.

I've also never had this particular Champagne cognac and wanted to see if anyone coud tell me if it's a good drink. Not that I'm going to open it or anything ;)

Courvoisier1.jpg
Courvoisier2.jpg
Click to expand...
 
The tax stamp doesn't have a state printed on it? Over the seal stamps haven't been used in quite some time, I'm thinking 20 years or so.
 
Thanks for the info AVB. The seal has A. (something, paper is so old the second letter is gone) Taylor and New York, NY. There is a number, however I've forgotten what it was from there to here. Same as the other side, one of the numbers looks like it's missing where the paper rubbed against the metal framing of the canon holder. I did send a letter to Courvoisier with pictures and all the info I could get off the bottle, however I haven't heard anything back as yet. It's extremely tempting to open this thing and try out the contents! Thanks again for the information!!
 
This looks like a vintage bottle of Courvoisier Napoleon. Cognac's don't bottle age so if this is a Napoleon it should taste the same as a new bottle of Napoleon. Courvoisier is famous for preserving their flavor consistency through the years. This bottle should have a cork. As long as the cork is good the cognac is good. Napoleon is going to be my next bottle, I had some at a resturant and it was very good.

Keith
 
C'mon, open that sucker, you know you wanna! :p

It would be very cool if you could find out what modern Courvoisier this one might correspond to and do a head-to-head tasting...see if they really have been keeping a consistant flavor over the decades.
 
Well....it's purdy.... :laugh:

I've got a couple blends I don't know a lot about. Did some searching and got a little on Bell's, however not a lot on Stewart's.

Ever heard of or tried either of these?

StewartDundee.jpg
StewartDundee2.jpg
StewartDundee3.jpg
StewartDundee4.jpg


Bells.jpg
 
gandmlove said:
Thanks for the info AVB. The seal has A. (something, paper is so old the second letter is gone) Taylor and New York, NY. There is a number, however I've forgotten what it was from there to here. Same as the other side, one of the numbers looks like it's missing where the paper rubbed against the metal framing of the canon holder. I did send a letter to Courvoisier with pictures and all the info I could get off the bottle, however I haven't heard anything back as yet. It's extremely tempting to open this thing and try out the contents! Thanks again for the information!!
Click to expand...

Just received the below from Courvoisier. I'm planning to pop this sucker soon to give it a try and will post how it goes.

AVB - have you had any experience with the blends I posted in this thread? I also just came across a bottle of Whyte & McKay blended 21yo (bottle is circa 1960's). Any input on it as well? Thanks!!

Dear Sir

Thank you so much for your these photos and we are glad to send you information regarding your bottle of Courvoisier Napoleon.
While the serial number does not have any impact on history of the quality (just an internal procedure), we can confirm that our quality Napoleon dates back to 1960/1970 and is still produced. Its blend is "Fine Champagne" = a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne (with at least 50% of the first one) : two of the best crus of the delimited cognac area.

As cognacs do not improve in bottle (ageing is only in oak barrels), the cognac inside your bottle of Napoleon is exactly the same than on time of the bottling (i.e 15-25 years old) as long as the bottle has not been opened and stored in good conditions : not under direct light, not on its side and in a room not too warm or too cold.

We hope this information is helpful.

With our best Courvoisier regards
 
The Stewart's Cream of the Barley is still produced by Chivas Brothers although I don't think it is 21 years old now just 12. Oddly, it is the largest selling scotch in Ireland.

Bells is still made too and is especially popular in their decanters which are collected world wide.

The Whyte & Mckay 21 is still made at that age and older and younger too.

If I was going to open them I'd start with the Stewart's since that age isn't bottled any longer. The other two are just old versions of currently available bottles and would be good to do a side by side with the newer ones but I wouldn't expect any major differences.


Edit: spelling
 
I enjoyed the ruby Sandeman (read HERE). It was VERY sweet, but went extremely well with a HDM Excalibur...deeelicious! I have yet to pop the tawny, but I expect it to be enjoyable as well. I've heard a lot of good things about Whiskers, if NorCalCigarLover recommends it...then get it! :D
 
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