LA FONTAINE DE LA POUYADE Grande Champagne Premier Cru 40% ABV Cognac

In ancient times, the land around I-Lan in Taiwan was called Kavalan, a mysterious land that was solely inhabited by the indigenous people of the Kavalan clan. The name was officially recognized by the Emperor of the Chin dynasty in the year of 1809 when the original city was also built under the same name. Part of the Kavalan Solist series, matured in superior-quality brandy casks individually and meticulously selected to create uniquely fruity characteristics. This cask strength single cask malt whisky is non chill-filtered with natural colour to retain the fullest flavours.

At the Yalta conference at the end of the Second World War, Winston Churchill was so impressed with an Armenian brandy given to him by Stalin, that he asked for 400 bottles of it to be sent to him each year. Churchill was not the only one to enthuse about this jewel of the Caucasus. Agatha Christie and Frank Sinatra were also fans. It impressed the French so much during a blind tasting, they bestowed it with the Gran-prix award at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900, and even permitted the company to call the product “Cognac” instead of brandy - a designation that's otherwise jealously guarded. The accolade was all the more significant when one considers that Brandy production in Armenia covers a fraction of Cognac's history. It began in 1887, when the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC) was founded by a merchant, Nerses Tairyan, with the help of his cousin Vasily Tayrov. They began distilling using classical French equipment at a winery they'd founded earlier inside the former fortress of Yerevan. In 1899, a Russian company, “N.L. Shustov and Sons”, a well-known vodka and liqueur producer purchased YBC.Their brandy soon became the preferred beverage at the Russian Imperial Court. Since then, just like the legendary Mount Ararat, the local specialty has become a symbol of national pride. Indeed, in a country with few natural resources and less than three million people with a per capita incomes around $600 a year, any success seems magnified. After the Soviet system was established in Armenia, the YBC was nationalised and entered a new stage of development. Production expanded considerably. More recently, in 1999, the company became a part of the French drinks conglomerate, Pernod Ricard. It was a move that wasn't at first welcomed by the locals, but when they realised Pernod were in for the long haul, attitudes soon became more accepting. Foreign investment has been scarce in the country. Pernod Ricard's rare success has been cause to celebrate. Armenian brandy remains a product made from Armenian varietals following a regulated production method. Only local grape varieties are used based on the unique microclimate of the Ararat Valley. These include special endemic varietals that are no longer planted outside of Armenia (survivors of the phylloxera epidemics). In all, there are about 13 such varieties, with the main ones being Voskehat, Garan Dmak and Kangun. Once harvested, the grapes are loaded in special horizontal screw presses where berries are pressed in a very gentle way to avoid causing damage to seeds. Different varieties do not get mixed. Double steam distillation preserves the flavour and aroma of the grapes, while the ageing of the brandies is done exclusively in oak barrels. In 2002 the factory rebuilt its own cooperage. The local Armenian oak species which is used has a rather tight grain and is virtually devoid of pores. The trees are at least 70 years old when they're harvested, and only the middle part of the tree is used. The oak imparts its natural flavours and aromas of dried fruits, spices, vanilla and chocolate. Filtered spring water from the Katnakhpiur source is used during blending. Just prior to bottling the brandy is chilled and then filtered twice. YBC possesses approximately 90% of the total reserve of genuine brandy in Armenia. Several YBC brands are inaccessible to the retail network and can only be obtained at factory's shop: "Erebuni" - 25 years, "Kilikia" - 30 years, "Sparapet" - 40 years and "Noah's Ark" - 70 years of ageing in wooden casks. We're pleased to announce the arrival of these world class brandies into Australia. The 20 Year Old is labelled after the legendary Nairi people who inhabited the Kingdom of Urartu that stretched along the shores of Lake Van. The “Country of Rivers”, a rival of the Assyrian Empire, consisted of 23 affluent regions. One of the most powerful ones was the “Land of Nairi”, the forerunner of today’s Armenia, renowned for its impregnable capital Tushpa. To ensure adequate supplies of fresh water the city had a 70-kilometer long canal, which allowed it to withstand many long sieges. Tasting note: Copper colour with pale gold hue. The nose is quite elegant and at first reminiscent of a good Cognac, yielding aromas of dried fruits, spice and vanillan oak. Very warming palate entry, with a full, ripe body. Gently prickling spirit, with spicy plum pudding / raisin flavours, taking an unexpected turn from the nose. Excellent balance. Persistent aftertaste of dried fruits and vanilla oak. This could easily be mistaken for XO Australian brandy. Different, certainly, but a spirit that would make for an exotic alternative to XO Cognac. 41.5% Alc./Vol.

In 1918, a young Japanese man with an ambition to make genuine whisky went alone to Scotland to unveil the secret of whisky making. He is Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. Given the chance to go to Scotland, Masataka became the first Japanese ever to master how to make whisky. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow, took chemistry courses and then apprenticed at three Scotch distilleries. In 1920 Masataka returned to Japan with his Scottish wife Jessie Roberta (Rita). The two had married earlier that year and Rita decided to immigrate to Japan to support her husband’s dream. However after returning to Japan, Masataka and Rita were heartbroken to find out that Settsu Shuzo, the company which invested in Masataka to learn in Scotland, had to abandon its plan to produce genuine whisky in Japan due to recessions after World War I. In the meantime another company, Kotobukiya Limited (Suntory), was in search for someone who could conduct whisky production. Being the only Japanese who knew how to produce whisky at that time, Masataka was hired by Kotobukiya in 1923 to direct building the Yamazaki Distillery. There he led the project and devoted himself to producing Japan’s first genuine whisky. These limited edition 2 bottle set of the Yoichi and Miyagiko has been finished in Nikka’s apple brandy casks and bottled in 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Masataka and Rita’s marriage in 1920. At the foundation in 1934, apple products helped Nikka to keep the business sustainable while the first whiskies were maturing, just like Rita supported Masataka’s dream. Both of these whiskies have the delicate aroma of apples, with the expression showcasing a beautiful harmony of finesse and sweetness brought by apple brandy casks. The Yoichi single malt’s original characteristics appear such as rich malt flavors, gentle peaty notes and smokiness and the Miyagikyo single malt’s has its original characteristics such as distinctive hints of Sherry and spiciness like cinnamon.

Established in Cognac for over 150 years, Meukow has built a strong reputation as masters in the art of distillation, ageing and blending of fine Brandy. Meukow XO is a luxury Cognac; its harmonious and smooth taste the result of meticulous fruit selection, traditional double distillation, prestige oak usage and a long ageing process.

Meukow VSOP Superior is a balanced blend and easy to drink. Have this Cognac on the rocks or with a splash of water. The flavour features some mature fruits, raisins and nuts, a hint of vanilla, and spices are well present. The finish is long, with a little bit of orange peel.

Meukow Palme dOr collection is a selection of rare vintages and exceptional blends offered for limited edition. Rarissime is a blend of exceptional eaux-de-vie aged for up to 80 years, coming from the 2 of the most prestigious cognac appellations, Grande and Petite Champagne. This exceptional and very rare Cognac has very fine aromas of vanilla reinforced by shades of leather and tobacco. Its remarkable aromatic persistence reveals a rich and powerful rancio typical of long aging in oak barrels.

Merlets Lune dAbricot reinvents a traditional product, Apricot Brandy. The Merlets source different varieties of apricots from partner producers in Roussilon to guarantee consistent quality. Thanks to their position as currant growers and winemakers, the Merlets are able to exchange with their partner producers and call on their own expertise to select fruits of optimal ripeness. The apricots are soaked in pure alcohol with some of their kernels to extract all their flavours, then pressed and filtered. This natural fruit infusion is then blended with a little bit of young Cognac for more depth and complexity, before sugar is added to obtain the final liqueur. Complete control of every stages of the process, from sourcing the fruits and selecting only the ripest to their transformation by Merlet, together with the very high concentration of macerated fruits, convert this brandy, made according to an exclusive recipe, into a product of many uses.TASTING NOTESNose: Sophisticated and powerful apricot, with notes of spice, wood, wild flower, exotic fruit (mango) and a hint of almond.Palate: Smooth and lively, with notes of honey (acacia, lime flower), apricot pulp and hints of citrus (lemon, orange). Very long finish, with slight notes of honeysuckle and bitterness. Generous, rich, unctuous and even dry.

The union of cognacs of different ages make it possible to develop a unique style the youngest bring vigour and power, while the oldest bring complexity and maturity. Merlet Brothers Blend can be enjoyed on ice the fruit aromas are highlighted and new floral flavours come to the fore.The fruitiness and elegance of the Merlet Brothers Blend cognac make it very easy to sip and wonderful in cocktails such as the Sidecar. Its fresh and delicate notes work perfectly with other ingredients without overpowering them.

This XO Fine Champagne expresses how the terroir allows a great cognac to rise. Ranked Fine Champagne AOC.Grande Champagne (more than 50%) and Petite Champagne. Powerful, complex and heavy with a nose of violet and a jasmine flavour; a fruity hit of prune, honey and Russian leather in the mouth. Very long ‘old cognac’ feel but with fresh and subtle Aromas.