pedigree:

Real THOROUGHBRED with 100% of grapes used from estate parcels of GRANDE CHAMPAGNE 1er CRU, Cognac’s most prestigious growth area, yielding rich and intensely flavored grapes. 

SINGLE ESTATE “DNA:” grapes estate grown and harvested, estate distilled in SMALL BATCHES (240l) by Patrick Drouet, estate bottled MOSTLY BY HAND.

EXTENDED AGING:

About 20 years           vs. the required minimum for XO of 7 years, contributing to the top-notch quality of this Cognac.

ACCOLADES:

Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2015,         96 POINTS, FINALIST
"EXTRAORDINARY, ULTIMATE RECOMMENDATION"

Difford’s Guide 2014,                5+/5 STARS
“OUTSTANDING”

Beverage Tasting Institute 2014,            97 POINTS
“SUPERLATIVE”                                      PLATINUM MEDAL

New York International Spirits 2013,           GOLD MEDAL

TASTING NOTES:

COLOUR: Golden Amber.

NOSE: Hazelnut, coffee cake, and mocha, with underlying spices.

PALATE: Wonderful silkiness, with lovely cedar, nutmeg, and sweet brown spice.

FINISH: Sweet and shamelessly long, showing amazing balance.

COMMENTS: Essence of what an XO should taste like, seamless with every drop loaded with flavour.

specs:

VOLUME: 700ml

STRENGTH: 40% abv

craftmanship DISTILLING:

Double Distillation is obligatory for Cognac, giving it its unique taste.

The first distillation takes place traditionally in copper stills. The wine used is low in alcohol favoring aromas concentration. Heated and distilled into a first cloudy distillate of 30% abv.

The second distillation creates a bright spirit of about 70% abv. Only the best “cut” is kept containing delicate aromas, which is then filled into barrels for ageing. This will be Cognac, as we know it. 

Owner Patrick Drouet is an exceptionally talented distiller and craftsman. Passionate about all he does, his true labour of love is distilling. You might find him during the height of the distilling season (Nov-Jan) tending his stills during ungodly hours, resting occasionally on an appointed cot nearby...

BARREL INFORMATION:

Suppliers:
Drouet purchases its barrels from different barrel makers in Cognac. Specifically, their own suppliers are Doreau, Marchive, and Allary, the latter for which they seem to have a preference given they are smaller sized. 

Content size:
Their own barrels range from 225 to 550 litres, keeping in mind that the typical range in Cognac is from 350 to 400 litres. 

Provenance :
Almost every year, Drouet purchases new barrels. The barrels from Allary are made with oak trees from the Limousin region. The (wood) grain is rather on the larger side with a darker toasting, which gives spicy, and roasted flavours/aromas. Larger wood grain is rather typical for Cognac, which is different than for the wine industry that requires finer grain. Larger grain wood typically comes from faster growing oak trees.

Futs :
A barrel can be used up to a maximum of 60 years, assuming that it is regularly looked after and kept in good shape.

One should remember that when an Eau de Vie (EDV) or spirit comes out of the alembic, it goes straight into new barrels, for colouring and tannin acquisition.  

If the barrel is new, the EDV stays for 6 months in the barrel. Then it is transferred (via pump) to an older barrel. If the barrel has already once contained EDV, the new EDV will be kept therein for 8-10 months.

Then the EDV will be transferred to older used barrels. It is up to Patrick via frequent barrel tastings and monitoring, who will decide of the barrel change.

For VSOP, one uses a barrel that has been utilized for at least more than 3 years. More a Cognac ages, more it is transferred into older barrels to round it off, and minimize taking on new wood characteristics. In this regard, a XO and Paradis Hors d’Age will be aged in barrels that are 30-40 years old.

For more information on the Allary barrel maker click here

DISTILLERY:

In the hands of 4th generation PATRICK DROUET, this artisan distillery is nestled close to the town of Cognac. Its vineyards situated in GRANDE CHAMPAGNE 1er CRU, the top growth area or «cru» of Cognac, yield elegant eaux de vie that receive long ageing in French oak barrels to reach optimal maturity. Accomplished master distiller, Patrick Drouet, is a true “modern style old schooler" blending the best of traditional methods and new thinking. Between tending the vines, harvesting, vinification, distilling, ageing, and bottling, all taking place on the estate, Drouet is the essence of a SINGLE ESTATE Cognac. Produced in small quantities and distilled with great precision and passion, Drouet Cognacs are benchmarks, pure, and stunningly smooth. Drouet is quickly establishing itself as one of Cognac’s top family owned estates, attested by its impressive accolades in recent years. 

RESOURCES:

For more information on Drouet XO Ulysse cognac click here