Advent Calendar Archives

Ragnaud Sabourin XXO Grande Champagne Cognac

Ragnaud Sabourin XXO Cognac

2nd December 20252nd December 2025Coldorak

We’re back to Cognac advent calendars for our second year, with this time again, the Cognac-Expert advent calendar. Before we start with the first cognac of this 2025 Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, a Ragnaud Sabourin XXO Cognac, let me add a disclaimer, for transparency purposes. If you read my reviews last year, you saw that most of the cognacs were delicious or even utterly splendid, with just a few of them being of a lower level. But, once again, this was my own and humble opinion, based on my analysis and my preferences, so it’s not the Holy Word. If last year I had bought myself the advent calendar, I was lucky that this year it was sent to me by Cognac-Expert directly, with no strings attached. We were all clear that I would still write what I want and what I think, as I’ve always done, and as I plan to always do. Thanks again to Taylor at Cognac-Expert, who handled all that. It’s very appreciated! End of disclaimer, let’s crack on with the holy liquid that was in yesterday’s pouch!

Balmenach 15yo Batch 4 That Boutique-y Whisky Company

1st September 202531st August 2025Coldorak

We stay another day on the advent calendar with the next window, the third of the 2024 Boutique-y Advent Calendar, where we found a sample of Balmenach 15-year-old Batch 4 That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Balmenach remains a relatively rare encounter, as noted during the first review of this distillery here – also the only one before this. So it is independent bottlers that primarily bring Balmenach to wider attention, with all but a few expressions experienced here coming from these indies. Appreciation goes to the independent bottlers for enabling whisky enthusiasts to explore this distillery beyond its typical role in blends.

François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac

25th December 202414th February 2025Coldorak

For our final dram – already unfortunately – in our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we have a François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac, from the Grande Champagne cru. The Chauchet-Voyer family has cultivated their vineyard since the French Revolution in the villages of Verrières and Ambleville, in the Grande Champagne region, renowned for Cognac production. In the late 19th century, Paul André was among the few winemakers distilling their own harvest rather than selling it, leaving behind a legacy that includes numerous old eaux-de-vie and a Paradise filled with 1er cru de Cognac eaux-de-vie.

François Voyer Cognac is made exclusively from Grande Champagne grapes, with the family vineyard of 8 hectares, distilling and bottling in-house to ensure quality and preserve tradition. Their expertise has been passed down for five generations since 1870. Dedicated to sustainable farming, François Voyer was one of the first estates to earn the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, awarded by the BNIC after a thorough audit.

Their family estate is shared between Grande Champagne’s 1st Cru of Cognac and Fins Bois Cru, and the estate has been entrusted to its current cellar master, Pierre Vaudon, and the winemaking embodied by Anne-Marie Vaudon, to continue its legacy for years to come.

Hardy Noces de Perle Cognac

24th December 202424th December 2024Coldorak

The penultimate cognac in our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar is a 30-year-old Hardy Noces de Perle Cognac. Cognac Hardy, established in 1863 by British-born Anthony Hardy, is a testament to passion and resilience in the cognac world. After relocating to France and embracing French culture – adopting the name Antoine and the rooster as his emblem – Hardy earned a stellar reputation for his dedication to Fine Champagne cognac, evidenced by awards such as the 1869 Diploma of Excellence at the Amsterdam Exhibition. Despite challenges like the devastating phylloxera outbreak in the late 19th century, Hardy preserved sufficient reserves to rebuild and expand globally. Over generations, leadership passed through family hands, with each era bringing innovation and market growth. Notable milestones include the invention of ‘Anniversary’ cognacs in 1960, marked by the creation of iconic decanters like Noces de Perle (30 years) and Noces d’Albâtre (75 years). Under Jacques Hardy’s leadership, the company extended its reach to new continents. He retired in 1999, and the company name changed from A. Hardy et Cie to Cognac Hardy.

Domaine La Prenellerie Hors d’Âge Cognac

23rd December 202422nd December 2024Coldorak

For the twenty-second and antepenultimate dram from our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we have a 50-year-old Domaine La Prenellerie Hors d’Âge Cognac, from the Bons Bois cru. At the Domaine de la Prenellerie, winemaking has been a family tradition for generations. In 1966, Guy Billonneau took over his grandmother’s farm in Épargnes, which, at the time, combined crop farming and livestock. Seeing the potential of the land near the Estuary, he shifted entirely to viticulture. He learned the craft from his father, Robert Billonneau, who was also a winegrower. Over nearly four decades, Guy focused on producing Cognac and Pineau.

In 2003, his son, Frédéric Billonneau, who was working in import/export, decided to produce wine from a small plot of Merlot vines. Using traditional methods, including hand harvesting, his initial project grew into a larger venture. Frédéric eventually took over the family estate, expanding its production to include red, rosé, and white wines in addition to Cognac and Pineau.

In 2020, the estate received ‘Haute Valeur Environnementale’ certification, reflecting its efforts in biodiversity conservation, fertilisation management, and water use practices.

Grosperrin N°76 Grande Champagne Cognac

22nd December 202421st December 2024Coldorak

As a conclusion to the third week into our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we found a Grosperrin N°76 Grande Champagne Cognac. Jean Grosperrin began his career in the wine industry as a distiller in Lorraine in the early 1980s before moving to Cognac, where he became a broker in 1991 and a wholesaler in 1994. In 1999, he started bottling his own casks, leveraging strong relationships with both Cognac winemakers and traders. During his career, he discovered many rare, heirloom Cognacs stored in the region’s cellars, offering a glimpse into pre-modern winemaking traditions. This network allowed him access to some of the oldest and most sought-after eaux-de-vie. Jean retired in 2003 due to health issues.

Today, Grosperrin Cognac remains a family-run business, led by Jean’s son, Guilhem Grosperrin, since 2004. The house maintains rigorous standards, ensuring full traceability of dates and vintages. Cognacs are stored under state control in ORECO warehouses, bottled under the supervision of a bailiff, and sealed with traceable labels and certificates, preserving the integrity of each release.

Henry Toursier Extra Cognac

21st December 202420th December 2024Coldorak

We’ve reached the 20th pouch in our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, and this time it reveals a Henry Toursier Extra Cognac. The story of Henry Toursier dates back to 1888 when the Bordeaux entrepreneur established his trading house, gaining a strong reputation for exporting Sauternes, Cognac, and Bordeaux Clairet. Despite its early success, the brand faded into obscurity due to the absence of a successor.

In 2013, Alain Palissière, a Cognac merchant passionate about local history, breathed new life into the brand. While restoring a old house in the Charente countryside, he uncovered stencils and posters bearing the Henry Toursier name. Inspired by this discovery, Palissière revived the Maison Henry Toursier, combining traditional methods with modern techniques to craft new Cognac blends and honour the house’s history.

Godet 43 Years Old Single Cask Cognac

20th December 202419th December 2024Coldorak

We’re unfortunately approaching the end of our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar as we’re already on the 19th cognac today: a Godet Single Cask Fall Edition. Cognac Godet, based in La Rochelle, France, has a history dating back to 1588 when it was founded by Dutch merchant Bonaventure Godet. The company has remained in the hands of the Godet family for 15 generations, making it one of the oldest family-run Cognac houses still in operation.

In 1699, under the reign of Louis XIV, Jean Godet was ennobled and granted a coat of arms featuring three goblets and a star, reflecting the family’s longstanding involvement in Cognac production. The Godet family successfully navigated challenges like the phylloxera crisis of the late 19th century, replanting their vineyards around La Rochelle and maintaining their focus on producing high-quality Cognac.

Now led by the 15th generation, with brothers Jean-Édouard, Maxime, and Cyril Godet, the company continues to blend tradition with innovation. Their work includes preserving rare grape varieties and emphasising craftsmanship in their cognacs, such as in the “Roots of Cognac” collection.

The house’s location near the Atlantic Ocean has played a significant role in its history, with cellars positioned along the La Rochelle coastline for centuries. This proximity to the sea is said to influence the character of their cognacs, which reflect the family’s long experience and dedication to their craft.

Marancheville GC30 Cognac

19th December 202418th December 2024Coldorak

On the 18th day of our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we found a Marancheville GC30 Cognac. In the early 2000s, brothers-in-law Grégoire Lucas and Laurent Nedelec moved their families to Cognac to work in the family distillery. It didn’t take long for them to become deeply passionate about the industry. While the distillery’s primary focus remains producing eaux-de-vie for some of the biggest names in Cognac, in 2012, they decided to launch their own small range of cognacs under their own label — thus, Marancheville Cognac was born.

Drawing on decades of family experience and a strong network of Cognac professionals, Laurent and Grégoire sought advice and expertise to help create the brand and its cognacs. Though distillation for major houses remains their core business, these cognac merchants and winegrowers dedicate significant time, effort, and skill to developing their own range.

Normandin Mercier XO Grande Champagne Cognac

18th December 202420th December 2024Coldorak

The 17th cognac in our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar is a 30-year-old Normandin Mercier XO Grande Champagne Cognac. In the village of Dompierre-sur-Mer, near La Rochelle, lies the Normandin-Mercier estate, a family-run Cognac house founded in 1872 by Jules Normandin. Now led by his great-great-grandson, Edouard Normandin, the estate has remained in the family for five generations. The property itself is steeped in history, with the 17th-century Château La Péraudière originally serving as one of François I^st’s hunting lodges. The cellars, added later, became central to the Cognac house’s operations, where eaux-de-vie are still aged and blended today. Distillation was carried out on-site until the interwar period, and the cellars continue to hold the family’s centuries-old expertise.

The Normandin-Mercier name reflects the partnership of Jules Normandin and his wife, Justine Mercier, whose family name was added to the brand, as it was created with its financial help. The house focuses on ageing carefully selected eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with every stage of production taking place on the estate. The location, in the Bois Ordinaire region near the Atlantic coast, lends a unique character to their cognacs, influenced by the mild coastal climate.

Normandin-Mercier maintains a commitment to simplicity and authenticity, reflected in their elegant, understated bottles and decanters that highlight the spirit within. The Château’s grounds are home to ancient oak forests, and casks made from this wood are used to age their signature Cognac, La Péraudière. The estate welcomes visitors to experience its history, explore the cellars, and discover the sensory richness of a Cognac house that has preserved tradition for over 150 years.