To celebrates its 200th anniversary, Delamain is launching a limited-edition bicentenary blend, L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire
Cognac house Delamain has introduced a limited-edition blend of five eaux-de-vies from the last century to celebrate its 200th anniversary, L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire. Earlier this year the Jarnac-based brand launched L’Oiseau Rare Cognac.
L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire is crafted exclusively from Grande Champagne eaux-de-vies selected by five generations of the Delamain family since 1824. The blend was made by the last two cellar masters, Dominique Touteau and Charles Braastad.
The oldest eaux-de-vie in the bicentenary blend comes from Jean Delamain, who became involved in the company in 1924, and a second selection by Noel Sauzey, who joined the business in 1950 after marrying Jacques Delamain’s granddaughter. The third eaux-de-vie was picked by Alain Braastad, who’s been with the company since 1963 and whose selection was distilled by the wives of soldering during the Great War. The fourth was selected by Patrick Peyrelongue, great-grandson of Robert Delamain, who joined in 1979.
The final part of the blend was crafted by cellar master Dominique Touteau and Charles Braastad, Alain Braastad’s son. The release also marks the transition of the cellar master role from 42 years of Touteau’s career to the rising Charles Braastad in March.
“The House’s upcoming bicentenary was the perfect occasion to open and taste these precious dames-jeannes and to craft a Cognac worthy of its 200-year anniversary,” remarked Braastad. “As we tasted these extraordinary spirits, we were deeply moved and felt immense gratitude towards my cellar master ancestors, who did such a fine job of crafting, selecting, maturing and nurturing these eaux-de-vie, preserving them for their descendants, so that today we can bring them together in this extremely rare and exceptional bicentenary Cognac.”
The bicentenary release boasts aromas of raise, prune, and black cherry, complementing a rich, roasted nuts character. Subtle scents of mocha coffee, spice, and earthy forest scents also emerge.
The Cognac comes in a 0-liter dame-jeanne crafted by Parisian atelier Maison d’Art Goossens, known for custom gold artwork including jewelry and decor. The 245 pieces for the bottle were made utilizing a seven-stage process that included sculpted vineyard birds made from hand molds. After gold-plating, silver soldering was used to assemble the piece.
In addition to the 10-liter dame-jeanne, Delamain will offer 200 700ml bottles of the bicentenary blend, designed by Goossens. Each bottle comes in an oak gift box decorated with a commemorative medal, which grants the buyer a private tasting with Braastad in Jarnac.
“This is obviously a very special year for the House of Delamain as we take a deeper look back on two centuries of thought, creative passion for the natural world and obsessive determination to craft Cognacs like no other,” managing director Eric Le Bouar.”We feel grateful to the past generations, to the men and women who have patiently preserved and passed down their most precious savoir-faire and eaux-de-vie. Now as then, nature, time and people are at the very heart of everything we do, and the most exquisite Cognacs lie ahead.
Bonhams will auction the 10-liter bicentenary release, accompanied by a 700ml bottle of the same blend, beginning November 19th until December 7th. The winning bidder will also receive a Goossens-decorated pipette and a two-day experience in Jarnac with three guests.
Retailing at $6,652, the 200 bottles of Delamain L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire will be available for purchase in December in select retailers around the world. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
