Cognac Grande Champagne Lot 74 – Private Bottling Selected by Passion for Whisky

We are incredibly proud to present another beautiful Private Bottling, carefully selected from the stunning collection of Pieter Knapen of Malternative Belgium.

This is what Pieter himself says about this Grande Champagne Cognac:

"Exceptional Discovery from 1974 – Grande Champagne Cognac

In the picturesque village of Criteuil-la-Magdeleine, nestled in the heart of the Grande Champagne and home to fewer than 600 inhabitants, we stumbled upon a truly exceptional find. In a modest, traditional chais, we discovered a forgotten dame jeanne from 1974 – a rare gem among today’s modern bottles.

This nearly 50-year-old cognac is a living piece of history. Its deep mahogany hue with amber reflections is almost impenetrably dark, and its aroma instantly transports you to another era: ripe figs, dried apricots, old leather book bindings, and subtle notes of roasted coffee, liquorice, and a touch of vanilla.

On the palate, it is velvety smooth, with impressive depth: caramelized orange peel, ripe plums, and candied walnuts blend harmoniously with a refined balance between sweet notes and dry tannins. Hints of star anise and cinnamon add complexity, while the long, elegant finish lingers beautifully – think roasted almonds, aged oak, and a gorgeous rancio, the hallmark of long aging.

A unique cognac like this perfectly illustrates why we’re so passionate about uncovering hidden treasures. Small producers like this one preserve the soul of cognac. And with this bottle, you can quite literally taste that heritage.”

Tasting Notes by Michel & Stefan

When we picked up the glass, the colour immediately stood out: deep mahogany, almost opaque, with a warm coppery glow. It was clear right away that this was something special.

The nose was rich and inviting. We picked up ripe figs, dried peaches, and a hint of old leather – like stepping into an antique library. Subtle notes of freshly ground coffee, liquorice, and a touch of vanilla came through as well. Everything was beautifully balanced, with a gentle hint of spice and a light floral undertone in the background.

On the palate, the softness was striking. Despite its 40.6% ABV, the texture was almost velvety. The flavours echoed the nose nicely: candied orange peel, ripe plums, and sugared walnuts. Subtle spices like star anise and a touch of cinnamon added just the right amount of depth.

The finish is long, elegant, and lingering. We tasted roasted hazelnuts, old oak, and that unmistakable rancio – the deep, mature aroma you only find in truly long-aged cognac.

We’re proud to put our name on this one.