Vallein Tercinier Lot 55 Cognac #29 "Arôme Exquis" - Malternative Belgium

Nose

Exceptionally aromatic and abundantly fruity, with apricot jam, ripe peach, nectarine and mango. Mandarin and grapefruit mingle with wet chalk, subtle floral notes and developed rancio, followed by roasted nuts, almonds and a light touch of mocha.

Palate

Velvety and lightly mineral at first, before apricot, peach, mandarin, prunes and dates unfold in broad layers. Mint, herbal tea, nutmeg and ginger provide freshness and tension, while chestnut, roasted walnuts and a touch of resin add further depth.

Finish

Long and lively, with lingering ripe fruit, nuts and lightly resinous notes. Mint, clove oil, green tea and refined rancio create a fresh and elegantly drying conclusion.

The history of Vallein Tercinier is closely connected with Domaine des Forges, acquired by Louis Vallein in 1791. Around 1850, his grandson Georges Vallein expanded the vineyard estate and began distilling. Initially, its eaux-de-vie were mainly sold to major cognac houses. During the 1920s, Paul Vallein and his brother-in-law Louis Tercinier continued the business and began marketing cognac under their own names. The combination of the two family names developed into Vallein Tercinier, an independent cognac house now continued by the fifth and sixth generations.

Vallein Tercinier is simultaneously a vineyard estate, distillery and négociant-éleveur. The family owns approximately twenty hectares of vineyards in Fins Bois and Bons Bois, while also purchasing wine and carefully selected eaux-de-vie from other producers. Domaine des Forges houses eight copper pot stills, which are also used to distil for other cognac houses. The range includes classic blends, single-cru cognacs and rare old vintages and individual lots from different parts of the Cognac region. These limited bottlings, often released at natural cask strength, have made Vallein Tercinier particularly popular among whisky and cognac enthusiasts. By bottling cognacs from different crus, vintages and both dry and humid cellars separately, the house reveals the remarkable diversity found throughout the Cognac region.

Malternative Belgium is a Belgian independent bottler and Cognac specialist led by Pieter Knapen and Ysatis Thijs. Their interest in distinctive spirits began in 2009. From 2016, they gained experience as a Cognac distributor, before Malternative Belgium was reborn as an independent bottler in 2020.

The company works closely with small, often family-owned producers throughout the Cognac region. Its selections are not built around one fixed house style, but around individual casks and parcels with their own character. Provenance, cru, vintage or lot number, bottling strength and outturn are communicated as transparently as possible. The numbered releases demonstrate the diversity of Cognac, from fruity Fins Bois to powerful, long-matured Grande Champagne.

Alongside its own Cognac bottlings, the range includes Pineau des Charentes and occasional Armagnac releases. Malternative Belgium combines personal relationships with producers, critical cask selection and a strong commitment to sharing knowledge. It offers enthusiasts a different perspective on Cognac: not merely as a classic luxury spirit, but as a diverse drink shaped by terroir, craftsmanship and extended maturation.