Taking advantage of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Spanish Club of Mini Liquor Bottle Collectors, a group of 3 people, today great friends; we decided to organize a trip to Cognac to visit as many distilleries as possible, for “hunting ” the largest number of minis that were seen in the sight point.
The trip started in Valencia, September 28th, after finishing the 4th Annual Meeting of CECBL, and finished, October 2nd, in en Madrid.
This trip was planned and proposed at the meeting in Madrid, from where and when other larger group of friends left for Scotland. This time there was division, since some were leaving for France, another small group came to Turkey.
At the very last moment, the Cognac Group lost Jose Aybar and Mina, his wife, because some professional problems left them in Valencia; finally the expedition was composed of: Luis Freytes, Mauricio Pons and Luis Campos.
In fact, a small group, but very “challenging” and ready to hunting in the lands of France.
The first stage of the trip was Valencia – Andorra, this “Principado” was like a pending lesson to learn for Luis and Mauricio, and have always heard a lot about Cava Benito and La Manduca.
There we did the honors on the first day, torrential rain (dinner at an excellent restaurant), but Monday was our day. The first visit was to a liquor / tobacco shop very close to our hotel, where we took a set of 7 skulls with colored spirits inside and one painted with bones colour and other in gold, which as I recently read on Facebook, they appears to be a production of INLIMA, then we went to Cava Benito, and finally to La Manduca, with a reasonable number of new minis for our boxes.
Hence, we start directly to Cognac with Luis Freytes in the driver’s seat Wow, how he enjoys driving!… Mauricio telling stories about the tequila and the different types of tequilas produced. What I learned from him in reference to this spirit while we were on track!
Next to Cognac, we find the village of origin of the Pons family, i.e. PONS, it was very close to our destination, and there we have Mauricio taking pictures of all road studs, crosses, signs, etc. where his name was written.
Back at the hotel, very nice indeed, on the water side of a great river with green lands, the rooms were like “bungalows” wooden made, “Quay des Pontis” is the name of the Hotel, we left the luggage in the rooms, and we prepared to enjoy our first French gastronomic “meeting” better to say, dinner, and prepare the agenda for the next day; however, and before to go to sleep, we had a nice drink of a rich rum that Jose Fernando had given me in exchange for a mini I brought him.
Leaving Andorra, and wiews from the hotel
Wiews from the terraces of the rooms of the hotel
Having a rest in the terraces of the hotel and visit to the first distillery: Otard
For those who think to make this voyage to Cognac, I must say that the hotel is recommended with a lot of space for parking, but DO NOT try the breakfast! It is truly pathetic, strange in French hotels, where at least you “fed up” of croissants. Here, not even that.
The first day, we were dedicated to Cognac distilleries. They are almost all in the city and within short distances.
The first visit was to Otard, but they told us that miniatures were no longer produced; so a distillery to erase of your future plans, then it was Hennessy, very tourist plan to “pick up” the money to the Japanese tourists, but with little minis to put in our bags.
I will ask you for pardon if the order is not the one it was, but in any case, the intention is good.
Third stop, PRUNIER; and first pleasant surprise, with a very interesting “coffret” with five “Millesimes” i.e. minis with Cognac of the year, well presented in a wooden box, and two sets of four minis with their respective carton boxes, then I asked the friendly lady who took care of us about the reason because PRUNIER was so enthusiastic with the “mignonettes”, and what was the answer! the answer could only be, just because the “Patron” was a collector. Good for him!
Pictures of our visit to Prunier
From there, we went to Larsen, but it was disappointing, because there was no one to help us, so we had to be satisfied with a couple of pictures of their bottle display in a cabinet. After this visit, we went for a lunch, in a very friendly bar-restaurant in a beautiful square in Cognac.
Pictures of the visits to Larsen and Camus
After lunch we went to CAMUS, where we were very kindly attended, and watch magnificent bottles, especially the Jubilee one. We were shown a coffret with the CAMUS VSOP, and two of his jewels, the EXTRA Elegance and XO Elegance, as well as their classical Ile de Re. We asked to buy this set, but we were told that they were running out, but then, thanks to the kindness of one of its employees, seeing our interest, talked to management and they sought three sets in the Administration Dpt. that should be kept for other purposes other than the sale, then our happiness was almost complete after buying the sets (regarding the Jubilee, better not bring it up).
Then MARTELL; nothing special, some pictures only.
Pictures of the our visit to Martell
REMY MARTIN (a couple of minis and glasses, which probably were duplicates for our stock) and especially, pictures with the Louis XIII in all types.
Picture of the city center of Cognac and visit to Remy Martin
Pictures of the bottles of Luis XIII, “normal”, “Rare” and “Platinum”
After this visit in Cognac, we went straight to Jarnac, where the first visit was for COURVOISSIEUR, that is located at the entrance of the city, in a majestic palace. Here, the best were the regular bottles, but few minis. Some of the regular ones were spectacular.
Visit to Courvoisier and wiew of Jarnac
Then we went to DELAMAIN, but there were not people to take care of us, except the classical one that seems that will be the inheritor of the Distillery. We were said to come back next day.
After this frustrated visit, we went to A. E. D’Or. We did a lot of rounds, trying to find it, but not get to find (we left it for the next day with more calm). Back we went through Louis Royer, but neither found the shop (we thought it was already closed, given the hour); another one for the next day.
In the evening, dinner in Cognac, in the square where the Cognatheque is located (we wanted to let localized it to save time the next day). Good restaurant and good choice; then one “cafetito” outdoors (we enjoyed a beautiful and sunny day) and back to the hotel to arrange purchases and rest.
Wednesday morning. Doing the way to Jarnac. First, have breakfast, which oddly enough, was very troubled, since at that time begins the holiday for many shops and only was possible in the fourth one, thanks to a Dominican citizen that helped us to find a cafeteria. We had coffee with two croissants for three, and bread and butter. After breakfast, to DELAMAIN again; there, we found several minis, not exactly elegant, and not exactly cheap (we know, an XO, is an XO, despite the type of the bottle).
Then we went to HINE, but should be starting their holidays because we were told to come back in about 10 days, they missed us!; worse for them; then LOUIS ROYER, where a very nice lady told us to buy their minibottles at the Cognatheque. Then we had no other possibility that to make some pictures of their products; other distillery you can erase in your agenda.
Pictures taken in the visit to Louis Royer
From there, to A. E. D’Or where it was not possible to go until we got through the information from the local people. If you plan to go, forget the TOM TOM (later I will give the instructions to find it). Done! We thought we finally arrived, but not, what we found was the old distillery and nowadays they are located in an industrial polygon nearby. Thanks to the indication of one employee, we finally arrived!
We entered into the store and saw a display cabinet full of mini-bottles! The employee asks; What do you want?, and Luis Freytes and I said “one of each one”, then, the lady asked, do you know the prices?; we said no, but it’s easier to say no to some, instead being choosing one after the other, that should take the entire day. Then they suggested to go for the lunch, and after the lunch to come back, then you already will have them prepared (I think it was is lunch time).
We’re going to eat… and as we did not know where to go, we stopped at a nearby gas station with clogged jets, half workshop and tire repair shop, and asked the man that was relaxing on a chair outdoor for a restaurant. As we talked about it the reason of our visit, he told us that he had many mini-bottles for sale; What a surprise! It comes with a box of dusty minis and we decided to buy some after discussing the price (neither cheap nor expensive), after indicating us for a restaurant, he told us to come back after lunch and he will bring us some more minis (actually we went back and bought a few more).
Lunch in JARNAC at a downtown restaurant with a very good looking. Good food and well deserved rest.
Lunch in Jarnac and visit to A. E. D’Or
After lunch back to AE, D’Or, we arrived and already had everything ready. I estimated about some 50 pieces for Luis and me, but Mauricio also found something to keep. When going to pay, it turns out that we had to pay “cash”, hopefully Luis Freytes and Mauricio had enough cash to pay and to let me, so after discussing the price (we got a reasonable (15%) discount, consequence of a good deal for both A.E. D’Or and ourselves).
Then they had the great kindness to accompany us to the old distillery (the first we found), where we could see the “cave” where they had deposited the big glass bottles protected with esparto grass with the older vintages (the oldest from 1811… wow!). Then we could thoroughly enjoy best cognacs and Mauricio especially enjoyed it as he tasted everything they put in front of him… and more.
Pictures of the visit to A.E. D’Or
We were also offered to keep some old minis they had there still stored, and even I caught some ancient corks but in very good condition and new caps like “penicillin” of which they had a few (for restoration purposes it was a unique opportunity) shame not to have an old hand corker machine!… We would have brought it under the seats, if it had been necessary. 10 to A.E. D’OR.
Back to COGNAC, we stopped in SEGONZAC to visit Paul BEAU (no minis at all) and FRAPIN. Here we catch the new EXTRA (only varies the letters) and no cheap at all!.
Back in Cognac, we had the opportunity to visit some more, leaving the Cognatheque for the last. So we went to MEUKOW; nothing special; the already well known pieces, The House was located in a very nice, like most large distilleries, palace.
Pictures of the visit to Meukow
Hence the Cognatheque. Not much, most were already in our possession, but still found a few more; indeed, the CAMUS XO Elegance, was available individually.
Visit to the Cognatèque yand resting afeter a long day
Thursday morning, to keep everything in the car, we were laughing, as once the car was fully loaded, we looked as the cars running in the Andalusia road to Morocco.
Loading the car to come back. Finally we got put all the luggage in the car and also all the minis
Back to Madrid, a mandatory stop in LERMA, too late (about 16:30) to eat in any restaurant, but fortunately the owner of a restaurant in the Square of the City, took pity on us and offered what we were looking for; the specialty of the Burgos area, roasted lamb and salad, roasted recently, and heated with coals which were still consuming the classical clay oven.
Restaurant of Lerma and Mauricio in a restaurant of Madrid
Now yes, finally driving to Madrid and then to the hotel, to his country or to home.
See you soon again!… Armagnac? Again Cognac to finish our tryp?… Who knows?
Madrid October, 25 2014
Luis Campos Serna
Appendix: ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR THE VISITORS OF THE REGIÓN OF COGNAC
In COGNAC:
- BISQUIT; 90 Boulevard de Paris
- BOCUSE, Paul, Mounier SA, 49 Rue Lohmeyer
- CAMUS; 29 Rue Marguerite de Navarre
- HENNESSY; Quay Henessy
- MARTELL; Place Edouar Martell
- LARSEN; 66 Boulevard de Paris
- PRUNIER; 3ª Rue Leonce Laval (7 Av. Mariscal Leclerc)
- MEUKOW; 36 Pascal Combeau
- A. FUSSIGNY, 13 Rue Gavaries
In JARNAC:
- DELAMAIN; Rue Jacques et Robert Delamain
- COURVOISSIEUR; At the entrance, past the bridge, on the right hand side
- HINE; 16 Quay de L’Orangerie
- A.E. D’OR; At the end of Av. Du General Leclerc there is a big bend to the left which leads to an industrial estate on the left. Turn into Av. De Europe until you reach the INTERMARCHE and ask as it is more or less opposite.
In SEGONZAC:
- BEAU, Paul; 18 Rue Millardet
- FRAPIN; Rue Pierre Frapin
- ANGEAC CHAMPAGNE:
- DE LUZE; Domaine Boinaud le Bois
In ARS:
- C.FERAND-LANDY; 24 Chemin Pres
- CLAIX (Pueblo)
- LEYRAT; Domaine Chez Maillard (ABK6, Reviseur)
In SAINT PREUIL:
- BOUJU; (letrero Dirección St. Preuil)
- CHATEAU DE MONTIFAUX; 36 Route d’Archiac (D700 – Entre PONS-ARCHIAC)
In JEAN D’ANGELY:
- LOUIS BOURON; Av. De Jarnac
- CHABASSE – BOWEN; 51 R. Elisee Loustalot
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