Founded in 1987 by David Baker, Hermitage Cognac owns some of the rarest cognacs in existence, distilled between 1850 and 1900.
Late 19th century cognacs are celebrated as a testament to endurance, craftsmanship and extreme rarity, and are considered some of the world’s most prized wines due to a pest that is thought to have destroyed two-thirds of European vineyards.
Phylloxera, an aphid native to North America, wreaked havoc in France, destroying nearly half of the vineyards. As vines withered and distillation slowed, some winemakers decided to save their best barrels, storing them deep in the cellars of Paradise. Rather than being sold, these barrels were chosen to represent these symbols of heritage, inheritance and, in many cases, survival.
In response to the devastation, American vines with greater resistance to pests and diseases were introduced to revitalize the industry.
Hermitage’s 1880s Paradis collection pays homage to the spirit and distilling history of eaux-de-vie, offering a cognac that will never be produced again.
For spirits enthusiasts, connoisseurs and collectors, these cognacs represent a combination of craftsmanship, rarity and capital appreciation unmatched by almost any other liquid asset on the market today.
These spirits are a non-renewable resource from both an agricultural and historical perspective, which the brand says gives them a value comparable to that of fine art.
Baker has created a collection of rare cognacs said to rival some of the most revered collections, with each vintage representing a single estate and bottled at the natural strength of Premier Cru.
Each bottle of the 1880s Paradis collection has a verifiable heritage, is the result of “meticulous historical research and evaluation” and is produced in extremely limited quantities.
As global demand for rare, ultra-aged spirits continues to increase, Hermitage Cognac recognises that collectors are increasingly seeking alternative whiskies that are both limited and historically significant.
The Paradis collection consists of four vintages: the 1880, priced at £8,316 ($11,284); the 1884, retailing at £7,776 ($10,551); the 1885, priced at £9,428 ($12,792); and the 1890, retailing at £7,506 ($10,185). All prices include VAT.
Last year, the Cognac house launched a centenary release, limited to 68 one-litre bottles.
At the Hide event earlier this year, attendees had the opportunity to taste some of Hermitage’s most unique flavours.
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