Cognac meets Kentucky in the latest release from Martell, the oldest and one of the best known Cognac houses. Introducing Martell Blue Swift, a VSOP Cognac finished in Kentucky bourbon casks. Martell Blue Swift was unveiled at an exclusive launch party in downtown Atlanta earlier this month. After guests sipped on Martell VSOP cocktails, brand […]
Cognac
From the Archives: How Barrels are Made
Originally posted on August 29, 2011 A Tour Inside Vicard Cooperage Oak barrels play an important role in the production of wine and eau de vie. Go inside Vicard Cooperage in Cognac, France for a look at how barrels are made. The process of making a barrel starts with the oak tree. Seventy five percent […]
Evening of Decadence at the Speakeasy Cocktail Festival
Pinstripes and pearls. Feathers and fedoras. Blackjack and burlesque. The 1920s came roaring back Saturday at the second Speakeasy Cocktail Festival. The event was a celebration of the style and sips of the Prohibition era. Revelers enjoyed 1920s inspired cocktails, and tastes of rum, vodka, tequila, cognac and beyond. Opera in Midtown provided the […]
Speakeasy Cocktail Festival Brings the 1920s Back to Atlanta
Click here for video on the 2013 Speakeasy Cocktail Festival Get your pinstripe suits and feather boas ready, the Speakeasy Cocktail Festival is returning for its second year. Taking place the weekend before the 31st, the Prohibition-era cocktail celebration is the perfect Halloween party — and yes, you’ll want to come in costume. The festival […]
Classic Cocktails for the Return of AMC’s Mad Men
Don Draper and the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce gang return this Sunday with the premiere of season five of AMC’s award-winning series Mad Men. Get in the 1960s spirit with these classic cocktails. Americano 2 oz Campari 2 oz Sweet Vermouth club soda lemon peel ice cubes Fill rocks glass with ice. Add Campari […]
How Oak Barrels are Made
A Tour Inside Vicard Cooperage Oak barrels play an important role in the production of wine and eau de vie. Go inside Vicard Cooperage in Cognac, France for a look at how barrels are made. The process of making a barrel starts with the oak tree. Seventy five percent of Vicard’s barrels are made with […]
Pineau des Charentes: Aperitif of Cognac
Pineau des Charentes is a sweet fortified wine produced in the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments in France. It is a blend of Cognac and grape juice that is most often enjoyed as an aperitif. The juice comes from grapes that are used to make wine. For white Pineau, grapes including Ugni Blanc, Colombard or Folle […]
A Visit to Chateau de Beaulon
About 30 miles southwest of Cognac in the commune of Saint-Dizant-du-Gua in Charente-Maritime is Château de Beaulon. The château was built in 1480, with eau de vie production on the estate dating to 1720. From 1543 to 1574 the home belonged to Francois de Beaulon, Lord of Saint-Dizant and advisor to the Bordeaux Parliament. Today […]
ABK6: Cognac for a New Generation
Flashy labels. A name derived from typing. A blend specially created for sipping on the rocks. This isn’t your grandfather’s Cognac. With a mix of tradition and modernity, ABK6 is bringing the French spirit to a new generation. It starts with the name — ABK6 is one of those internet short-hands, like OMG or LOL. […]
A Visit to Hennessy
You can’t talk about Cognac without mentioning Hennessy. It is the big daddy of Cognac, making up 43% of Cognac production. As a comparison, the next largest producer is Remy Martin at 17 percent. Hennessy dominates the market, but also makes it possible for the smaller producers to exist. Hennessy buys a large portion of […]