Story & Photography | Renée S. Suen
For gourmands and aficionados of great taste, cognac is synonymous with craft and luxury. Produced exclusively in the small region 100 kilometres north of Bordeaux, few things compare with experiencing this classic brandy than in Cognac itself.
World renowned cognac brand Hennessy’s private cellar tour begins with a scenic boat trip across the River Charente.
Situated in the Charente area of western France, the commune is home to such world-famous cognac houses as Rémy Martin, Martell and Hennessy, as well as Otard in the iconic Château de Cognac. Given its popularity, you can visit these distilleries and learn about their history while tasting their exceptional eaux-de-vie.
Explore the beautiful riverside, meet passionate producers and enter some secret cellars. But the experience wouldn’t be complete without a luxurious stay at the town’s five-star hotel.
THINGS TO DO
You can learn the ancient art of making barrels at a cooperage and stop by a tasting room to sample the wares, however, you would be remiss if you didn’t visit the land of the Angels’ Share and enjoy an immersive tour at one of the world’s top brandy houses.
If excellence can be encapsulated, it would be in Otard. Start the day at Château Otard overlooking the river Charente. As the birthplace and former royal residence of one of France’s most illustrious kings, Francois I, in the 15th century, Château de Cognac was first a 10th-century fortress intended to stop the Norman invasions. Realizing how the castle’s thick walls were able to provide the ideal aging conditions for his eau-de-vie, Baron Otard acquired the historical landmark for the cognac company he founded in 1795. To date, the revered spirit is among the most recognized in the world for its quality.
Otard’s Cellar Secrets prestige tour of Château de Cognac brings you through the renaissance rooms and the King’s apartments, before a visit to their cellars.
Take a guided tour to learn the history that unfolded within the castle’s walls while tasting the house’s products. The adults-only experience is available most days in four languages.
Those on the Cellar Secrets prestige tour, (roughly $100), get to explore the renaissance rooms and the king’s apartments, before an opportunity to see Baron Otard’s Collection du Roi Cuvée No.1. Kept under lock and key, the rare blend is composed of two ancestral Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie that’s been kept for generations in the Paradise cellars of the Royal Château and is valued at about $138,000 a bottle. Following this, you’ll experience an exclusive tasting of Baron Otard VSOP, XO Gold and EXTRA 1795 cognacs piped directly from the cellar’s barrels.
Presented in a mouth-blown crystal decanter, Otard’s prestigious and rare Collection du Roi Cuvée 1 Cognac is visible through the sliver of hand-cut black glass.
Synonymous with innovation, Charente-based Maison Hennessy was founded in 1765 by Irishman Richard Hennessy. However, it was under his son, James, that the company expanded rapidly. In addition to inventing the XO category in 1870, the prestigious brand has created a range of products that have continued to captivate their audience through collectable bottles and countless mentions in songs.
The Hennessy Museum is a must and offers visitors cutting-edge insights into the world of cognac.
Get an insiders look at what goes into the blending of its iconic VS, VSOP and even XO on tours that explore both banks of the Charente River. The immersive, multi-sensory experience starts at the Hennessy Museum with an introduction to the industry leader’s history, a chance to encounter the most intricate and iconic of the brand’s labels and ends with a guided introduction to tasting cognac like a pro.
The Hennessy Museum is a must and offers visitors cutting-edge insights into the world of cognac.
Learn about the Fillioux family, the cognac house’s cellar masters, including their eighth-generation Master Blender, Renaud Fillioux, who builds and selects from the thousands of vintage eaux-de-vies to create the gems stored in the Paradise cellar.
The cellars where Otard’s cognac are aged can be found below the Royal Château which was built in the 10th century.
Those interested in the ultimate deep-dive will want to take part in the 2.5-hour Hennessy Exception, (roughly $350), private tour that includes an exclusive visit to the Founder’s Cellar, where the most precious eaux-de-vie are stored. Past a tight security locked doorway is the Pavillons and Paradis cellar, home of exceptional cognacs that few visitors, including royalty, have had the privilege to see. Conclude the experience with a guided tasting of the Hennessy X.O. and Hennessy Paradis cognacs in a private tasting room.
A little pomp, and all circumstance, the Hennessy Exception concludes with a tutored tasting of Hennessy’s X.O. and Paradis cognacs.
A little pomp, and all circumstance, the Hennessy Exception concludes with a tutored tasting of Hennessy’s X.O. and Paradis cognacs.
CHAIS MONNET HOTEL & SPA
Embodying excellence, a stay at the magnificent five-star Chais Monnet in the heart of Cognac is the ultimate immersion into the ideal French lifestyle. It starts with the grand glass-and-iron enclosed main lobby of the Didier Poignantdesigned space that’s lined with two blocks of the property’s classic and chic bedrooms and suites. Immediately, you’ll notice the duality and synergies of the 19th-century Monnet Cognac house warehouses and cellars’ industrial heritage and sophisticated modern finishes.
The charming historic building has been converted from former wine cellars into a luxurious hotel.
Enjoy panoramic city views from Chaise Monnet’s rooftop lounge.
Opened in 2018, the hotel is steeped in history, offering 92 rooms and suites, plus 12 flats, outfitted with an exquisite mix of soft materials, luxurious comforts and modern aesthetics. In addition to complimentary bikes, private parking and WiFi, there’s a spacious award-winning spa that has an indoor-to-outdoor heated pool, four treatment rooms offering facial and body treatments from Kos Paris and Olivier Claire, a fitness room, a jacuzzi, a hammam and a sauna.
Chais Monnet’s beautiful indoor pool extends into an exposed heated outdoor pool.
Chais Monnet’s beautiful indoor pool extends into an exposed heated outdoor pool.
For epicures, Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant Les Foudres and its private cigar room take residence inside an intimate, vintage wooden barrel-lined cellar. Just above, under timbered ceilings, you’ll find the contemporary all-day brasserie La Distillerie that has a thorough breakfast buffet, while delivering inspired traditional French cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Michelin-starred Les Foudres and its private cigar room are found inside Chaise Monnet’s vintage wooden barrel-lined cellar.
Showcasing excellent cooking, offerings range from special oysters from the region to an entrecote de boeuf that’s prepared a perfect shade of medium rare and complimented by your choice of sides. But do make time for the not-at-allsweet, composed desserts, including a gorgeous fresh fig tart embellished with gold or luxurious gianduja and chocolate entremet.
Chaise Monnet’s brasserie La Distillerie offers all-day dining options that showcase solid, finessed French cooking that could feature entrecote de boeuf with excellent sides, as well as composed desserts entremets.
Besides a rooftop lounge with a panoramic city view, there’s the property’s Le 1838 jazz bar, located in the former cooperage. A must for live music, enjoy the sounds from talented local musicians with rare vintage pours from the incredible backbar, or a balanced and smart bespoke cocktail by the mixologists.
