LOUIS ROYER

Situated along the banks of the Charente River in the Cognac region of France, Maison Royer is one of the most prestigious producers of cognac in the world. The House was founded in 1853 by Louis Royer, who was originally a beekeeper, like his father and grandfather before him (the symbol of Maison Royer remains a bee). After acquiring a few casks of cognac and letting them mature in the cellar of his home, Royer began bottling and selling the cognac under his own name, primarily to customers in Scandinavia.Today, Jrome Royer a fifth-generation master distiller and the great-great-great grandson of Louis Royer continues to shepherd his family legacy forward. "My blood is cognac," says Royer. Louis Royer XO Fine Champagne Cognac is made from the highest quality Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes, which are harvested at their peak of maturity (generally in late August or early September). After the grapes are harvested, they are pressed and fermented into a wine, which is distilled twice through a traditional charentais pot still. Following distillation, the cognac is matured in oak casks that are coopered from wood sourced from the Limousin and Tronais forests. Limousin and Tronais wood is loosely grained and porous, allowing it to impart more flavor and tannins to the cognac that comes in contact with it.After the cognac has matured for some time (the exact length depends on its aroma and flavor profile as it matures), it is blended by Royer, together with Master Blender Laurent Robin. We are looking "to find a harmonious combination that will bring out the natural perfumes of the cognac," says Royer. After the cognac has been married together, it is placed back into the oak casks, where the blend is allowed to rest until it has reached its peak of perfection.Louis Royer XO Fine Champagne Cognac is made from some of the oldest cognac maturing in the cellars of Maison Royer (the oldest stocks in the cellar are stored in an area known as Paradis). The cognac has a deep, nutty aroma, with touches of citrus and oaky tannins. The aroma opens up to notes of honey, milk chocolate and orange zest on the palate, which are followed by hints of layered citrus, dried fruits and coffee. The finish, which is complex and elegant, has notes of vanilla and caramel.Louis Royer XO Fine Champagne Cognac earned five stars from F. Paul Pacults Spirit Journal, which ranked it as one of the Top 25 Spirits in the World in 2013. "The XO is a banquet of wonderful aromas and flavors that would easily please any sophisticated admirer of luxury spirits," says Pacult. In addition, the cognac earned a score of 96 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2013.Pick up a bottle today!