Delamain Cognac announces the addition of an exclusive Grande Champagne cognac to its permanent range. The hors d'âge cognac, L'Oiseau Rare, is being introduced as part of the House's bicentenary celebrations and embodies the passion and savoir-faire of a 200-year journey in pursuit of cognac excellence, and the House's special relationship with the Grande Champagne terroir.
L'Oiseau Rare, or rare bird, is a soaring blend of eaux-de-vie that were singled out twice: first for their individual potential, spending long periods fully evolving their unique personalities, then again to be blended together for another decades-long period of ageing in a specially crafted "foudre" – a century-old seasoned oak vat that sits in the Grand Chai in Jarnac. Time, cellar conditions and the blender's art together promote the concentration of aromas and the perfect harmonious blend that is….L'Oiseau Rare.
Commenting on this latest addition to the range, Charles Braastad, Delamain's Cellar Master noted: "This exceptional blend was created by Dominique Touteau, Delamain's former Cellar Master, crowning his 40-year career. There are so many wonderous elements at work in this blend. The extraordinary individual qualities of the eaux-de-vies, the opportunity to imagine how these individual talents could be brought together in a symphony. It is a privilege to continue this blend in the wake of Dominique Touteau's legacy and to launch this exceptional cognac in the year of our Bicentenary."
In addition to describing this elegant cognac's uniqueness, the name L'Oiseau Rare pays tribute to Jacques Delamain, a cognac visionary who wove together passions for the natural world (in particular ornithology) and a pursuit of ethereal Grande Champagne cognacs. A scholar and prolific writer, in addition to the co-creator of the iconic X.O Pale & Dry, Jacques laid down the foundations of the family philosophy: one that blends an unyielding fascination with the natural world with the crafting of transcendent cognacs. It is Jacques's vision, perhaps more than any other, that after two centuries leaves Delamain a house apart…a L'Oiseau Rare.