Hosted by Cognac expert Bruce Perry, this guide will help you navigate the world of Cognac from their birth in the vineyards of France through to the production methods that make them so special. 

He will answer questions such as what makes cognac Cognac and the differences between VS, VSOP and XO. If you want to wow your friends with your knowledge on this fascinating spirit, then this is the class to help you do just that.

The line-up for the tasting includes:

• Martell VS
• Cognac Trijol VSOP Grande Champagne
• Armagnac Baron de Sigognac 10ans d’age Bas Armagnac
• Cognac Reviseur XO Petite Champagne
• Cognac Leyrat XO Elite Fins Bois
• Cognac Ragnaud Sabourin No 35 Fontvieille Grande Champagne
• Armagnac Domain Boingneres 1986 Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac

Bruce has been a Cognac Importer for more than 20 years and lectured on spirits, including Cognac, to WSET Diploma students for 17 years; one of the highest qualifications in the drinks industry.

Hosted by Cognac expert Bruce Perry, this guide will help you navigate the world of Cognac from their birth in the vineyards of France through to the production methods that make them so special. 

He will answer questions such as what makes cognac Cognac and the differences between VS, VSOP and XO. If you want to wow your friends with your knowledge on this fascinating spirit, then this is the class to help you do just that.

The line-up for the tasting includes:

• Martell VS
• Cognac Trijol VSOP Grande Champagne
• Armagnac Baron de Sigognac 10ans d’age Bas Armagnac
• Cognac Reviseur XO Petite Champagne
• Cognac Leyrat XO Elite Fins Bois
• Cognac Ragnaud Sabourin No 35 Fontvieille Grande Champagne
• Armagnac Domain Boingneres 1986 Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac

Bruce has been a Cognac Importer for more than 20 years and lectured on spirits, including Cognac, to WSET Diploma students for 17 years; one of the highest qualifications in the drinks industry.

friday demonstrations timetable

18.15-18.45 Martell Gourmand - A deconstructed Sazerac experience

Join us for a unique pairing experience involving a taste of our very own Martell Blue Swift with a Haute Couture Macaron developed by Pierre Hermé (World’s best pastry chef, 2016) especially for Martell, served with a Blue Swift Sazerac on the side

19.15-19.45 Grape vs Grain with Hennessy

Whisky and brandy: two sides of the same coin or something very different?

20.15-20.45 Café Courvoisier

Join Courvoisier Global Brand Ambassador Rebecca Asseline to explore the history of Courvoisier and its perfect pairing: coffee.

saturday demonstrations timetable

2.00-2.30pm Café Courvoisier

Join Courvoisier Global Brand Ambassador Rebecca Asseline to explore the history of Courvoisier and its perfect pairing: coffee.

3.30-4.00pm Legends with Bénédicte Hardy, Hardy Cognac

Hear about the magic of Cognac and what it takes to make Hardy’s legendary releases from Bénédicte Hardy herself.

4.30-5.00pm Golden Age of Cocktails with Hine

Join Hine Brand Ambassador Olympe Courage as she takes you through the golden age of cocktails, when Cognac was king, queen and everything in between.

Founded in the early 1700s, Rémy Martin has grown to be one of the biggest Cognac houses in France. What sets it apart is its insistence on only using eaux-de-vie from grapes grown exclusively in the top two Cognac regions: Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Baptiste Loiseau, Cellar Master for Rémy Martin, who will explore the different stages involved in creating the perfect blend.

Guests will be taken on a journey of discovery as they understand the subtle nuances from younger Eaux-de-Vie up to and including the House’s iconic XO.

Line-up will include:

• Eau-de-vie from 2017
• 10 Year Old eau-de-vie
• 30 Year Old eau-de-vie
• Remy Martin XO
• Remy Martin Carte Blanche

XO Cognacs are characteristically rich, complex and elegant, with a wide range of nuances and flavours. They should be sipped slowly to allow the full spectrum of flavours to come through on the palate and are the perfect end to a delicious meal.

Although sales are dominated by a few big brands, this class aims to celebrate the huge diversity within this classification and shows you that no two Cognac houses are the same and like whisky, Cognac is full of surprises!

We’re joined by David Boileau all the way from France, from the official Cognac regulatory body who will be talking about the history and production of the category, while The Whisky Exchange Head Buyer, Dawn Davies MW, will show us fantastic and differing examples.

Here’s a look at what we will be tasting:

• Paul Giraud XO
• Hine XO
• Courvoisier XO
• Delamain XO     
• Vallein Tercinier XO
• Hennessy XO

We are being joined by one of the oldest family-run Cognac houses, Prunier. Since 1769 it has been ageing, blending and bottling Cognacs in its cellars in the heart of the region.

You will be guided through six expressions from the different regions in Cognac, all conforming to the Prunier house style but each displaying their own individual characteristics and nuances.

These Cognacs are unblended single vintage, which is rare for the region, so it means you are tasting a piece of history!

The line-up will consist of the following Cognacs:

• Borderies 1977                 
• Grande Champagne 1978
• Fins Bois 1974                                   
• Petite Champagne 1980               
• Bons Bois 1975                 
• Prunier 60 Year Old