Napoleon era Cognac sells for over £200,000

A Napoleon era Cognac from 1805 has sold for over £200,000 at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, making it one of the most expensive bottles of Cognac ever sold in the UK.

The bottle in question is a three-quarter gallon imperial of 1805 Cognac Massougnes and its sales price of over £200,000 makes it one of the highest value single Cognac sales in history.

The bottle was acquired by Hermitage Cognacs 20 years ago from Marie-Antoinette des Allées, Comtesse de la Bourdelière – a direct descendant of King Louis VII, whose family owns the former Cognac producing estate.

The imperial was snapped up at wine lover’s delight, Hedonism in Mayfair, by an undisclosed buyer.

In 2016 a bottle of 1801 Cognac Massougnes acquired by Hermitage Cognacs was sold to an anonymous Asian buyer at Hedonism Wines for £220,000.

“In over 30 years of buying and selling Cognac, this 1805 is one of the oldest and rarest I have ever come across.

“Massougnes produced famous pre-phylloxera Cognacs and we have dated their records back to at least 1730, making them the oldest known growers and sellers of brandies,” said Hermitage’s managing director, David Baker.

“At its peak the property covered 346 hectares, and Marie-Antoinette, the last remaining descendant of this famous family, has written a charming note about the ‘life’ of this extraordinary Cognac, which was created the same year as the Battle of Trafalgar,” he added.

Founded in 1987, Hermitage Cognacs specialises in the sale of old and rare Grande Champagne Cognacs from old family houses.

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

Spending on drinks and restaurants in the UK has shot up 57% since 2020

Brits continue to spend big in restaurants and bars despite higher costs, according to research by UK digital payment provider takepayments.

Five of London's best Irish pubs

Irish pubs are for all year round, not just St. Patrick's Day. WLC rounds up five of London's best.

WLC recommends: Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell

Douglas Blyde heads to Clerkenwell to visit chef Florence Knight's Sessions Arts Club. There, he finds food to match the captivating interior, and a largely Italian wine list from head of wine Molly Pepper Steemson that focuses on "less breadth, more depth". Taken from the 2022 Wine List Confidential guide.

Developers ordered to rebuild pub after demolishing it

The developers behind the illegal demolition of Lancashire's Punch Bowl Inn two years ago have been ordered by a court to rebuild the historic pub brick by brick.

Martell announces Alexandre Mazzia collaboration

Cognac brand Martell, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has announced a four year collaboration with Alexandre Mazzia, chef at the three-Michelin-starred AM in Marseille.

Most Recent Stories

Spending on drinks and restaurants in the UK has shot up 57% since 2020

Brits continue to spend big in restaurants and bars despite higher costs, according to research by UK digital payment provider takepayments.

Five of London's best Irish pubs

Irish pubs are for all year round, not just St. Patrick's Day. WLC rounds up five of London's best.

WLC recommends: Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell

Douglas Blyde heads to Clerkenwell to visit chef Florence Knight's Sessions Arts Club. There, he finds food to match the captivating interior, and a largely Italian wine list from head of wine Molly Pepper Steemson that focuses on "less breadth, more depth". Taken from the 2022 Wine List Confidential guide.

Developers ordered to rebuild pub after demolishing it

The developers behind the illegal demolition of Lancashire's Punch Bowl Inn two years ago have been ordered by a court to rebuild the historic pub brick by brick.

Martell announces Alexandre Mazzia collaboration

Cognac brand Martell, part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio, has announced a four year collaboration with Alexandre Mazzia, chef at the three-Michelin-starred AM in Marseille.