We may be, first and foremost, a whiskey website, but all of us here have an appreciation for a variety of spirits such as cognac. So much so, in fact, that a couple of years ago Mark Littler Ltd independently bottled a 29 Year Old single cask Grande Champagne cognac: The Surreal Legend Of Cognac. Inspired by the rousing story surrounding the invention of cognac this bottling is a celebration of the rich history of France’s most beloved spirit.
We are currently offering a fantastic deal on this bottle – just $258 including free shipping to 42 U.S. states from our home in the United Kingdom. But what is it that you are buying? Let’s take a closer look at this stunning liquid and the astonishing legend of cognac’s creation.
The 29 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac
The liquid itself was distilled in 1993 from grapes grown in the famous Grand Champagne region, which is known for its high-quality, chalky soil. It was matured for 29 years before bottling in 2023 from a single cask at 51.9% ABV.
Angus MacRaild, a respected reviewer at WhiskyFun, provided tasting notes for the cognac upon release:
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“Colour: Deep amber.
“Nose: A big, earthy and distinctly chocolatey example of Grande Champagne, one which displays that region’s typically ‘full’ character but also expresses a slightly more rustic and autumnal side. Strop leather, raisins and bitter orange marmalade along with walnut oils, cocoa and dark fruit molasses. With time it goes more classically towards dates, figs and plums. Very charming!
“Palate: Once again on the rather rustic and punchy side. A lot of damp earthy tones, tobaccos, walnuts, leaf mulch and very typical rancio qualities. Feels as though it hails from damp cellar maturation. As on the nose, with time, more dark fruit flavours emerge. Prunes in old Armagnac, aged Cointreau, more bitter orange peels and some earthy, aged black teas. Excellent power and length but still retaining finesse.
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“Finish: Quite long, dominated by notes of orange peels studded with cloves, black pepper, citrus marmalades, peaches stewed in honey and some bitter herbs and dark chocolate. Excellent and very enjoyable!”
Only 247 bottles were produced from the cask and sold exclusively through Mark Littler Ltd.
The Origins of Cognac
Cognac, a drink synonymous with French heritage, traces its origins to brandewijn, or brandy. This spirit was first created in the 16th century when Dutch traders visiting Poitou began distilling French wines to preserve them for transport and trade across Europe.
To streamline the process, the Dutch installed stills along the Charente River, allowing the wine to be distilled locally and reducing the volume of liquid that needed to be shipped. By the early 17th century, the technique of double distillation emerged, producing a richer and more concentrated spirit that evolved into the cognac we know today.
Over the centuries, the production process was refined, and modern cognac is now regulated by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac, which enforces strict standards on everything from grape cultivation to aging and labeling.
However, there is a far more fanciful version of events that is often touted as the true beginning of cognac, and it was this story that served as the inspiration for this limited-edition bottling.
A Knight, The Devil, & Brandy
The legend goes as follows:
Chevalier de la Croix Maron, Lord of Segonzac, was haunted by recurring nightmares in which he was roasted alive by fire—not once, but twice, staring down at him with a smirk from the rafters.
He believed these dreams were punishment for his recent crime of killing his wife and her lover after discovering her infidelity. In the evenings, he would nurse a glass of brandewijn, a Dutch spirit made from distilled French wines, and contemplate his guilt and his next steps.
A deeply religious man, Segonzac interpreted the double roasting in his nightmares as a sign of the unique state of his soul—too significant to be condemned by a single act of punishment. In his sleepless nights, he decided the dreams were a message: brandewijn itself should undergo a second distillation. The resulting spirit was smoother, sweeter, and more refined than anything he had tasted before. This innovation marked the birth of cognac.
Of course, the story is certainly fiction. Yet, the legend has endured throughout the centuries and provides a rapturous tale as to cognac’s divine beginnings.
For a very in-depth explanation of the legend, the bottle, and the cognac from Mark himself, watch the video below.
The Artwork
For the label design, we knew we wanted to present this wild story in a succinct and stylish way.
The result is a large ‘C’ in the style of an illuminated manuscript. Popular from the 13th century until the 17th century, a handwritten book or document, often from the medieval period, that is richly decorated with elaborate designs, gold or silver leaf, and vibrant colors. These embellishments, typically found in margins, initial letters, or full-page illustrations, were created to enhance the text and often carried religious or cultural significance. As such, it was the perfect medium through which to tell the story of cognac.
The large letter ‘C’ incorporates elements of the fantastical story including the French flag, the Limousin oak casks used to mature the cognac, Dutch trading ships sailing up the Charente river, Lord Segonzac being roasted alive, and the Devil watching on gleefully.
Buy ‘The Surreal Legend of Cognac’ With Free U.S. Shipping
For a limited time only, Mark Littler Ltd and The Whiskey Wash are offering an astonishing deal on ‘The Surreal Legend of Cognac’ 29 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac. You can purchase your bottle for just $258 including free shipping to 42 U.S. states.
Purchase your bottle here, and read more about our shipping policy here.
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