Cuvee 1888

Rare Spirits/ Everything about the Frapin cognac house is unique: from its family-owned status to the ownership of its vineyards. Frapin's 494-acres of designated Grande Champagne vineyards took the family five centuries to amass and constitues the largest single vineyard in this top-rated appellation, where holdings seldom exceed 30 acres. Frapin's new limited edition cuvee is a rare blend of its most precious reserves, some of which pre-date 1888 (including those made from the legendary Folle Blanc grape varietal, no longer used today). Truly one-of-a-kind, it is packaged in an exceptional crystal decanter fashioned in the shape of a spinning top, with a 24-carat gold stopper. Its wooden gift box also contains a gold-gilded watch, a reproduction of a model designed in 1888. Only 1,888 decanters were produced.

Cognac Frapin is rarity among cognac producers – this family-owned, centuries-old dynasty releases only estate-produced and bottled cognac. Frapin owns 741-acres of land in the Cognac area of Charentes, including over 500 acres of Premier Cru de Cognac vineyards planted with superior Ugni-Blanc grapes in the Grande Champagne region. This constitutes by far the largest single vineyard in the heart of this top-rated appellation. Unlike many of its fellow producers, Frapin does not turn to outside growers for grapes and is able to apply the most exacting standards of quality control at every level of production, starting on the vines. Frapin cognacs are, as a result, the epitome of excellence. The Frapin family can trace its ties to Charentes in southwest France as far back as the year 1270. With centuries of unrivalled tradition and experience, it is the acknowledged leader in the production of exceptional, premium-quality cuvees. Today, this illustrious company is under the creative direction of Geneviève Frapin, her husband Max Cointreau and their son Jean-Pierre Cointreau. In 1994, Frapin added to its luxury portfolio with the purchase of the equally historic, Champagne Gosset. This limited edition Cognac Frapin Cuvee 1888 is a rare blend of elixirs selected from Frapin’s most precious reserves, some of which pre-date 1888. This is a powerful yet subtle cognac of extraordinary character. It is packaged in an exceptional crystal decanter fashioned in the shape of a spinning top, with a fine 24-carat gold stopper and thread that winds around the glass and represents the spiral of time. The decanter is housed in an elaborate wooden gift box with warm, elegant hues reminiscent of the cognac itself. A small drawer in the base contains a watch gilded with fine gold, a reproduction of a model designed in 1888. Only 1,888 decanters were produced. Production Area Cognac district of the Charentes region Grape Varieties Ugni Blanc and a portion of pre-phylloxera Folle Blanc grapes, no longer used for making cognac. Color Rich mahogany hue with coppery tints Bouquet Highly complex; shows notes of dried fruit, candied orange, walnuts and hazelnuts, with hints of cocoa, coffee and balsamic Taste A sublime harmony of flowers mingling with sweet linden against a background of pepper, sweet spice, honey, vanilla and toasty wood notes

/ If you prefer one-of-a-kind to the status quo, even on the top of your personal bar, then set your sights even higher. Rare, new, unusual and limited editions of wines and spirits are experiencing something of a boom-time, with distillers and makers eagerly delivering exclusive batches. Cognac Frapin Cuvée 1888 is a cuvée of very old and rare Grand Champagne cognacs (some of which include the no-longer-used "folle branche" grape). The resut is a highly complex blend with aromas of dried fruits, nuts and coffee. The Cuvée 1888 is suitably packaged in a hand-blown bottle of French crystal and wrapped with 24-carat gold thread (representing the steam rising from a traditional cognac pot still and the swirl of the drink in a sniffer).

Limited Edition Spirits/ In 1888 Pierre Frapin replanted grape vines that had been decimated by the phyloxera epidemic that swept France. Even as he rebounded from this tragedy, Frapin was doubly busy melding a cuvée with his pre-1888 stocks for the famous 1889 Paris World Fair (at which his blend won the gold medal). Today, some of those pre-1888 casks remain and are included in this special release, a cuvee of very old and rare Grand Champagne cognacs (some of which incluce the no-longer used 'folle branche' grape). The result is a highly complex blend with aromas of dried fruits, nuts and coffee.

/ Nectar of the Gods. The 24-karat gold thread that winds around this magnificent decanter represents the spiral of time -- a sobering reminder to down the cognac swirling in your glass. Do remember to use the 24-karat stopper to seal the blown-glass bottle because Cuvee 1888 is a blend of brandies selected from the company’s most precious stocks, some of which predate 1888. Aromas hint of dried fruits, walnuts and hazelnuts, raisins and prunes, along with enchanting notes of cocoa, tonka beans and coffee.