Notes: One of the youngest expression in a long line of cognacs this one designed in both taste in profile for mixing,  the others being Ambre, Reserve, Reserve Dieux, Selection de Anges, Abel, Ancestrale, and their most prestigious Memoires (Vintages 1914, 1970, 1971, 1973) all the cognacs use only Grand Champagne grapes – many others in the industry only use them in their much more expensive bottlings.

Double distilled in somewhat unusual onion headed copper pot cognac/alembic stills from a base wine with lees (similar to beer with lees -meaning aged unfiltered with particles of wine it in to give it more flavor and depth) it is then aged in French Limousin Oak casks both new and used. until ready to be blended. Please see our adventure section to see photos of the still, barrel aging, and vineyards of this small but amazing cognac house. No age statement, 3 stars used to mean three years old ( or V.S.) but no information on the label.
This particular expression as mentioned above is designed to replicate the earlier 3 Star style of cognac that was a mainstay in the later 19th century and early 20th century as a style used widely as a mixer and for more casual consumption ( read not lingered over in a snifter with cigars in a plush room, but enjoyed with friends in a bar)

Appearance: Attractive golden wheat/dark straw gold color, leaves a thin coat on swirling. Could be mistaken for a young bourbon in color. Rather heavy-bodied in a nice way. On swirling it starts with a scalloped edge line then forms a few legs.

First Impression: Pears, citrus, caramel, violets, heirloom roses, and some oak and tobacco.  A rather sweet for a cognac on the nose with heavy aromas that seem plush and weighty. Reminds me a bit of the (long gone) Moet Chandon Petit Champagne liqueur of years past.

Taste: A heavier, weightier, with a marked presence cognac, with intense notes of pear, tree fruits, vanilla, and to a lesser degree of nutmeg, cinnamon, and oak. Lovely warm almost enrobing mouthfeel to it, it is heavy, silky, and weighty like on the tongue. All the elements of a good mixing cognac or a casual sipper.

Drinks: We tried the drinks mentioned on the website, all of them were good, if not exciting. Excellent in a Black Pagoda (basically a brandy Manhattan – see Gary Regan’s Bartenders Bible) and everything else we tried, such as a cognac version of a Horses Neck among many others. A true mixing cognac that has the presence and fortitude to stand up in any drink but plays nicely with all the other ingredients. Makes for an outstanding Milk Punch ( look for the Mary Rocketts  Milk Punch recipe.  At 90 proof it is a great mixing cognac with a bit more assertiveness than an 80 proof variety, especially when ice is involved .  We also found it great for cooking and used it in our quince jam among other uses.

Bottle: Major redo on the bottle/makeover from the original ( to us anyway ) Simple clear glass but with a dimpled finish, with smooth midsection  area for the main label and a deep ridged punt on the bottle ( enough to use for a shaped charge) with the Ferrand  on the front and France on the back.Parchment stye and colored label with clipped corners ,embossed printing and lots of scriptwithgold accents and red and black letters harks back to a mid to late 1800’s look making for a nice appearance generally. Also has a decorative seal type medallion going the two ends of the wrap around label that declares the Grand Champagne AOC of the contents. Decorative touches molded into the lip of the bolt which is topped with a large round wooden stopped that is decoratively grooved and makes for a better grip Along with silkscreened information informing the reader that the cognac is made from 1st Cru Grande Champagne grapes (heart of cognac growing area, best there is basically).

Other: 1st Cru Grande Champagne grapes twice-distilled in copper alembic pot stills and aged in French oak casks.

Cigars: A good Hemingway natural wrapper, probably a work of art or short story. Something simple but good.

Final Thoughts: While not rising to the level of a go-to favorite, it certainly is a good and very smooth mixing cognac well worth adding to your cognac cabinet. Put it next to a bottle of Royer Force 53  and you should have your mixing cognac options well covered!

Website: http://www.pierreferrandcognac.com/

A quick-loading, somewhat informative website but somewhat lacking on details at times. Straight-forward and easy-to-navigate.