Pierre Ferrand Double Cask Cognac
Pierre Ferrand Réserve Double Cask is a 1er Cru de Cognac from Grande Champagne that takes an experimental turn: a blend of 7- to 20-year-old eaux-de-vie, aged in French oak, then finished 12–18 months in ex-Banyuls fortified wine casks — a rare second-maturation step in Cognac. Bottled at 42.3% ABV (84.6 proof) in 750mL, it won Double Gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold at the 2020 IWSC (93 pts), and 93 from Vinous. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 42.3% (84.6 proof) — 750mL
- Origin: 100% Grande Champagne (Premier Cru de Cognac), France
- Aging: 7–20 year eaux-de-vie in French oak, finished 12–18 months in ex-Banyuls casks
- House: Maison Ferrand — Alexandre Gabriel, master blender
- Awards: Double Gold SFWSC 2022, Gold IWSC 2020, 93 pts Vinous
The Banyuls Experiment
Replacing the discontinued Réserve, the Double Cask is Maison Ferrand's bet that Cognac can borrow from wine country: after the classic French-oak élevage, the blend spends up to a year and a half in casks that held Banyuls — the fortified wine of Roussillon — picking up dried-fruit sweetness and the tertiary "Rancio Charentais" character (nutty, toasted, deeply complex) that collectors prize. The bump from 40 to 42.3% ABV keeps the aromatics concentrated. Browse the Pierre Ferrand range or explore cognac.
Tasting Notes
Ripe apricots, dried figs, vanilla, walnut, oak, and a hint of nutmeg on the nose; round and harmonious on the palate — dried fruit, honey, almond, spice, and a subtle wine note from the Banyuls cask; long, smooth, complex finish with warm oaky spice and fruity sweetness.
How to Enjoy
Neat at room temperature or gently warmed in a cognac glass — a contemplative after-dinner pour, and a luxurious Old Fashioned base for the adventurous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a double-cask cognac?
Cognac aged first in oak, then finished in a second type of cask — here, ex-Banyuls fortified wine barrels — for extra complexity.
What does "1er Cru de Cognac" mean?
It marks Grande Champagne, the premier cru (top-ranked growing region) of the six Cognac crus.
What is rancio?
The prized aged-cognac character of walnuts, dried fruit, leather, and mushroom that develops in long barrel aging — the Banyuls finish amplifies it.
The Banyuls-finished Grande Champagne — order Ferrand Double Cask online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.