Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula Cognac
Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula is Cognac's first release designed specifically for cocktails — a revival of the 19th-century "three star" style, bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) in 750mL so it can stand up to citrus, sugar, and bitters the way Jerry Thomas's era demanded. Created by Maison Ferrand proprietor Alexandre Gabriel and cellar master Christian Guerin with cocktail historian David Wondrich, it was modeled on a rare surviving 1840 Pinet-Castillon bottle and launched at Tales of the Cocktail. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof) — 750mL
- Origin: 100% Grande Champagne, Cognac, France — Ugni Blanc eaux-de-vie
- Style: "three star" revival — younger, darker, richer, and higher-proof than modern VS
- Blend: eaux-de-vie aged at least 2 years in Limousin oak, distilled per 19th-century practice
- Awards: Gold, The Cognac Masters 2018
Cognac, the Way Bartenders Drank It in 1840
In the 1800s, when the Mint Julep was still a Cognac drink, bartenders reached for three-star Cognacs — lively but dark, rich, and bottled near 45% ABV, unlike today's 40% VS. That style vanished with Cognac's cocktail era. For 1840, Gabriel and Wondrich tasted surviving examples of 19th-century three-star Cognacs and rebuilt the profile from scratch: floral and fruity with enough tannic grip to cut through a Sazerac or Brandy Crusta. It remains the mixologist's Cognac of record. Try it beside the rest of the Ferrand line or explore cognac.
Tasting Notes
Ripe, juicy grapes with meadow flowers, acacia blossom, and a hint of cedar on the nose; powerful and fruity on the palate with pear, white flowers, and subtle vanilla; honey and spice on the finish.
How to Enjoy
Built for cocktails — the Sidecar, Sazerac, Brandy Crusta, and Japanese Cocktail all get their backbone from it. Sips fine neat, too, for the curious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a three-star cognac?
The 19th-century grade below today's VSOP — young and lively, but darker, richer, and bottled at higher proof than the modern VS equivalent.
Who is David Wondrich?
The spirits and cocktail historian who co-developed the 1840 blend, researching the Cognacs used in 19th-century cocktail recipes.
Why is it 45% ABV?
Historical accuracy — and practicality: lower-proof Cognac gets washed out in acid-forward cocktails, while 90 proof keeps the spirit's voice in the glass.
The mixologist's cognac — get Pierre Ferrand 1840 from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.