For our final dram – already unfortunately – in our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we have a François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac, from the Grande Champagne cru. The Chauchet-Voyer family has cultivated their vineyard since the French Revolution in the villages of Verrières and Ambleville, in the Grande Champagne region, renowned for Cognac production. In the late 19th century, Paul André was among the few winemakers distilling their own harvest rather than selling it, leaving behind a legacy that includes numerous old eaux-de-vie and a Paradise filled with 1er cru de Cognac eaux-de-vie.
François Voyer Cognac is made exclusively from Grande Champagne grapes, with the family vineyard of 8 hectares, distilling and bottling in-house to ensure quality and preserve tradition. Their expertise has been passed down for five generations since 1870. Dedicated to sustainable farming, François Voyer was one of the first estates to earn the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, awarded by the BNIC after a thorough audit.
Their family estate is shared between Grande Champagne’s 1st Cru of Cognac and Fins Bois Cru, and the estate has been entrusted to its current cellar master, Pierre Vaudon, and the winemaking embodied by Anne-Marie Vaudon, to continue its legacy for years to come.
François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac Review
This François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac is crafted exclusively from eaux-de-vie sourced from the region’s Premier Cru, Grande Champagne. This cognac is the result of a blend of eaux-de-vie aged in oak barrels inside their cellars with an average of 50 years old. Inside this blend, you can find the following vintages : 1948, 1950, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1968, 1971, 1978 and 1979. Pierre Vaudon is using the SOLERA process to create his cognac and this is the 13th time that he refilled his original blend to give more complexity, flavours and aromas to his cognac. Its quality has made it a favourite among French culinary experts. Notably, it was selected by numerous five-star hotels and Michelin star restaurants, including some owned by Alain Ducasse, holder of 19 Michelin stars. Chef Shinichi Sato, France’s first Japanese 2-star Michelin chef, even infused this cognac with Périgord black truffles.
Here, though, we have the pure Grande Champagne blend—no truffles this time—bottled at 43% ABV with no additives. Distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes with the lees in 25-hectolitre stills, it was aged in wide-grain, medium-toast casks from Tonnellerie Pelletan, stored in a temperate cellar near the family house. A bottle is priced at around €800, or approximately €1,100 for the crystal carafe version from Sèvres.
Colour:
Mahogany with a copper hue.
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with inviting warm spices, including cloves and cinnamon, followed by rich aromas of coffee beans and Grand Marnier triple-sec. An earthy depth emerges, evocative of black truffles (perhaps the power of suggestion?), complemented by fir cones and cigar tobacco leaves.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with a warm, peppery kick, quickly unfolding into tropical fruits like passion fruit and mango. A delightful rancio emerges, layered with warm cedar, rich dark chocolate, and the spiced notes of cloves and cinnamon echoing the nose. Earthy hints of damp autumn forest leaves. Absolutely stunning.
Finish:
The finish is long, with tropical fruits melding seamlessly into pepper, cloves, cedar, and the slight tannic bitterness of grape skin. Elegant and enduring.
Comments:
An exceptional cognac and a fitting finale to this year’s Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar. The François Voyer Hors d’Âge Cognac is truly a masterpiece, showcasing an exquisite balance of warmth, complexity, and depth. Its beautifully layered profile combines the richness of cedar wood and velvety dark chocolate with the vibrant tang of tropical fruits like mango and passion fruit. Every sip reveals a harmonious interplay of flavours, this is a stunning example of Grande Champagne cognac.
Rating: 8.5/10
Author’s note: a few corrections have been made on the introduction and the François Voyer Hors d’Âge’s description after having been contacted by the estate. – 14 Feb 2025
