Napoleon Bottled 1960s-1970s
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now. As a distilled spirit, it does not mature further in the bottle and will remain stable indefinitely if stored away from direct light and temperature fluctuations.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, mature blue cheese, roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
Courvoisier's connection to Napoleon Bonaparte is legendary, dating back to the early 19th century when the emperor reportedly took several casks of the cognac with him to his exile on St. Helena. This historic relationship led to the creation of the 'Napoleon' designation, a category Courvoisier pioneered. Bottled during the 1960s and 1970s, this specific release represents a classic era of cognac production. Housed in the iconic frosted green 'Josefine' bottle, it showcases spirits sourced from the premier crus of Cognac, primarily Grande and Petite Champagne, alongside Fins Bois and Borderies. Distilled in traditional copper alembic stills and aged in French oak casks from the Tronçais and Limousin forests, this vintage bottling offers a sensory time capsule, boasting rich notes of rancio, dried apricots, old leather, and warm spices that have mellowed beautifully over decades in glass.
🍾 About the Producer
Established formally in Jarnac in 1828 by Félix Courvoisier and Jules Gallois—following spirit merchant roots founded earlier by Emmanuel Courvoisier and Louis Gallois—Maison Courvoisier is one of the historic 'Big Four' houses of Cognac. Perched along the banks of the Charente River, Courvoisier operates primarily via long-term contracts with regional winegrowers rather than through vast estate vineyard ownership. The house relies on grapes harvested across four crus—Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois—distilling wines both on fine lees and without lees to achieve aromatic balance. Aging unfolds in tight-grained Tronçais and Limousin oak casks, forging the signature floral and vibrant profile characterized as 'Cognac in Blossom.' Now owned by Campari Group and directed by Master Blender Thibaut Hontanx, Courvoisier balances historical cuvées like the Napoleon, VSOP, and XO Royal alongside modern collector releases such as the Mizunara Edition and L'Essence de Courvoisier.
🍇 Base Material
Ugni Blanc
🍷 ABV
40%