Napoleon Cour Imperiale Bottled 1980s
⏳ Drinking Window
Ready to enjoy now; as a distilled spirit, it does not age further in the bottle and will remain stable for decades if stored properly.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, blue cheese, roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
The Courvoisier Cour Impériale is a legendary release from the historic house of Courvoisier, famously tied to the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte, who visited the Jarnac cellars in 1811 and later took crates of the spirit into exile on St. Helena. This specific bottling from the 1980s represents a masterfully curated blend of mature eaux-de-vie sourced primarily from the prestigious Grande and Petite Champagne crus. Aged in bespoke French oak casks, it displays the highly coveted 'rancio' character, marked by complex layers of dried apricots, old leather, sandalwood, and warm baking spices. It stands as a liquid time capsule of late 20th-century Cognac craftsmanship.
🍾 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%