Napoleon Reserve Vintage 35YO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a fully matured, ultra-aged spirit, it is bottled at its peak complexity and does not require further aging; it can be enjoyed immediately or cellared indefinitely.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate tart, blue cheese, roasted duck
✨ Technical Specifications
Courvoisier's connection to Napoleon Bonaparte is the stuff of spirits legend. According to historical lore, the Emperor himself visited the warehouses of founders Gallois and Courvoisier in Bercy in 1811, later requesting their cognac be issued to his troops and even taking several barrels with him into exile on St. Helena. This deep-seated heritage birthed the legendary 'Napoleon' classification. For their highly aged reserves, such as those matured for up to 35 years, Courvoisier's master blenders select exceptional eaux-de-vie primarily from the prestigious Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus. These spirits undergo traditional double distillation in small copper Charentais stills before embarking on a decades-long slumber in bespoke, fine-grained French oak casks. The result of this meticulous maturation is a cognac of extraordinary depth, characterized by rich notes of dried fruits, sandalwood, warm spices, and the coveted rancio charentais that only comes with extreme age.
🍾 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.