First, let’s talk about brandy vs. cognac. Brandy is a liquor distilled from wine and aged in wood. (Brandy can be made from fruits other than grapes as well, but that’s a story for another time.) Cognac is brandy that specifically comes from the town of Cognac and the delimited surrounding areas in western France. (The one which has the most favorable soil and geographical conditions is Grande Champagne.) So, all cognacs are brandy, but not all brandies are cognac. For more detail on cognac, click here.
Until the early 1900s cognac was shipped in barrels. The long sea voyages had a profound effect on the quality of the cognac. When cognac started to be shipped in bottles, many felt something had been was lost. Hoping to recapture that quality, Estonian-born Swedish entrepreneur Olev Keltes established the Kelt Cognac company in 1988. He began his career with the study of the distillation of cognacs as well as madeira, rum, and aquavit. It was this study that led him to rediscover the lost secret that quality improved in spirits that were aged in barrels on a long trip at sea . It is this maturation at sea that sets Kelt apart from other cognac houses.
Kelt continued to expand on this idea, and sent his cognac on its first sea voyage in 1990. The cognac world looked on, many with skeptical eyes. After the voyage, a tasting session was arranged with some of the top names in the cognac industry, and it was with some surprise that the experiment was hailed a great success.
Subsequently, an optimum route around the world was established, and one which all Kelt cognac now follows. The aim of this travel around the world (tour du monde) is to produce cognacs similar to those of the past, where many cognacs and eaux-de-vie were subjected to this epic oceanic journey.
As I’ve mentioned, wood aging is a requirement of all brandies. There are many oak-producing areas around the world which are used for barrel production. The French areas are: Argonne, Vosges, Nevers, Tronçais, Allier, Bourgogne, Armagnac (Landes) and Limousin. Kelt uses principally Limousin oak barrels for ageing. Prior to being loaded aboard ship, the barrels are only filled to just under three-quarters full so that the liquid can slosh around and has a large enough surface for the ideal amount of alcohol to evaporate (between 1 and 2-1/2% per year). The voyage takes from 90 to 110 days, depending on the weather.
During the world tour, the cognac is in contact with wood repeatedly as the cognac is washed around in the barrels. In addition, the temperature rises, especially when passing through warmer climates, which is for most of the voyage. Finally, at sea the air pressure changes constantly. This makes the Limousin oak contract and expand, adding new oxygen and persuading the Limousin oak to part with its most delicate qualities. It is this combination of movement, temperature, and air pressure that Kelt believes makes their cognacs unique.
Once the cognacs return, they are rested for about three to five months before being transferred to bottles.
The company, while sticking rigidly to the production methods of the 18th and 19th century, uses every modern technology possible to promote their cognacs, and relies heavily on the maritime theme in their marketing efforts.
Kelt Tour du Monde Rare VSOP Cognac
I don’t know how “rare” this selection is, but I do know it is my favorite brandy, even over the next step up, Kelt Commodore. I suppose in an effort to keep this cognac more affordable (even though it still ain’t cheap), it no longer comes in a box, or with the fancy wire mesh neck wrap and tag listing the shipping itinerary.
This tipple is made of 100% Ugni Blanc grapes, all from Grand Champagne. It undergoes 4 to 12 years of maturation, 8 years on average. It is a golden amber color, rather lighter than most VSOPs, but don’t let that fool you. The surprisingly delicate nose features notes of green apple vanilla, and a hint of orange zest. These are joined on the exceptionally balanced palate with some leather, a whisper of fig, and a very smooth mouthfeel. Nice long finish abetted by good viscosity.
Listen to my podcast about brandy, Cognac, and Armagnac here.
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