On a cold evening in Paris, in an old café facing the Seine River, a Japanese couple quietly sips from elegant snifter glasses. Nearby, an American businessman closes a deal against the backdrop of polished oak barrels. And deep in a stone cellar in a small town called Jarnac, a veteran master blender smiles to himself as he tastes a distillate aged 25 years.
At first glance, there seems to be no connection between these three scenes. In reality, all are connected by the same amber, warm, deep drop – real cognac.
And in a world where everything moves quickly, brands change, and names shift, there are things that do not change. One of them is the name Courvoisier – perhaps the only cognac that can truly boast a lineage of emperors, kings, ambassadors, and connoisseurs.
Not Just Another Luxury Bottle – But a Symbol of an Entire Culture
There is a reason why Courvoisier is perceived as one of the most prestigious and renowned cognac brands in the world. But before talking about awards, bottles, and design – it must be understood that this is a deeper cultural story.
Courvoisier is not just a drink. It is a metaphor for how the French understand life: Balance, tradition, a sense of belonging.
Like good French food, real cognac is not meant to astonish in a moment – but to accompany a process. It doesn’t need to “surprise” or “disrupt the market,” but rather seep under the skin slowly. It is not drunk to get drunk, but to feel.
One Barrel, One Emperor, and an Entire Revolution
The story of Courvoisier begins in 1809, in a French town in the Cognac region. In one exceptional moment, it became legendary: Napoleon Bonaparte, on his way to exile in Saint Helena, chose to take barrels of Courvoisier with him – not as a drink, but as a memory of home, culture, grandeur.
This legend, preserved for generations, turned Courvoisier into “Napoleon’s Cognac” – a title still printed on the bottles today.
Later, King Louis Philippe, Emperor Napoleon III, and even the British Royal Family joined, granting the brand the official title of “Royal Warrant.” It was not just a drink – it was a bridge between worlds.
When Taste Becomes Music: The Creative Process
The uniqueness of Courvoisier begins with the grapes – but does not end there.
In the Cognac region of western France grow Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes. These are not considered leading wine grapes but are perfectly suited for distillation – sharp, balanced, with very little sugar and a distinctly acidic profile.
From here begins a journey of decades
· Double distillation in traditional copper stills
· Slow aging in carefully selected oak barrels from Limousin forests
· Blending of distillates aged 10, 20, even 40 years – until achieving perfect balance between fruit, wood, spice, and softness
The master blender of Courvoisier is not a technician. He is an artist, a man with the nose of a composer and the ear of a painter. He tastes hundreds of samples each year to reach the desired complexity – and his work resembles opera more than alcohol production.
Why Is Courvoisier Considered the World’s Most Awarded Cognac?
Over the years, Courvoisier has won an especially impressive number of international awards – more than any other cognac brand. It holds no less than 92 medals at prestigious competitions such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Wine & Spirit Competition, a figure that testifies not only to quality but to extraordinary consistency over time. Professional reviews praise Courvoisier for the complexity of its aromas, its elegance, and its balance between tradition and innovation – a combination that sets the brand apart on the global alcohol map.
What Do People Drink in Israel?
The brand offers three expressions in Israel, each representing a different approach to life:
VS – Very Special: Light, floral, sharp. At least two years old. Designed for those diving for the first time into the world of cognac – or for those seeking a harmonious base for elegant cocktails.
VSOP – Very Superior Old Pale: The expression most identified with Courvoisier: a blend of distillates aged 4–10 years, with aromas of almond, vanilla, dried fruit, and cinnamon. Perfect for slow sipping, but not pretentious – accessible and precise.
XO – Extra Old: This is a true culinary creation. The distillates are 10–25 years old, and the drink sometimes resembles aged whisky, sometimes port, and sometimes even dark bitter chocolate with warm spices. Every sip – a journey.
Beyond the Drink: Why French Elegance Never Forgets the Details
A bottle of Courvoisier is not meant to hide on a shelf – but to light up the room. The design preserves historical motifs, such as Napoleon’s crown, while adding a modern, contemporary touch. The bottles are rounded, the emblem is dominant, and the typography is classic yet sharp.
It is almost a design object, one that looks good not only on a table but also on a bookshelf or next to a grand piano.
Fine cognac is like a tailored suit that can fit a special event, a bar, or a cocktail party:
• It can be drunk classically – in a wide snifter, at room temperature, in slow sips
• It can be served as a chaser, in a dedicated glass, or even in a lowball
• And it can be mixed into contemporary cocktails – from an Old Fashioned to a Sidecar
Good cognac is not only for appreciation – but also for enjoyment.
It knows how to lead, but also how to blend. To be the main star – or part of an orchestra.
It does not seek to astonish – it simply does the job, quietly, elegantly, in any situation.
What About the Future?
Soon, a new expression is expected to arrive in Israel – unique, complex, and innovative. In other words: The next connection between tradition and modernity.
The brand continues to invest in creativity, design collaborations, and deep research in the world of cognac. For those who love alcohol not only as a drink – but as a cultural phenomenon – this is great news.
Courvoisier is not “just another cognac.” It is a reminder of a world where everything has time, depth, meaning. A world where flavors are not chosen randomly – but built on layers of experience, precision, tradition.
If you are looking for an elegant, complete experience, intimate yet full of presence – Courvoisier invites you to join more than 200 years of the art of living.
Because in a world where everything moves fast, sometimes it is worth stopping – and drinking slowly.
In collaboration with Courvoisier