Jean Fillioux Napoleon Cognac

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Napoléon belongs to Jean Fillioux’s classic range, combining a rich, buttery, nutty aroma with a powerful palate. Marzipan, almonds, dried fruit and dates shape its character. It comes from Grande Champagne, the growing area designated Premier Cru within the Cognac region.

This Cognac is made from Ugni Blanc grown on clay-limestone soils dating from the Cretaceous period. The wine is distilled twice with its yeast lees in a traditional Charentais pot still. The Cognac is bottled at 40% without added colouring; the 0.7-litre bottle comes in gift packaging.

Napoléon can be served neat or over ice. It pairs well with foie gras and, for dessert, tarte Tatin.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose is rich and buttery, with walnut and marzipan notes.
• Palate: The Cognac is powerful on the palate. Vanilla and walnut combine with spicy notes.
• Finish: The long finish has spicy notes reminiscent of saffron.

Distillery/Bottler:

The family house Jean Fillioux has been associated with Domaine de La Pouyade since 1894. The estate stands on a hill in Juillac-le-Coq, in Grande Champagne. Its 25 hectares of vineyards lie in the area between Angeac-Champagne, Verrières and Juillac-le-Coq, known as the “golden triangle”. Limestone-rich soils and sunny slopes define the location. The estate’s main grape variety is Ugni Blanc, whose high-acid, low-tannin wines are well suited to distillation.

Before distillation, the house also allows its wines to undergo malolactic fermentation, which converts malic acid into lactic acid. The distilling season therefore usually begins only in December. Jean Fillioux uses French oak casks for maturation, mainly from Limousin, supplemented by oak from the Tronçais forest. Christophe and Pascal Fillioux select the casks directly at several cooperages in the Charente. These differing cask characteristics broaden the possibilities when blending the Cognacs; the house specialises particularly in old eaux-de-vie.

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