Rare €4,400 cognac blend launched

A rare blend of cognac costing €4,400 per bottle was launched today.

The limited edition Cognac Frapin Cuvee 1888 comes in a crystal decanter with a 24-carat gold stopper.

Just 1,888 bottles will go on sale worldwide. Cognac lovers in Russia, Belgium and Switzerland had placed pre-orders for the exclusive bottles ahead of the cognac’s launch in London today.

Cuvee 1888 is a blend of Grande Champagne cognacs which date back as far as 1870.

It was distilled and aged in cellars at the Château de Fontpinot vineyard in Segonzac, France.

The cognac is described as having aromas of, among other things, dried fruit, walnuts, hazelnuts, raisins, prunes, candied orange and cocoa.

Beatrice Cointreau, chief executive of Cognac Frapin, today said it had taken around nine months to develop the blend and the presentation bottle.

She said: “The cost is due to the cognac itself. I started with the fact that it is my latest baby. How much would a child be worth when you can’t replace the child? How much is the cognac worth if you can’t replace it?”

The Cuvee 1888 is expected to be popular with cognac enthusiasts and with collectors.

The 700ml decanters come in a decorative wooden gift box along with a solid block of Pierre Frapin perfume encased in a gilded gold fob watch.

Cuvee 1888 will go on sale at Harrods and other fine wine and spirit retailers. It is distributed by McKinley Vintners in the UK.