Otard Cognac

Brandy is manufactured from grapes. There are three types of brandy – from France, Cognac and Armagnac and from Spain, Jerez. According to the European Union only brandy produced in these regions can be labeled cognac.

90% of cognac contains 3 specific kinds of grapes – ugnic Blanc, folle Blanche and colombard grapes. The rest 10% is made up of other selected brand of the same fruit. Distillation is done twice in copper stills and the ageing process takes 2 years at the least in French oak barrels. The casks are sealed tight. If all these steps are followed then only can the drink be called cognac.

During the French Revolution of 1789 the Chateau de Cognac was made into a national heritage. In 1796 Baron Otard and his group the Dupuy d’ Angeac brothers took it over and set up a company – Otard Dupuy Company. In the 1930’s the chateau came into the hands of the Cognac family. His chateau de cognac is right in the center of cognac and is a great tourist draw. The cognac barrels are kept in the vaults of the castle.

Two hundred years of Otard experience has made it a name combining tradition with modernity. The ageing takes place in cellars that have 3 metre thick walls. The humidity levels are extreme because of it being close to the Charente River. This is the determining factor in the maturing of the eaux-de-vie.

Otard cognac is famous for the teardrop bottle that made its debut in 1968. The drink is actually shedding a drop of tear. The connoisseurs usually twirl the glass and as this happens a fine film is formed on the sides. From this runs down droplets. For over 30 years the shape of the bottle remains the same. Otard cognac marched with times introducing a new metal box – it being the 15th creation in 2005.

Otard has a wide range of products distinctive in its subtleties. These are Otard Cognac VS, Otard Cognac VSOP, Otard Cognac XP and Otard Extra Cognac.

The best time to drink Otard is after dinner but it is also used in cocktails and taken on the rocks as a long drink in many parts of the globe. It is also taken during meals. So the sum of the story is that Otard Cognac is great for all times and all occasions.

Otard introduced its first vintage grand champagne with only 1,000 bottles being available. It was made from the 1975 harvest – a truly exceptional cognac.

Cognac Otard won approval at the International Spirits Challenge 2006 competition and Otard VSOP won the fine champagne ‘Gold Best in Class’ at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2006.

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