Bache Gabrielsen XO Fine Champagne Cognac

Product Description

The fairytale started over 100 years ago–in 1905. The young Lieutenant, Thomas Bache-Gabrielsen, left the army when he was 20 and traveled to Cognac in order to acquire some practical working experience in a foreign country that appealed to both his heart and his brain. Peter Anton Rustad a Norwegian from Ås in the county of Akershus had already arrived in the region in 1893, and in 1905 he purchased A. Edmond Dupuy, a trading company that had been formed in 1852, and chose Thomas as his partner in the venture. In 1906, Thomas settled in Cognac for good when he married Miss Odette Villard who came from a vineyard just outside Cognac. With their marriage in 1906 and the new business, any plans to return permanently to Norway were abandoned. The couple had three sons, René, who took over the running of the company, Eric, who became a lawyer, and Guy, who became a doctor. All three sons left behind large families in France. Even though Thomas lived in France, he was keen to teach his children about Norwegian traditions, i.e. the outdoor life, Norwegian food and Norwegian Christmas customs, and his home offered hospitality to young Norwegians in Cognac. Thomas remained a Norwegian citizen and was often called home to undertake refresher military service. He also maintained contact with his Norwegian family, and this contact has been upheld by subsequent generations of the Bache-Gabrielsen family.

For having aged in Limousin oak casks well beyond what is expected from a classical XO, this Cognac is extremely floral on the bouquet. Then come the aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, honey, iris and cigar boxes. Beautifully balanced on the palate with dried fruits, chocolate and slight peppery notes revealing the exceptional ageing process. The finishing taste is very elegant and long, preserving the cinnamon and sweet spicy flavours.