Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula 1er Cru de French Cognac 70 cl 45%

A well-preserved bottle from 1840, labelled Pinet-Castillon Cognac, surfaced one day and was opened by people whose trade is understanding how cocktails tasted when they were first invented. What they found in the glass was a cognac so different from today's that Pierre Ferrand set out to recreate it.

Expert's Description

Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula 1er Cru de Cognac is a Cognac from Grande Champagne and Ugni Blanc grapes, bottled at 45%.

The bottle was created together with cocktail historian David Wondrich, known for tracing classic cocktail recipes back to their origins. The starting point was that rare 1840 bottle, whose style differs sharply from modern cognac: less sweetness, more spice and a dryness that lends itself brilliantly to mixing rather than being enjoyed neat alone.

Pierre Ferrand, which runs its production from Château de Bonbonnet in Grande Champagne, the chalkiest and most celebrated of Cognac's districts, has used the formula to recreate a style that was common among cognac houses around the 1800s, long before modern blending techniques and sweeter profiles became the norm.

The result is a cognac equally at home in a Sidecar, a Julep or a Sazerac as it is in a glass on its own.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Orange peel and white flowers open the aroma, joined by a touch of allspice and cinnamon that gives a spiced, almost historic character.

Palate

The palate is warm and full, with acacia honey and ripe pears, while a hint of mint adds a fresh, almost herbal edge.

Finish

The finish is dry and spiced, where the honey's sweetness gives way to a light bitterness of orange peel that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula 1er Cru de Cognac
Distillery: Pierre Ferrand, Château de Bonbonnet, Grande Champagne
Country: France
Type: French Cognac
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3460410528827
Serving suggestion: Well suited to classic cocktails such as Sidecar, Julep and Sazerac, or neat at room temperature

Flavour Profile

Orange Peel · White Flowers · Acacia Honey · Pears

Did You Know?

The cognac made before the vine louse phylloxera devastated France's vineyards in the late 1800s had a markedly different character than today's - less sweet and more spiced - and it is precisely this pre-phylloxera style that 1840 Formula sets out to recreate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula 1er Cru de French Cognac 70 cl 45%

What makes 1840 Formula different from modern cognac?

It is built to recreate a drier, more spiced style that was common around the 1800s, before sweeter and more uniform profiles became the norm in cognac production.

Which cocktails does this cognac suit?

It is intended for classics such as Sidecar, Julep and Sazerac, where a dry, spiced cognac gives better balance than a sweeter, modern style.

Can it also be enjoyed unmixed?

Yes, at room temperature in a cognac glass it shows its own character clearly, with orange peel, honey and a hint of mint.

Who is David Wondrich?

A respected cocktail historian who specialises in tracing classic recipes and drinking styles back to their origins, and who advised Pierre Ferrand on this recreation.

Is 1840 Formula a good introduction to older cognac styles?

Yes, it gives a concrete impression of how cognac tasted nearly two centuries ago, without needing to chase down a rare original bottle.

How should the bottle be stored after opening?

Upright at room temperature, away from light and temperature swings, where it stays stable for years.