In Saint-Preuil, in the heart of Grande Champagne, the Bouju family has grown its own grapes and distilled its own cognac since 1805. This sample is an invitation to meet one of the smaller, more stubbornly artisanal cognac houses in the district.
Expert's Description
Sample 3 cl Daniel Bouju VSOP is a French Cognac from Grande Champagne, bottled at 40%.
The house was founded by Pierre Chauvin and his wife Jeanne in 1805, shortly after they settled in Saint-Preuil with only a few hectares of land and vines. Seven generations later, Daniel Bouju remains a true grower-producer – a house that distils only grapes from its own 30 hectares, unlike the large merchant houses that buy in from hundreds of growers.
The cognac is distilled exclusively from Ugni Blanc and aged in Limousin oak, and the house uses neither colouring nor boisé to adjust colour or flavour – what is in the glass comes from the grape, the soil and the cask alone.
The bottle's distinctive carafe shape holds a VSOP that has rested at least 4 years in cask, presenting a calm, grounded expression of Grande Champagne's finesse.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Flowers and fresh grapes, with a light vanilla tone from the young Limousin oak.
Palate
Soft and direct, with notes of white fruit and a fine acidity that speaks of the unaltered Ugni Blanc base wine.
Finish
Short to medium, clean and lightly spiced.
Specifications
Name: Daniel Bouju VSOP Carafe
Distillery: Daniel Bouju
Country: France
Type: French Cognac
ABV: 40%
Size: 3 CL
Cask type: Limousin oak
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at room temperature as a small tasting sample
Flavour Profile
Flowers · White fruit · Vanilla · Light acidity
Did You Know?
Daniel Bouju is one of the few cognac houses still calling itself a grower-producer, meaning every drop comes from the house's own 30 hectares in Grande Champagne without any purchased distillate.