D’USSÉ Cognac

History of D'USSÉ Cognac

D'Ussé Cognac is conceived by musician Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and Michel Casavecchia, one of the world's most important authorities on Cognac. The brand is a beacon of contemporary luxury and one of the oldest Cognac houses in the world. It is rooted in the historic Château de Cognac's 200-year legacy. 

D'USSÉ Cognac today

Casavecchia, a true master of his craft, oversees the creation of D'Ussé's distinguished VSOP and XO cognacs, ensuring each bottle captures the essence of its meticulous aging process. The VSOP offers a rich palette of woody and cinnamon notes. At the same time, the XO boasts a complex blend of blackberry, apricot, dark chocolate, and walnut flavors, culminating in a harmoniously balanced finish. D'Ussé is a cultural icon and works to transcend Cognac by standing for integrity, boldness, freedom, and the elevation of authenticity.

Interesting facts about the history of D’USSÉ Cognac

1. The Dussé brand takes the symbol of the Cross of Lorraine - that's probably why you might know it as the Cognac with a cross on the bottle. It represents the French emblem of courage, honor, and perseverance. They have adopted a symbol of French history for their own. Therefore, the bottles from this Cognac house look particularly medieval, royal, and rustic.

2. They are located at the iconic Château de Cognac which was, in fact, the birthplace of François I king of France. Sitting on the banks of the Charente, you couldn’t get a more scenic spot for producing Cognac.

3. D’USSÉ Cognac is produced by the same house that brings you the Cognac of Baron Otard - who have been producing Cognacs for centuries.

4. D’USSÉ Cognac is owned by Bacardi, the largest family-owned spirits company in the world, alongside Grey Goose, Dewar’s Scotch Whisky, and Bombay Sapphire Gin.

5. Jay-Z is now part owner of the D’USSÉ Cognac brand.

Jay Z - D’USSÉ Cognac Ambassador and Part-Owner

Read more about Jay Z's exclusive collaboration with this Cognac brand on our blog here. Jay Z is quite the businessman, having already founded Rocawear and Roc Nation.

Michel Cassavecchia, D’USSÉ Cellar Master

Michel Cassavecchia has been crafting Cognacs for over 20 years and has a particular skill in blending to produce a spirit that can be enjoyed both neat, and with certain cocktails. The D’USSÉ Cognac brand has this at the forefront of their craft: he has created an older VSOP blend for aromatic purposes and is left to mature for 6 months after blending.

The Château de Cognac: Home of D’USSÉ Cognac

The Cognac is blended and crafted at the historic Chateau de Cognac, one of the oldest Cognac houses in France.

It is close to the River Charente, resulting in two different climates - a humid cellar that results in fruity, floral notes, and the dry cellar creates woody, spicy flavors of the Cognac. Blending the two eaux-de-vie is the secret to their bottles, the VSOP and XO. Cognac has been produced at this property for over 200 years.

Read more about how D’USSÉ Cognac is made here on our blog.