Fabian H.

Spirits enthusiast from Lake Constance, Germany My journey into the world of fine spirits is still a relatively young one and that is exactly what makes it so exciting to me. After more than ten years without alcohol, I rediscovered spirits from a completely different perspective. Today, drinking itself is not what fascinates me. I am interested in flavour, craftsmanship, provenance, history and the people behind the bottle. For me, a great spirit is something to explore rather than simply consume. My journey started in 2025 with rum, which opened the door to an entire world I had previously known very little about. From there, curiosity quickly took over: whisky and bourbon followed, then Armagnac, Calvados and agave spirits. But somewhere along the way, Cognac became something special too me. What fascinates me most is the incredible diversity hidden behind the word “Cognac”. Beyond the famous houses lies a world of small producers, family estates, individual vintages, forgotten casks and independent bottlings. Discovering the differences between Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois and experiencing how age, wood, cellar conditions and the philosophy of a producer can completely transform the character of an eau-de-vie has become one of the most fascinating parts of my spirits journey. I am particularly drawn to mature, expressive and characterful Cognacs. I enjoy rich fruit, dried raisins and plums, rancio, dark chocolate, caramel, old oak and those deep, almost mysterious aromas that only time seems capable of creating. At the same time, I do not consider myself an expert. My palate is still developing, and there is an enormous amount left for me to learn. That is part of the attraction. Every bottle, every tasting and every conversation adds another small piece to the picture. I approach Cognac with curiosity rather than rules. Sometimes an old vintage from a small producer excites me; sometimes an unconventional finish or a modern interpretation does. A prestigious name alone does not make a bottle interesting to me, character and the story behind it do. Through my Instagram project Grand Theft Spirits Singen Hohentwiel, I document this journey and share bottles, discoveries and personal tasting impressions from Cognac and the wider world of spirits. I am not searching for the “perfect” Cognac. I am searching for the next bottle that surprises me.