Pasquet "L'Esprit de Famille" Paul Cognac

Pasquet "L'Esprit de Famille" - Paul's Cognac

Pasquet’s “L’Esprit de Famille” series was created to honor personalities from within the world of Cognac. This most recent release is a homage to Paul Lamure and comes in the form of a 70 year old Cognac, made using grapes harvested in the region of Petite Champagne. Only 180 bottles are available, with 70% of the blend coming from the eaux-de-vie that Paul set aside in 1949.

The story of Paul:

Before meeting Denise, Paul Lamure worked in a bank in Cognac. In 1941 the couple married and Paul began working with Denise and her parents on their property in Julienne. Five hectares of vineyards and a four hectoliter potstill had been passed on through three generations to the family. Under Paul’s direction they worked together to expand the Petite Champagne and Fins Bois vineyards to 20 hectares.

During the Second World War, Paul continued to supply one of the large Cognac houses, just as father-in-law had done for many years. However, in 1947 he made the decision to bottle his own Cognac and Pineau under his brand “La Grange du Bois”, the place name of their house. He then began to build up the stock of his first Cognac and part of this was recently released and sold in 2020.

Seventy percent of this Cognac blend has come from the Demi-johns which contain only Cognacs from 1949, the third year in which he put eaux-de-vie aside. It was distilled in the 4hl wood and charcoal-burning, nineteenth century potstill which is still on the property today. The eaux-de-vie remained unblended in oak barrels, kept in an old and humid cellar for over six decades before being transferred to glass. Elisabeth, Paul and Denise’s second daughter, discovered them in 2011, however by this time then were under 40% alcohol and so she set to blending them to perfection. The remaining thirty percent of the blend is from the early 80’s, when she had first returned to work on the property.

Paul’s tenacious personality and stunning eaux-de-vie lead him to build his brand with many avid connoisseurs all across France. His daughter, Elisabeth, came to join him in 1982 and brought a love of travel and thus export markets with her. Alongside his wife and children, Elisabeth and Philippe, Paul continued to expand his vineyards and production.

As the years went on, Paul acquired fifteen more hectares and another twenty hectoliter potstill. He continued to use his accounting skills to keep his accounts and stocks of eaux-de-vie in order until he was of the grand age of 85 and passed away in 1997. Following this, some of the vineyards were sold, but Elisabeth continued to welcome people from far and wide to her cellars and keeps her share of the vineyards and stocks to this day. Unfortunately, there is now no-one to take over, and so the last of the La Grange du Bois Cognacs are contained in these bottles. Ready for you to experience a piece of Cognac and Lamure family history.

Presentation of the bottle:

A classic cognacaise bottle featuring a vignette that appears to be handwritten, alluding to the age and personal quality of this Cognac. The red wax seal and stamp also gives the bottle a particularly authentic feel.

The bottle comes presented in classic, embossed wooden box.