The Spirit Traveller Cognac No. 07 Lheraud

The Spirit Traveller No. 7 Cognac Lheraud (Cuvée 1990 & 20 ans)

The Spirit Traveller No. 7 Cognac Lheraud is a limited Cognac bottling created in partnership between Nicolas Kröger (Wagemut / The Spirit Traveller) and the house of Cognac Lheraud in Angeac-Charente, France. Produced from Ugni Blanc grapes and sourced from the Petite Champagne cru, this cuvée combines one part Cognac distilled in 1990 with one part Cognac aged for 20 years. The result is a small-batch spirit that focuses on clear origin, long maturation and natural presentation.

For this release, Nicolas Kröger was invited to create his own assemblage together with the Lheraud family. The blend consists of 50% Cognac distilled in 1990, which spent several decades in French oak, and 50% Cognac that matured for 20 years in cask. Both components were raised in traditional French oak barrels, allowing slow development of color and flavor. The spirit was then bottled in August 2025 for The Spirit Traveller series at cask strength, without chill-filtration and without added coloring or sweetening.

Cognac Lheraud is known for working with individual vintages and long-aged stocks, often highlighting Petite Champagne origin. In this bottling, that style is expressed through a profile built around stone fruit, citrus peel and gentle rancio. The Ugni Blanc base wines were distilled in a classic Alambic Charentais pot still, a method that preserves fine fruit character while creating a robust spirit suited to extended maturation in oak.

The nose of The Spirit Traveller No. 7 focuses on ripe fruit and measured oak influence. Aromas of apricot and candied orange come first, supported by darker notes of grape, vanilla and light tobacco. Subtle rancio tones provide depth, while toasted almonds and fine oak spice add structure. Nothing dominates; instead, each aroma appears in clear layers, inviting slow nosing rather than quick impressions.

On the palate, the Cognac is rich but controlled. The 49.4% ABV gives presence and intensity without overwhelming the flavors. Dried fruits recall figs and dates, joined by crème brûlée, honey and a hint of dark chocolate. The French oak brings a defined, slightly tannic backbone that frames the fruit and adds grip. Despite the higher strength, the texture remains smooth, with enough weight to fill the mouth but enough balance to stay precise.

The finish is long and warming, with walnut, fig and a distinct peppery note that lingers. Gentle spice, a touch of oak and a faint echo of tobacco stay on the palate, encouraging another sip. This length underlines the age of the component eaux-de-vie and the careful choice of casks used for maturation.

The Spirit Traveller No. 7 is released in a limited outturn of 1,475 bottles, each filled at natural cask strength. The decision to bottle without chill-filtration means that the texture and flavor remain as close as possible to the Cognac in cask. Small variations between bottles are possible, as is a light natural haze at lower serving temperatures, both signs of minimal intervention.

This Cognac suits drinkers who appreciate characterful single-cask and small-batch spirits and who are curious about independent selections from traditional family producers. It offers a chance to taste Petite Champagne Cognac from a house that works extensively with vintages, presented in a format that keeps all key information visible: cru, grape variety, blend components, bottling date and natural strength.

Presentation of the bottle

The Spirit Traveller No. 7 Cognac Lheraud is presented in a 500 ml bottle, a practical format that underlines its limited nature and focus on sharing rather than volume. The label clearly identifies The Spirit Traveller series as well as Cognac Lheraud, indicating the Petite Champagne origin, the blend of 1990 and 20-year-old Cognacs, the natural cask strength of 49.4% and the absence of additives. Batch and bottling information are printed directly on the bottle, making it easy to trace the release and placing all key technical details in front of the drinker.

The 50 cl size sits comfortably in the hand and on the table, making it suitable both for focused tastings and for occasional pours. The overall presentation is straightforward and functional, with the emphasis on transparency and information rather than decoration. It fits naturally into a line-up of other The Spirit Traveller bottlings, while also signaling the collaboration with Lheraud on the front label.

How to drink

The Spirit Traveller No. 7 Cognac Lheraud shows its structure and detail best when enjoyed neat. A tulip-shaped Cognac glass or a small wine glass helps to concentrate the aromas of apricot, candied orange, dark grapes and gentle rancio for slow nosing. Given the cask strength of 49.4%, starting with small pours allows you to explore the development in the glass over time.

Many drinkers will appreciate the Cognac at room temperature without dilution, where the texture is full and the finish particularly long. If the alcohol feels too present, adding a few drops of still water can open up more chocolate, honey and nutty notes while softening the perceived strength. There is no need for ice; a slight reduction with water is usually enough to adjust the balance to personal preference.

This bottling works well as a contemplative after-dinner drink, especially after a simple meal where strong residual flavors will not compete with the Cognac. It can also be used in a structured tasting alongside other Petite Champagne or vintage-focused Cognacs to highlight the influence of long aging and cask strength bottling. However it is served, The Spirit Traveller No. 7 is best approached with time and patience, allowing the layers of fruit, oak and spice to unfold slowly in the glass.