Introduction to Frapin

Frapin is located in the centre of the Grande Champagne Premier Cru du Cognac region in the sleepy little town of Segonzac, the finest designated region in Cognac. It is the only merchant located in the town and only sells Cognacs produced from grapes sourced from its own 778 acre estate in the heart of the Grande Champagne region. 

The Frapin family have been winegrowers since 1270 and mostly sold their Cognacs to Remy Martin, Hennessy, Courvoisier and other houses until the 1980's. Since 1984, when the Cointreau family took over what was then a forgotten brand, it has been selling increasing quantities of brandies. These brandies have been kept in new wood for longer than their competitors, so confident are they with the quality of it's brandies , the size of its stocks represent 18 years of sales (an amount of 2 to 3 times the quantity of the stocks held by its competitors). 

Frapin keeps its best cognacs in new oak for up to 2 and a half years, depending on the amount of colour (and therefore tannin) the spirit has absorbed.

Tasting Notes

This treasure of the Château has benefited from the production traditions of FRAPIN, with double distillation on the lees, which imparts complex aromas, a very concentrated bouquet, and an exceptional length on the palate closely linked to the House's style. This spirited cognac then ages in humid cellars in authentic Limousin oak barrels, whose wood adds notes of vanilla. After 20 years, the evolution of this very old eaux-de-vie, typical of Grande Champagne, reveals notes of old port mingled with the scents of cigar boxes.

Cigar Blend XO has a mahogany colour with coppery highlights. On the nose, it reveals elegant notes of mellow vanilla and dried fruits (walnuts and hazelnuts), due to the longer aging process in new oak barrels and the age-old know-how of the FRAPIN family. Very smooth, complex, balanced and subtle bouquet of old port blended with cigar box aromas, so typical of a Grande Champagne distilled on lees.

Absolutely superb with cigars that have characteristic aromas of honey and spices or dried fruits, particularly those from Honduras (the Santa Rosa region in the Northwest and Danley in the South). Served at room temperature, it expresses the famous 'Rancio' (the distinctive aromas of old cognacs that emerge between 15 and 20 years of age), characterised by flavours of nuts, hazelnuts, and dried fruits mingled with dried flowers. Best enjoyed with the finest cigars. Balance – roundness – richness. The Cigar Blend XO offers an exceptional length on the palate where all the flavours blend with subtlety and complexity. This cognac reveals a discreet note of vanilla from the wood tannin and a homogeneous bouquet with persistent aromas of spices, dried fruits, and Rancio. 'Exceptional with a cigar but also enjoyable on its own.' Patrice Piveteau, Master Cellar.