Some where in NYC in 2013, I had the great honor of sitting at a dinner celebrating one the most luxurious Cognac’s in the world. This dinner signified the 150 years of great tradition in the CAMUS (pronounced “Kah-moo”) family, which started in 1863. The 150 years was commemorated with a new blend Cuvée 5.150. This Cuvée is made up of Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, and Bons Bois. With a limited amount and a high price, this cognac is truly remarkable and a sight to see.
Throughout the whole dinner the anticipation only grew stronger for the unveiling of this $13,000 cognac that we’ve been hearing about all night. As we tasted some delicious pairings from Chef Scott Conant at his SCM Culinary Suite in SoHo, the CAMUS President Cyril CAMUS hosted and delighted us with some wonderful facts about the only family owned cognac brand in the world. Finally towards the end we were waiting for the bottle to finally appear, and as a fan of bottle designs I was floor by the 5.150’s design. It was modern, traditional (for CAMUS) all in one. The taste which I will attempt to capture in a few sentences was complex, with a touch of spice, vanilla, wood accents, citrus, exotic fruits and even almond. Here is how CAMUS describes their 5.150: “balanced and full, with rich, mellow flavours heralded by a creamy, milky vanilla. Apricot and pear awaken, brought out by the finesse of tropical fruits and a trace of sweet almond. Finish: long and tender, with spicy notes that allow the rancio flavour to enhance the fruity, finely woody, deliciously persistent finish.”
The Cuvee 5.150 comes in a 750ml size with an alcohol level at 45.5%. With roughly 1,490 bottles available, the 1st 150 buyers will get a limited 100ml called the “ultimate sample,” At the end of the dinner we were also introduced to CAMUS coffee, a bold, rich flavor with hints of cognac in the grains. Lastly we had the opportunity to taste the 5.150, and at about $500 per ounce my drink went down slow as i savored every drop, who knows when i'll have another opportunity right?
Overall CAMUS cognac has certainly stamped itself as probably the premium cognac with Cuvée 5.150. I left that dinner with a deep appreciation of the CAMUS family as they pour their heart and soul into their spirit. Family owned doesn’t come easy, but they find a way to reinvent them selves consistently, which keeps them at the top of the cognac mountain.
For more cognac ideas click on #Drinks. Cheers and Salute!
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