Friday, August 28, 2009

Napoleon > Busta > Estler

Courvoisier dates back to the early 19th century with a chance meeting between two connoisseurs of booze, Emmanuel Courvoisier and Louis Gallois. It wasn’t long before Courvoisier, based out of Jarnac in southwest France, received recognition from the Royal courts. When Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena after the battle of Waterloo, he liked Courvoisier so much that he insisted hundreds of bottles be sent with him into exile. That’s why all the bottles have the title “the cognac of Napoleon” and that little depiction of him. I just hope when the hammer finally falls upon me that I am given such a choice. Unlike brandy, which can be made anywhere, a decree made by French authorities in 1909 stipulated that for a spirit to take the name of “cognac,” it must be made in the cognac region. Courvoisier uses Ugni grapes that are stored at least two years after distillation. Unfortunately, during its maturation, 2.5% of the booze’s volume is lost through evaporation, which is referred to as "la part des anges" or in English, "the angel’s share". There’s something special about this cognac. Busta Rhymes even made a song called “Pass the Courvoisier.” With all this acclaim, I have no choice but to try it.

And yes those are oatmeal cookies I focused on instead.

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