Jacky Navarre

Situated along the banks of France's Charente River, entirely within Cognac's Grande Champagne cru, the eleven hectare Navarre estate was founded in 1811. Jacky Navarre is the fourth generation to distil here, and one of the last purists among artisan Cognac producers.

He works under one simple rule: "Let nature do most of the work."

How it is made

The vineyards are mostly Ugni Blanc, with small amounts of Folle Blanche, Colombard, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Grapes are hand-harvested, then immediately fermented and distilled in a 1200 litre copper charentais pot still.

The humid environment of the estate naturally reduces the spirit's proof across decades of maturation, and water is added slowly during ageing to arrive at bottling strength. After blending, the cognac sits for over a year to marry.

No filtration. No colouring. No additives. No boise. Ever.

The expressions

Vieille Reserve. Around thirty years in oak. The humidity of the cellar reduces it naturally to 90 proof. 45% ABV, natural cask strength, 100% Ugni Blanc.

Jason Wilson gave it 99 points in Vinous: "Wows the palate with so much going on at once, both profound and hedonistic." Difford's Guide calls it "full-bodied and luxurious."

Souvenir Imperial. A blend of Navarre's oldest casks, distilled between the late 1950s and the early 1970s, first bottled in 2011 to mark two hundred years of the Navarre distilling family. 40% ABV.

98 points from Jason Wilson: "all manner of rancio on the expressive nose of tropical fruit, exotic wood, green banana peel and antique furniture varnish."

La Cravache d'Or. A blend of casks around twenty years old. 45% ABV, 100% Ugni Blanc.

Pineau des Charentes, Vieux and Rose. 17% ABV.

Packing

All five bottlings ship in 6 x 750ml cases.

Vieille Reserve, PMR-NAVVLR-75. Souvenir Imperial, PMR-NAVSVI-75. La Cravache d'Or, PMR-NAVCDR-75. Pineau des Charentes Vieux, PMR-NAVPCV-75. Pineau des Charentes Rose, PMR-NAVPCR-75.

For wholesale orders, get in touch.