Founded in 1824, Delamain Cognac is celebrating its 200-year, 9-generation pursuit of cognac excellence throughout the 2024 calendar year with a series of special bicentenary events taking place across the globe. As part of the celebrations, this year the Maison has introduced two exceptional new blends: L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire launched as a limited edition, and L’Oiseau Rare which will be a permanent addition to the Delamain range.

L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional blends the Maison has released in its 200-year history. Containing a once-in-a-lifetime blend of extra-old cognacs featuring eaux-de-vie selected and nurtured by five Cellar Masters across a century, this outstanding cognac has great presence, depth, and enduring fruity aromas.

The legendary blend’s five Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie are all extremely rare. Together, they reflect the insatiable curiosity of the successive Delamain generations. Each eau-de-vie was unearthed and nurtured by one of the last five generations of the Delamain family during their time at the House, representing a different vintage and micro terroir. These eaux-de-vie reached maturity in casks before being transferred, one after the other, to dames-jeannes, then stored for decades on end in a dark corner of one of the oldest cellars in Jarnac.

The blend is presented in a 10L dame-jeanne masterpiece, which has been created by expert goldsmiths and Maison d’Art, Galerie Goossens, one of twelve Maisons d’Art reunited by Chanel at the 19M premises in Paris. This ornately decorated artwork captures the House of Delamain and Goossens’ shared passion for nature and their devotion to exceptional craftsmanship. It is made up of 245 pieces, individually crafted by Goossens to create this ornate embellishment through a seven-stage process, including two beautifully crafted gold-plated vineyard birds.

Delamain Cellar Master, Charles Braastad, says: “The House’s bicentenary was the perfect occasion to open and taste these precious dames-jeannes and to craft a cognac worthy of its 200-year anniversary. As we tasted these extraordinary spirits, we were deeply moved and felt immense gratitude towards my Cellar-Master ancestors, who did such a fine job of crafting, selecting, maturing and nurturing these eaux-de-vie, preserving them for their descendants, so that today we can bring them together in this extremely rare and exceptional bicentenary cognac.”

 The 10L dame-jeanne containing L’Edition Rare du Bicentenaire blend is set to be sold online by renowned international auction house, Bonhams, for an estimated price of 100,000€-200,000€, with the auction now live and running until 6th December 2024. In addition to the iconic dame-jeanne, the lucky buyer will receive an identically decorated 70cl bottle, a decorated pipette crafted by Goossens, and the opportunity to attend a two-day experience at the Delamain House in Jarnac. For more information on the sale visit bonhams.com.

Delamain will also be releasing 200 individually numbered 70cl Limited Edition bottles of L’Edition Rare du Bicentennaire which are presented in an oak gift box featuring an exclusive medallion crafted by Goossens, upon presentation of which, the bearer will be entitled to a private tasting with Delamain’s Cellar Master in Jarnac. L’Editon Rare du Bicentenaire 70cl will shortly be available from Fine Wine Merchants with an RSP of £6,000 per bottle.