Cabanne et Fils

Status: Operational

Established: Not supplied

Visitor Policy: Not generally accessible

Tel: +33 (0)5 4536 8383

Website: http://www.hawkinsdistribution.com

With origins dating back to 1686, Cabanne et Fils Distillery is now run by Alexis Cabanne and his English wife Chrystelle, representing the sixth generation of growers and distillers.

Lying in the Petit Champagne and Fins Bois regions, their 74 hectares (183 acres) of vineyards are planted exclusively with Ugni Blanc and surround the family Chateau and distillery. They operate 15 traditional Charente cognac stills, each with a 25 hectolitre capacity and distil on the lees.

The Cabanne family use exclusively Limousin oak casks made at the Seguin Moreau cooperage in Cognac. Their traditional cellars border the River Charente with stocks of around 4,000 hectolitres of eau-de-vie, some dating back to 1806.

Unlike so many other cognac producers Alexis Cabanne proudly says the only additive they use is water to reduce to bottling strength. “No sugar, no caramel and no boise – I have the time to age in real time. We do add a little sugar for the Chinese market.”

A relatively small cognac house, the Cabanne family supply eau-de-vie to some of the largest houses but also proudly produce a cognac range themselves from VS and VSOP through to XO and vintage cognacs under the Richard Delisle label, a brand the family acquired during WWII.