A Cognac Well Travelled: Tiffon’s Captain’s Paradise

April 12 saw the annual docking of the ship ‘Fram’ in the docks of Bordeaux.  Perhaps the refuelling stop of this polar ship is nothing exciting on its own, but it’s carrying one item of cargo which is extraordinary, to say the least.

For it is this ship, which traverses the globe from pole to pole, that carries for a year a 325 litre barrel of cognac from the small Maison Tiffon, in Jarnac, Charente.

The barrel, which contains a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne, Fin Bois and Borderies between 10 and 25 years of age, remains at sea for 365 days.  During this time, the eaux-de-vie is rocked by the ocean waves; mixed and subjected to temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees at the poles to plus 40 degrees at the equator.

Richard's Fine Nose

These extremes see the angels taking around 40 litres of content, but leaving an allegedly exceptional product.

Richard Braastad, cellar master of Maison Tiffon, says that subjecting the cognac to such treatment provides a blend which is round, soft and delicate with a taste so unique it’s barely comparable to anything else.

This barrel will be back in April 2012.  It will provide 610 bottles each containing 50cl of product and will carry the name ‘Fram Golden Age Adventure.’

Sources: www.sudouest.fr, www.cognac-tiffon.fr