Camus cognac: history, specifics, overview of types and taste + interesting facts
One of the oldest alcoholic brands in France, Camus is one of the most famous and reputable. The company has representative offices in 8 countries, including Russia.
Among the family-owned French producers, the Cognac House from the Bordeaux region is the largest, and in the total number of enterprises producing eaux-de-vie, it ranks fifth in terms of sales.
History of the Camus brand
The ancestor of the famous brand was Jean-Baptiste Camus, who in 1863, together with a group of winemakers, founded a consortium called "La Grande Marque". In the following years, the entrepreneur bought out the shares of his partners and included his name in the company's name. The cognacs produced by the independent company became known as "Camus La Grande Marque".
The next representative of the family, Gaston Camus, paid special attention to promoting the products in Europe and Russia. In particular, he signed a lucrative contract with Société Depret and began supplying cognacs to the court of the Russian Tsar.
Michael Camus, who managed the company in the middle of the XX century, focused on the development of an innovative direction - tax-free business. This allowed the brand to become one of the leaders in the field of duty-free trade.
Jean-Paul Camus, who took over the management of the Cognac House in the postwar years, significantly expanded the territory of the vineyards owned by the company.
1932: Michel, grandson of Jean-Baptiste, became the owner of the brand. He had an innate sense of smell and a well-developed sense of smell, which helped him to create unique blends.
1959: in the year the Camus trademark received a license that opened up the alcohol market in the Soviet Union for 30 years.
1977: In the year, the reins of the company were passed to the great-grandson of the company's founder, Jean-Paul, who contributed to a significant expansion of production. The vineyard area was increased and the purchase of blending tanks was organized.
1988: this year, the new generation of Camus - two brothers Cyril and Jean-Baptiste II - began exporting their products to the United States.
Today the company is managed by a representative of the fifth generation of the famous family. Cyril Camus is betting on the global distribution of the brand's drinks, most actively developing French-Chinese cooperation.
For 150 years of its existence, the company has remained an independent producer that does not forget its history. The family has its own family castle (Plessy), founded in the XVI century.</p
Specificity of production
The main secret of the excellent taste of Camus cognacs is 5 principles that guide the owners of the House:
Careful attitude to the environment
The main domain of Camus La Gîte is surrounded by magnificent wild forests, untouched by man.
The vineyards are cultivated in a special way that allows the fields to accumulate organic matter.
Making the most of the Bordeaux Cru terroir
For better aromatization, grape raw materials are allowed to rest for 2 hours after harvesting, after which they are carefully pressed and fermented at a certain temperature for 6 days.
3 different strains of yeast are included in the wort to obtain a richer bouquet.
Preserving traditions
Many processes at the enterprise are done "the old-fashioned way" - without the use of automation. Distillation is carried out in small steel cubes with a capacity of no more than 25 hectoliters.
The wines are not pre-filtered, and the first 20 liters of spirits obtained during the second distillation are continuously tasted by the master. He selects samples with the brightest bouquet, which are added to the final distillate to enhance the flavor.
This process, patented by Camus, is called "Intensity".
Special aging technology
The cognacs are matured in small barrels, which ensure the greatest contact of alcohols with wood.
Vessels are made of fine-grained oak and subjected to a special roasting procedure - "french light toasting".
Passion for the work and obsession with quality
The manufacturer cares about the perfect taste and design of its drinks, regularly modernizing production and recruiting people who are sincerely devoted to cognac craftsmanship.
Types of Camus cognac
Camus Very Special
The drink has a deep golden color. It is characterized by the predominance of fruit notes and subtle spices.
The aroma is characterized by floral tones of violet and jasmine, the taste has fresh accents of mango, pear, sweet almonds, light tannins.
Camus VSOP
A luxurious blend of amber-golden hue, dominated by floral notes.
The bouquet harmoniously combines fresh fruit, delicate woody and exquisite tropical accents.
The finish pleases with tones of vanilla and spices.
Camus XO
Elegant cognac of a beautiful golden color with copper interspersed, surprising with an explosive multi-layered mixture of fruit, spice and wood notes.
The aroma contains tones of buttery pastries, apricot, orange, white flowers with a slight interspersion of cinnamon shades.
The rich flavor combines oily and fruity accents, complemented by a long, warm trail of spices.
Camus Extra
A unique elite blend of rare spirits, first introduced in the 70s. The exclusive cognac is distinguished by its bright golden color with red reflections.
The rich floral aroma complements the multilayered taste with cream, confectionery, tobacco, nut, violet and leather hints.
Velvet finish surprises with exceptional durability.
Camus Extra Dark & Intense
A drink of exquisite copper-topaz color, created on the basis of the previous. A unique technology is used to enhance the aroma of the precious product.
Cognac barrels are heated over an open fire to release the remaining alcohol trapped inside the wood.
After the heat treatment, the drink is poured back into the vessels and undergoes an additional aging stage.
The merger of finished cognac with the released alcohols results in a "dark and intense" product that is sold in a black bottle.
Main notes: gingerbread, roasted macadamia nut, bitter chocolate, buttercream, spices.
Other Camus series are also available:
Elegance
Borderies
Ile De Re
Cognac Special Finish.
Interesting facts about the Camus brand
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The ancient castle of Plesy is the ancestral home of the Camus family.
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The company owns a network of retail stores in China, where you can taste rare Camus brands and get recommendations from leading experts.
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In 2010, the brand opened a club in Shanghai, where cognac connoisseurs can create their own assemblage of Camus distillates under the guidance of a master blender.
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The company has offices in eight countries, on three continents, with about 550 employees.
Update: 05.02.2020
Category: Brandy and Cognac