Cognac Otard: history, overview of types, how to drink + interesting facts

Otard cognac is one of the most popular brands of spirits produced in France. The brand is named after its founder.

The history of the drink

Back in 1795, Baron Jean-Baptiste and his friend Jean Dupuy organized a cognac house and gave it the name - Otard-Dupuy.

In 1796, they bought an ancient castle with a unique location of the cellars below the river. Thanks to this structure, the room maintains a constant humidity of 90% and a temperature of 15 °C, which is optimal for aging cognac for many years.

The production was active until the end of the XIX century, after which the decline began. Dupuy decided to sell his share, after which the company changed its name to Otard.

In 1993, Bacardi Limited became the new owner. It, in turn, changed the shape of the bottle to the now well-known "cognac teardrop".

In 2011, the brand returned to its historical name and transformed the bottle design into a more modern one in the form of a "techno-drop".

All these changes by the new owners indicate respect for the creator of the brand, and the products have also acquired the title of the founder Jean Baptiste to the name.

Types of Otard cognac

1. Fortis et Fidelis

   It belongs to the most expensive types of cognac in the world. Cognac spirits aged for more than 100 years are used to create elite alcohol.

   An expensive cognac with an unusual strong taste combining aromas of nuts, plums and orange peel, as well as a long floral aftertaste.

   

2. Extra 1795 series

   Premium cognac made from raw materials aged in barrels for 40-120 years.

   It has a complex blend of flavors of prunes, hazelnuts and citrus notes.

   

3. Napoleon

   For the production of this drink, cognac spirits languish in barrels for 10 to 15 years.

   It has a delicate, light woody bouquet with notes of dried fruits and coconuts.

   

4. X series.O. Gold

   The color of the drink is dark amber. To create cognacs of this series, spirits must be aged for 15-35 years.

   The taste has notes of cheeses, aroma of hazelnuts and sweetness of honey.

   

5. VS series

   It has a golden color with yellow tints. The main note of the drink's aroma is a flowering vine.

   Spirits are aged for more than 2 years and have a taste of grapes and candied fruit.

   It is one of the most demanded and popular series among consumers in the alcohol market.

   

6. VSOP series

   It has a golden color with copper tints.

   The taste is mild with notes of citrus and vanilla, with an aftertaste of pear and tobacco.

   As an aperitif, it is combined with tonic and ice. Produced from spirits aged in barrels from 4.5 to 16 years.

   

7. Vintage series

   The drink has a dark amber color and reveals fruity aromas with notes of citrus and sandalwood.

   Mild balanced taste with an aftertaste of prunes and oak barrels.

   

How and with what to drink Otard cognac

In order to maximize and fully enjoy the taste sensations of this elite alcohol, the rules of serving and consumption are important.

The drink is poured at a temperature of 20-25 °C into special glasses in the shape of a goblet - snifters (wide glasses made of the finest glass).

Traditionally, cognac in such glasses is held for a long time until it reaches the right temperature and is drunk in small sips.

Delicate sweetish aroma reveals vanilla notes with a delicate aftertaste of honey. The warmed drink reveals a bouquet of floral and fruity notes. In the final aftertaste, the flavor has notes of oak.

Almost all types of Otard cognac are not usually served with appetizers, but are enjoyed after meals and used as a digestif.

Young cognac of the VS series can be served with ice cubes and accompanied by appetizers of fruits, cheeses and seafood.

Interesting facts

1. It is believed that if the bottle contains the name of a cognac without a title, the blend belongs to the period of production of the drink from 1991 to 2010, during which time the drink was produced in a bottle in the traditional "drop" form. If the word "baron" is added to the name, these are blends from 2011.

2. For the production and aging of Otard cognacs, barrels made of oak from the Tronsay and Limousin forests are used. This wood contributes to the extraordinary cognac flavor of the drink.

3. Today, at many factories, the production of alcoholic beverages is fully automated. The Otard company produces its cognacs using only manual labor.

Update: 04.02.2020

Category: Brandy and Cognac