About me

I have taken an interest in cognac for quite a few years now. I am what the French would call ‘un amateur de cognac’. In these past years I have gathered a lot of information about the subject that I want to share with you. I considered writing a book, but the market is just too small.
I have not only gained my knowledge by reading about cognac – a lot of reading – but also by visiting the region and by tasting many different cognacs at home, in restaurants and at tastings.

I have tried to build the menu with a logical structure so that it is easy for everyone to find what he or she is looking for. I hope that you will find your answers as well and if not, do not hesitate to send me a message.


Ton Hendriks


Comments

About me — 106 Comments

  1. Hello Ton,

    do you have more informations about Cognac “Chateau de la jaubertie” ?

    thank you

    Best regards,

    Edouard PEYRAT

    • Sorry, I dont have much. It is a wine producer in Colombier (Bergerac area) who also used to make some cognac at one time.

  2. Hello Ton, i got that bottle from my father who found it in a wall in 1950. I cant find any informations online. Let me know if you can help me! Thanks again! Max

    • There is not much information about this brand. In 1890 it was already taken over by E. Normandin & Co., so now it it is owned by Gautier because Normandin merged with Gautier. The registration for this brand in the global brand database is still active.
      This looks like a very old bottle to me, probably 19th century.

  3. Hi Ton! I recently came across a case of cognac. I can’t find any information about it. I was hoping you might be able to help me.
    I am attaching a picture of the bottle.
    Thank you

  4. Hallo Ton! Ik zou het zeer op prijs stellen als u mij vertelt over de rijpingsperiode en de geschatte kosten van deze cognac.

    • Sorry for the late response. I don’t know how old it is. They were produced in the 1980s. They are numbered bottles. I would expect the contents to be more than 30 years old, but I am not sure.
      Some websites charge ridiculously high prices. But I think with a bit of luck you can buy such a bottle at auction for around €300-500.

  5. Hi Ton,

    I just checked some bottles of A.E. Dor because I was offered a 1800 2.0 ltr. bottle (see attachment) which seems to be NO fake. Fakes are: The Dor 1677 – produced maybe by Dor itself. They often produce just what customers want to have. Of course there is no 1677 worldwide. Another fake is of course the 1872 (picture shows my bottle) which I owned some years ago. I was SO blind because I trusted the seller that I did not WANT to see it’s a fake! Dor never made vintage cognac of such a bright color.

    Best regards
    Robert

    • Hello Robert,

      Thank you for your information. I’ll put a cautionary word by that bottle.
      If you ever see any other fake bottles, I’d love to hear about it.
      Regarding your 1800 magnum, it would be very nice if I could add that to the catalogue page. I’ll send you an email, it might be easier that way.

      Best regards,
      Ton

    • Good afternoon, Ton!
      Please tell me how many years of aging this cognac has. This bottle of Chateau de Montifaud does not have this information.

      Sincerely,
      Vladimir, Ukraine

  6. Hello Ton,
    years ago i got this Camus van Gogh book bottle from my grandfather. Now i’m trying to find out more about it. After looking at you collection i’m not sure if it is original. it has a different cap and on the bottom there is no series no., but it has the castel Limoges logo and a number on the left.
    May be you know more about the labels on the bottom?
    I would really appreciate your help, thanks in advance!
    best wishes
    Martin

    • Hi Martin,

      I assume it is already emptied or is it not?
      I have seen one other bottle without text on the bottom and with a different cap. It is the 6th bottle on the Camus bottle page. And although I can’t be sure, I don’t trust these.
      On the other hand, it is a hell of a job to counterfeit such a porcelain bottle. And if someone would be capable of making such a bottle, why not also adding the appropriate text. Maybe the Camus company ordered a batch that had to be made in a hurry? That would explain it.
      The cap is a different thing. It would be easy to lose a cap and replace it with a different one. Maybe if a bottle has been on display in a shop. In that case, I would suspect that the box is also missing because the right capsule (shaped like a lilly) would be in that box.

      If the bottle is not empty, I would drink it myself. The cognac is probably okay.
      Kind regards,
      Ton

      • Hi Ton,

        Thank you for the quick reply… you are right, the box is missing and the bottle is empty. I will keep the bottle despite uncertain origin as a memory, it is despite everything a beautiful piece of art! Congratulations again on this homepage, it is very well done!

        best wishes,
        Martin

  7. My deceased father used to be a victualler and left me a bottle of Renault 10 year old champagne congac after he passed away. It also came in the box and he had it over 70 years. I am interested in its age, but I value and history. Can you help?

    • I am sorry, but I have no other information then what you can find on the Internet.
      It is 100 years old cognac, but I don’t know when it was bottled. In my opinion this bottle looks like a 1970-80s bottle, but if you say your father had it for over 70 years, then it could be true what some say that it is from the 1930s.
      The worth is difficult to assess. It all depends how much people are willing to bid in an auction. Some shops ask more then €1.000 but they are very patient and can wait a very long time. In an auction you could be looking at €500-800 I guess. It also depends where you auction it. Catawiki would be a decent candidate.
      Good luck.
      Ton

      • Thanks I’ve seen this one sell at auction at bonhams for £1200.It also comes with the original box (pic. Attached) which looks extremely old and perhaps might add a premium to the price?

  8. My deceased father used to be a victualler and left me a bottle of Renault 10 year old champagne congac after he passed away. It also came in the box and he had it over 70 years. I have seen some interesting valuations,but I am equally interested in its age and history. Can you help?

  9. Good afternoon, Ton.
    A few years ago, this bottle was brought to me from an old wine cellar in Italy. There is no information about it and this cognac house anywhere.
    Presumably it has been closed for a long time and the bottle is dated to the 1950s.
    Maybe you know something about her? And what is its approximate cost now?
    Thank you for your work

    • I have no idea. There’s no reference to this brand to be found anywhere. Not in any of my books, not in the Global Brand Database, not in the Charente Archives.
      I guess you own the website Violity? That’s the only place I could find a picture of the bottle, the same one you sent me.

      Kind regards,
      Ton

      • Нет, но я там ее выставил. Как я понимаю- это очень редкая бутылка.

  10. Hello Ton,
    Incredible site – it’s an amazing resource.
    Would you be available to talk about a particular piece of history I am researching for a commercial project. Would you email me?
    andy

  11. Dear Ton,

    You’re welcome, you have my e-mail Address, write me, I could send you some other interesting Pictures of Cognac Bottles.

    Best Regards

    Dirk

    • Hello Dirk,

      Beautiful bottle, but I am afraid I have no additional information about this one. This is the first one I see.
      I am always on the look-out so if I happen to come across some more information I will let you know.
      Because of the name ‘Souvenir de Paradis’ I would assume the contents are aged over 50 years.
      I would like to think such a bottle would be worth a minimum of €200, but DM does not sell that well, even a magnum, so a bit luck in an auction is needed.
      I think the DM are underrated because they are really good cognacs.

      Would it be possibe to send met two photo’s of the whole bottle, front and back, for me to use in the bottle catalogue?
      That would be much appreciated.
      Kind regards,
      Ton

  12. Dear Ton,

    First of all, respect for your hard work in creating this extensive Cognac Page.

    I would like to thank you, your Site has helped me many times in my search for Information about Cognac Houses and Cognac Bottles.

    Your wonderful Cognac Side shows me how much you love this Spirit. I think we are both Brothers in Spirit, for us Cognac is much more than a Drink, it is a Journey through Time.

    Today I turn to you with a Question. I bought the following Cognac Bottle a few Years ago.

    Cognac Denis-Mounié
    Souvenier du Paradis
    Très vieux Napoleon
    Grand Cognac Extra
    from 07.May. 1970
    Magnum Bottle 1,5 Liters.

    The only thing I can find out about this Bottle is that it was given away in a very small Edition to selected Customers of Denis-Mounié at a special Event. There is no Alcohol Strength listed on the Bottle, which is unusual. The label on the back of the Bottle is Red Velvet.

    What can you tell me about this Bottle and have you seen a Bottle like this before?

    Which of course would also be very interesting to find out which special Event it was?

    What’s in the Bottle? But finding out will probably be impossible.

    Best Regards

    Dirk

  13. Hey Ton! Looking for a professionals help on an old Hennessy sealed bottle thats been in the family since 70s or earlier! Bottle was first in grandparents house then moved to pur storage locker for a few decades now!
    Wondering a value and estimated year of this bottle

    • These bottles were made from around 1973 onwards. It is not possible to give an exact year. At the end of the 1970s they were replaced by VS instead of Bras Armé.
      Bras Armé is the lowest quality. Until a few years ago they were sold for €30-50, but recently the prices are higher, even above €100. You just have to have a little luck at an auction. The label is heavily damaged, which will affect its value.
      Good luck,
      Ton

  14. Dear Ton,

    I hope this message finds you well.
    I am a great admirer of your work and website, and in my upcoming auction in London for Bonhams, I have many great Cognacs that I would be glad for you to see and add to your bottle catalogues to keep them updated with several extraordinary rare Cognacs offered in my catalogue that I am sure you know, but rarely seen!

    Would love for you to contact me, I have left my email in this comment form.

    Very best
    Diego

  15. Hello Ton,
    What an interesting site you have! I have an early J.H.D. Becker Fils bottle and I have never seen another one. The brand name is painted in gilt and black enamel directly onto the bottle along with the company’s crest logo. It is dated 1834, but it is my understanding that this particular bottle was sold as a 50-year cognac. I was able to find an advertisement for it in Philadelphia in 1883-84. Any insight you might have would be appreciated!

    • Indeed I beautiful bottle! Sadly I only have a picture of an old label of this brand. You can see it here.
      Becker Fils was a winemaker in Bordeaux (91 Quai des Chartrons) who also ventured into cognac at some point in time.
      I have googled a little and I could find a 1848 add for J.H.D. Becker in a German newspaper and a 1866 add in a French newspaper.
      That’s all.

  16. Hi Ton,
    I have just come across your fantastic website while researching Louis XIII. I have an unopened bottle. It is in a rattan basket and has the number 199 engraved on the bottle and stopper. It has a sheet of paper with a story on it about the bottle with a date of 1957.
    I would be happy to send some photos over.
    I have had it for many years and in truth not really sure what to do with it. Maybe some advice on value and selling it would be brilliant.
    Thanks and take care, Andrew

    • Hi Andrew,

      The date of 1957 refers to the visit of Queen Elizabeth to France in 1957. So the bottle is from around 1957 tot 1962.
      Does it have a rectangular label or a bean shape label?
      Prices vary from 1500 to 3000 pound, depending on how many people are willing to bid against each other.
      There are several auctioneering houses to choose from. I’ll send you an e-mail with some names.

      Regards,
      Ton

    • Hi Gary,

      The last bottle looks to be a Madeira wine. I don’t know anything about Madeira.
      The Brillet Napoleon is not very interesting. I would say €50-80.
      The other two bottles are definitely interesting. Mind you, it’s difficult to put a price on cognac bottles. They are usually sold at auctions and it all depends on the country where the auction is in and on how many people are willing at that particular time to bid against each other.
      Lately prices have gone up and are still rising. You see some online shops asking ridiculous high prices, but as a person trying to sell your bottle at an auction, you will not come to that.
      The 1929 BB&R I would estimate €600-1.000. It’s a wide range, but although BB&R always has good cognacs, people outside the UK probably don’t know what to expect from it. They have often worked with Delamain and Frapin, but it also could be cognac from another brand.
      The photo of the Briand Paradis, Héritage de Madame Briand, doesn’t show the capsule, but I presume it’s in an okay condition. The level in the bottle is a bit low but not a big problem nowadays. I would say €800-1.000. Gert v. Paczensky writes highly of the Briand Paradis.

      Hope this helps.
      Sincere regards,
      Ton

  17. Hi Ton,
    I’m not sure if my last attempt worked. I apologize if I did; I’m becoming delirious while trying to search this bottle.

    Any information would greatly be appreciated. I know it was purchased right before prohibition but that’s as far as I can find. Is it really a cognac or is it a brandy? There’s also a whiskey that will be up for sale it’s photographed next it to it on the website so could it may be a Whiskey? The wording on the label makes it very confusing.

    thanks
    Kate

  18. Dear Ton,

    In 2008 year my husband bought this XO cognac on his trip and hold it till now (till the birthday party, when the young people drunk it). Is it possible to buy such a cognac now (the same)?

    • That is not so easy. He sells his cognacs at his house in Segonzac and at the Maison de Grande Champagne, also in Segonzac. Now and then you can buy one in an auction, but I haven´t seen one recently.
      Saunier is a bouilleur de cru and makes great cognacs, especially his Hors d´Age. But his XO is also very good.

  19. Hello Ton

    Thank you so much for the effort and research that you have put into these pages.

    I have just returned from a few days in Cognac visiting the houses who make my favourite drinks – Hine, Delamain, VALLEIN TERCINIER, Tesseron and Remy/Louis XIII

    Your information was really useful before and during my trip, thanks again.

    I have attached an image of some of the oldest demi-johns at Tesseron, solely for your enjoyment.

    James

    • This is a three star cognac, brand name is César, produced by Lucien-Foucauld. It is pretty old by the looks of it, but I can’t really say how old. Probably 1950s or older. This is the first full size bottle I see of this brand. So it is a rare bottle, but there aren’t any collectors for this brand. That makes it difficult to appraise it.
      Could you send me a bigger format picture if I send you an email?

  20. Hi Ton,
    can you tell me something about these bottle A.E. Dor?
    The bottle was bought 1989 in Belgium and was a gift (50 year old cognac for a 50th birthday).
    I am looking forward your answer.
    Kind regards
    Dietmar

    • Hello Dietmar,

      I can’t really make out what is written on the label. It looks to say nr. 3, but it could also be no. 5 or even no. 8.
      The alcohol percentage is also important. Maybe you could send me a better (bigger) picture if I send you an e-mail?

      Regards,
      Ton

  21. Hi Ton,

    I would like to ask about what year and what is the value of my Hennessy.

    Would you be able to send me an email and later I send you the picture of my bottle?

    Regards,
    Xiang

    • I can’t really tell if this is a half or a full bottle.
      I guess you could expect €50-60 voor a half bottle and 80-100 for a full bottle on an auction at best.

  22. Dear Ton Hendriks,
    thank You very much for this brilliant website full of information on cognac.
    In Your pages on names of the past “Rouyer,Goillet & Cie” is featured together with a picture. This is exactly the bottle I bought from a person in Belgium some weeks ago. The blue cap was taken from a german “Classic” wine (off-dry basic stuff) and is plastic shrink-to-fit. Labels are from a printer. Back label most probable inkjet. Front label talks of petite champagne whereas Grande Fine Champagne 1976 is written in bold type. No idea what the content is. This is a cheap fake of Rouyer-Guillet. BEWARE !!!
    Best greetings,
    Boris Lantrewitz

  23. Hi Tom. Are you aware of any brass serving carts with display bottle of Louis xii it sits on a porcelain and chrome stand. The cart is round and has glass racks on bottom

    • Hi Josh,

      No I have not heard of such carts. If you google ‘brass serving cart Louis XIII’ you get to see some carts, but I think the Louis is rather refering to the Louis XVI style than to the Louis XIII cognac.

      Ton

  24. Hello I am looking for information about cognac in a can. I want to produce a drink but there is not a lot of information available. You are super knowledgeable. I will compensate you for a quick conversation.

  25. Hi Ton discovered your website doing some Hennessy bottle research. I found the bottom of a bottom and just curious if you could tell me more about it, preferably the age. I think it’s mid 1900s so I know nothing old or anything. Could even be just a couple years old. The picture file is too large but it says Jas Hennessy & Co Cognac France SG 0.75 F30 T. Thank you so much for your time and knowledge.

    • Hi,

      Just the bottom? I think that will be beyond my knowledge.
      But I’ll send you my e-mail address, so let’s see what you’ve got.

      Regards,
      Ton

      • Well, it looks like clear glass without any punt whatsoever. That should narrow it down because the vast majority of bottles do have a punt.
        I would say that the tapered bottles VS, VS limited editions, VSOP and VSOP limited editions are the best candidates. A lot of them don’t have a punt. So I don’t think it is mid 1900s, but rather 1980-2000s. Maybe even 2010s although I think these have little dimples instead of ribs around the edge. The letters and numbers could refer to a specific mold form, but this information is not available to the public.
        If a little bit of the lower side is preserved, it would be possible to say it is before or after 2013 when they started the Pininfarina bottle.

        Cheers,
        Ton

  26. Hi,

    I’ve found this bottle, and i tried to find information about it but i just couldn’t.
    Can you give me any info about it?

    Thanks

    • Hello Luka,

      I can’t tell you much about this bottle. I have seen the brand before, but the producer has not yet been tracked down. It is probably made for a distributor somewhere outside the cognac district, around Bergerac. BP is the boîte postal (post office box). You can tell they try very hard not to be traced. It is a realively new brand name that has just started to pop up.
      The name ‘grand sud domaines’ could refer to the area where the vineyards are located, but I don’t know where they are. I only know ´Grands Domaines´, a brand made by ABK6, but it is not very likely that this one was made by ABK6.

      Regards,
      Ton

  27. Hi There Ton, I just bought an early Hennessy hip flask in a charity shop this morning and thought you might like to see it. An amazing survivor I think with labels front and back. Nicely engraved on the cup too. Its 14.3 cm tall. I imagine the original cork………..would you have any idea of its age?? I know nothing about this sort of thing (though I like a glass of armagnac or cognac now and then!!!) but I would guess maybe 1920s??? Do you think it is rare/has any value???

    All the best – amazing website!!!! Jerry Davies (Sweden)

    • Hi,

      This looks like this bottle, which is on the Hennessy page for miniatures, last row of section 1. It was said to be estimated 8cl, but if it is 14.3cm it ‘s more likely to be 15cl…
      I was not be able to date this then and I am not much the wiser now, but pre WW-II is plausible. These are rare, so difficult to put an estamation on it. Probably around €50 but I would not be surprised if it goes for €100 on an auction if in good condition and a good filling level.
      I would love to have a better picture of it to put on my catalog page. I will send an e-mail to facilitate sending a better quality picture.

      Kind regards,
      Ton

  28. Hi Ton,

    I have acquired an empty miniature that I couldn’t see in your pictures, or find mention of in you other pages.
    Producer is G.BESSON, JARNAC, FRANCE,
    imported into Great Britain by G.W.THOMAN LTD., LONDON. I have seen one other example here – http://www.myminibottles.co.uk/generalfulldetails.asp?number=10144

    I attach a photograph of my example.

    I simply hope it is of interest to you and helps your research.

    Kind regards,

    Paul

    • Hello Paul,

      Sorry for the very late reply. I overlooked this message.
      I had seen one other bottle of G. Besson before, but I did not know he was based in Jarnac. So thank you for that. I searched the net again today and found another
      miniature with the date of establishment on it: 1848. That’s all I have.

      Cheers,
      Ton

  29. Ton – Thank you for taking the time to create such a great resource. I’ve a bottle of a ~60s era Martell VSEP that I don’t see represented in your pictures.

    Thanks again!

    Scott

    • Hello Scott,

      Indeed, I do not have this one.
      Is it possible to send me a photo in a bigger format?
      I’ll e-mail you.

      Sincere,
      Ton

  30. Hello Ton!

    What a wonderful website! I have started collecting spirit bottles (empty) on the theme of “old or well travelled”. A springcap Martell pale flask has appeared on ebay that I am interested in (not pristine but there is a story in its age and wear for me). I believe I have matched it up to one in your photo collection to coming from the mid 1950’s onwards (possibly to 1967). I wondered whether you might be able to close the date in a little more from the picture I attach?

    Yours hopefully

    Paul Gosling

    • Hello Paul,

      Thanks for the compliments.
      Your question is a difficult one to answer because these types of bottles seem to have been produced for al long time span. From 1929 till 1967. At some time they stopped with the metal flask holder but I can’t tell you when.

      The claims of dates on the internet (for instance from auctioneer sites) are very often best guesses.

      Cheers,
      Ton

  31. Hello. I am looking for a buyer of Cognac Bache Gabrielsen Le sein De Dieu. Do you know anyone how could be interested? Will be grateful for information.

    Best regards
    Mariusz Zaprawa

    • Sorry, this is not a buy or selling website. You have to find an auction site. Maybe Catawiki or whisky auctioneer?

  32. Have just discovered your wealth if knowledge, quite amazing and tremendous source of information, thanks for the dedication to this.

    I did find my bottle there but not quite as it says and I wanted to check in case I shouldn’t open the bottle. Photo attached, this is probably quite new but the 70 proof I find strange, no doubt bottled for the US market but can you assist with its age and potential value.

    • Hi,

      Indeed, the bottle is a little different from the ones that are on my page. What is the content, I can not decipher it?
      This is a 1960s bottle. 70 Proof is made for the UK market and means it is 40°Alc. On auctions you can expect €60-80 for it. There are online sites that try to sell it for much more, but they wait for months and months and even then they are not easily sold.
      Could you send me a somewhat better photo, so I can read the content and put the bottle up on my page?
      Thanks in advance,
      Ton

  33. Hello Ton,
    I am not sure if you are able to help me, hope so.
    I recently returned from a small island in the Atlantic where one of my sons found a perfectly intact old bottle (empty) of Martell & Co Cognac France, with the numbers 13 S 7 on the underneath of the bottle.
    We had some fun imagining the journey and age of the bottle and hoping you might be able to help on the age, so I attach some photo’s of it.
    Any clues or help would be extremely appreciated and help complete our journey.
    many thanks,
    Nic

  34. Hi

    I recently came across a case of cognac. I can’t find any information about it. I was hoping you might be able to help me.
    I am attaching a picture of the bottle.
    Thank you

    • Very interesting bottle from a time VSOP and Napoléon was sometimes used both on a bottle. I have not seen this one before. It is US import, I would guess from the 1950s, maybe 1960s. It’s worth depends on how many people are willing to bid. Intrinsic value would be around €50, but people are sometimes willing to bid up to €100. Some online shops think they can ask even more…
      I would love to have a picture of the whole bottle.

      Regards,
      Ton

  35. Dear Ton Hendriks,
    The Alimentarium, Food and Nutrition Museum, in Vevey, in Switzerland, is preparing its new temporary exhibition which opens 27th May 2019.
    The exhibition will be dedicated to wine and alcoholic drinks.
    We will exhibit some blow-moulded bottles. In this context, we would be interested in showing this picture : https://cognac-ton.nl/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/05/glass-blowers-cheeks.jpg
    Would you authorize us to use it in our museum ? If yes, could you send to me the picture in HD ?

    If you need more information, please let me know.
    You can as well visit our website http://www.alimen tarium.org/en

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
    Kind regards
    Aude Reymond

    Aude Reymond I Documentation & Archives
    T +41 (0)21 924 23 72
    aude.reymond@alimentarium.org | http://www.alimentarium.org

  36. Greetings Ton.

    I have a bottle (750ml) of D Du Vernon My Lady Cognac.
    I was wondering how much it is worth.
    Cheers
    Rokus

    • I donot know their prices, but the My Lady cognac of Distillerie du Veron is their youngest cognac, so probably anywhere between €25 and €40. It is not very in demand.

  37. Dear Ton,

    My name is Diego and I work for Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange.
    I’ve been a huge fan and constantly use your amazing website for more than a year now.
    We organise the “Cognac Show” in London at the end of April. This is the Second edition of this great show.
    If you could contact me via email please do as I would love to invite as my guest to the event if you are available. Let me know

    Very best
    Diego

  38. Hi Ton,

    Years ago after comprehensive analysis I made final determination to collect some certain Cognac brands as there are nealy 200 of them out there.

    My all of which include: The Big Four, A.E.Dor, Croizet, Delamain, Hine, Gautier, Landy and Louis Royer, in stardard 700ml bottles.

    I searched and checked many websites regarding Cognac collection and knowledge but I have to say, yours is my ultimate favorite website so I can delete others and stop searching others.

    But the “worst” thing is that, I don’t know whether I still keep my hobby in Cognac collecting or just give it up because if you are on a cruising airplane at 10000 meters high while I am looking up at you on the roof of an 80 meters building on the ground. Even when I am satisfied with my Delamain collection and think I am almost there but still, your 10000 meters vs. my 300 meters.

    What to do then? Alright, it’s lunchtime man’s gotta eat.

    Murphy de la Sucre

    • Hi Murphy,

      Nice words, thanks a lot. I hope I did not spoil your appetite in collecting bottles. From my point of view, collecting bottles is more interesting and worthy than making a catalogue of pictures. But like stamp collectors need a catalogue for their stamps, I thought maybe cognac collectors too would find it helpful.
      You wrote that there are nearly 200 brands. There are a lot more. Take a look on the Dutch part to find more names: https://cognac-ton.nl/merken-en-producenten/merken-op-alfabeth/bestaande-merken/.
      And in the tables I have even more names, but these are partly very unknown or obscure and partly brands that do not exist any more.
      But if I may, I would encourage you to carry on with your collection. Since cognacs are getting more expensive every month now, and old cognacs even more so, it could be a good investment. Maybe you have heard of Bay van der Bunt of Oldliquours? His collection is estimated on €1.000.000,-!

      Good luck,
      Ton

      • Do you have e-mail maybe to make some contact.

        I was wondering why not for you to write a book but as you said, the market is small, really? Even in Europe the Cognac collecting is a limited hobby? Lukily there are some fans in the U.S. and Asia (mainly China and Japan). There are only two editions of directory-style Cognac books so far as I know, but they might only reach 6% of your work.

  39. Dear Ton!
    I am happy to find and explore your incredible site, because I have the same passion and prepare now the similar site in Russian (may be, in English too, but, after your brilliant work I can add not too much)). I have some photos of cognacs, which are missed here and will be happy to share them with you. How can I wright or talk to you?
    Best regards,
    Vadim Ushakov

  40. Hi Ton,
    I love your page about cognac. I have found everything I needed to educated myself. Thank you very much for your passion for this unique spirit.

    I have only one question if you know how it was with cognac region and cellars during the second world war? Was it bomed? I have heard the black roofs from the Angel’s share helped to not be demolished. Is it true?

    Thank you very much for your answer.
    Jiri

    • Sorry for my very late reaction. I was a few days on holiday in France.
      Thanks for the compliments.
      Unfortunately I have no information on this particular subject. I have read about it but can not remember who wrote it (may have been Cyril Ray…?).
      The Germans have confiscated a lot of cognacs during the war, that I do know. And the French people did everything they could to hide their stocks.
      But that is all I have got.

      Regards,
      Ton

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