Cognacton english

Merlet, distillery in Saint-Sauvant

In 1850, Firmin Merlet installed an alambic in Saint-Sauvant, but the family had been active in viticulture before that. By the mid-20th century, Merlet was very well regarded. Then the economy deteriorated, and when Gilles Merlet took over the reins in 1970, he decided on an experiment. He uprooted part of the vines and placed blueberries in their place, with which he made Cassis de Saintonge Boissé. This was very successful and he started focusing more and more on liqueurs.
His two sons Pierre and Luc are both also active in the business. They expanded with a second distillery in Chérac (17 Rue de la Croix Blanche, the distillery formerly owned by ABC, a cognac producer that made the ABC and Amitié brands of cognac).

They still make only one cognac: Brothers Blend, a blend of 4-12-year-old cognacs from fins bois, petite champagne and grande champagne. The name Brothers Blend refers to the two brothers who make the cognac.

Dec 2015 update: I recently came across the Le Maître brand which is also from Merlet. It is fins bois cognac and comes in VSOP, VSOP and XO grades. This brand is sold at least in Poland.

Update May 2016: for a few years now, Merlet has been producing a new cognac: Sélection Saint Sauvant.

Update April 2019: For a few years now, Merlet has been producing more cognac varieties again. The range is now: VS, VSOP, Brothers Blend, XO, Sélection Saint Sauvant, Exclusive Cognac (all blends).

http://www.merlet.fr/
Address: 40 Rue de Chevessac, 17610 Saint Sauvant. Telephone: 0546 930056. (No information available on visits).