Prunier, cognac merchant in Cognac
Established by Jean Prunier (1665-1732) in La Rochelle.
The date of establishment is unknown (although Max and Sophie of the website Cognac-expert venture to state 1665 as the date of establishment (mind you, that is his date of birth and they are on their own on this). Some of the Prunier labels mention 1769 as date of establishment, but Jean Prunier is trading in cognac as early as 1700. He is succeeded by his son Gabriel Prunier (1711-1790) and his grandson Jean Prunier (1741-1843).
Maison Prunier
François Prunier (1768-1843) started moving the company to the city of Cognac. His son Jean completed this operation and he took up his residence in the Maison de la Lieutenance, what is now known as the oldest existing house in Cognac. In the 18th century they acquired some vineyards in the vicinity of St. Jean d’Angély (although nowadays they do not own any vineyards anymore, according to Paczensky).
Maison de la Lieutenance
François Prunier’s son Jean (1816-1872) had three sons, one of which began his own Prunier company in Australia. Another son went on representing the Prunier firm in England and the third one, Alphonse (1850-1918), took over in France. Alphonse however died childless and his wife called in the help of a cousin, Jean Burnez (1897-1969), who eventually went on to continue the company. After him his son and daughter managed the company. Jean’s son, Claude died in 2011 and his wife Susan (1938-) took over.
The current owner is Stéphane Burnez (1959), son of Claude Burnez.
His daughters Alice and Claire are now also active in the business, since 2016 and 2022, respectively.
Update September 2024: Stéphane has officially retired and Alice is now director.
They produce light and elegant cognacs, very traditional 19th century. No additives.
Gamme: (all blends, unless the Cru is stated): VS, VSOP, VSOP Grande champagne, 10 YO, 20 YO, Family Réserve, XO Grande champagne and Extra Grande champagne.
They make a lot of vintage cognacs. At the moment the following are still available: Fins bois 1985 and 1986, Petite champagne 1977, 1980 and 1991 and Grande champagne 1989 (written in 2014).
Other brands in possession of Prunier or which have been used in the past by Prunier:
- Albert Robin
- Burnez
- Baron, Louis
- Brissac,
- Briand & Co., (successor of Briand-Boutiller-Delaurière)
- Chaligny
- Challant
- Chardon
- Charrier
- Château de Brives
- Cognac de la Distinction
- Cognac du Roy 1840
- Comte de Germignac
- Cordonnier
- Del Sol
- De Beaumont
- De Laroche & Co.
- Delsacq Fils, Aîné & Co.
- Deverney & Co., J.
- Docks, Saint-Jacques
- Drossarc (brandy)
- Dugas & Co., Gaston (a former brand of Briand)
- Dulac & Co., A.
- Duparc & Co., L.
- De Marsy
- Du Roy
- Cordonnier
- Gastine
- Général de Montrandy
- Germain & Co., Jos
- Grand Connoisseur
- Cognac Patriarche
- Hédouard & Cie., Jules (a former brand of Briand)
- Jérôme & Co. (a former brand of Briand)
- Lanquin & Co., E.
- Levarlet & Brillet
- Marett & Co.
- Marlive & Co., Charles
- Marsy, de
- Martin & Co. (a former brand of Briand)
- Martin, H. jeune
- Menorval & Co., H. (nowadays only calvados)
- Oshidori
- Patriarche
- Pouilloux, René
- Pullman & Co., Hy.
- Renaud, Gay & Co.
- Rissac & Co.
- Sauval, Marquis de (nowadays only armagnac)
- Turbot, Ch.
- Yuang Yang
http://www.cognacprunier.fr/
Address: 30 Rue Léonce Laval, 16100 Cognac. Telephone: unknown. Contact by webmail. (No information on visiting available).
Does prunier cognac, in particular XO Grand Champagne contain any additives I.e. caramel, sugar, boise?
Thank you!
According to Conal R. Gregory, they don’t add sugar or caramel. I’m not sure about boisé, but I don’t think so. Why should they. Their cognacs are aged long enough.
Ton
Hello,
is it correct that these bottles are from the 1920s?
Best Regards
Peter
To be honest, I don’t know. Could very well be.
I’ll try to get some information about this bottle.
Super, thank you 🙂
I got some answers back: Prunier self thinks these could be 1920s, but another expert (professional auctioneer) disagrees and thinks they are somewhat later, 1930s probably.
Hi I’ve got a bottle of prunier and I can’t seem to find it anywhere els on the internet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the bottle.
Thanks.
I can’t make out what it says on the label. Could you send me the photo in a larger format? I’ll send you an email to facilitate.
Ton
This is a good photo! These bottles were produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Because 68cl is stated this one is before 1980. The bottles were widely, but not exclusively, sold on the Asian market. Although the VSS is very rare, it has not much worth.