Croizet Bottle Catalog (last updated: Apr 19, 2021)

(264 bottles, only half bottles and up; but still more exist)

Introduction

Croizet was established by Léon Croizet in 1805 in Saint Même les Carrière.
When J. Eymard married Léonie Croizet, he brought a large stock of old cognacs into the family as his dowry.
The emblem they use on their bottles can usually be found on the main label or on a shoulder blob, sometimes in colour, but often plain. Only some exceptions, notably the ‘Bonaparte’ bottles have a different emblem with an eagle and the letter B:

 

Often the name ‘B.L. Croizet’ is stated. Benjamin Léon Croizet was a very influencial winegrower who played an important rol in the struggle against phyloxera and who recieved – besides many other medals – the medaille d’honneur.
They have made some other blends but the better qualities were almost always ‘fine champagne’, a blend of grande and petite champagne. Only in the 20th century they have switched to producing predominantly grande champagne cognacs.
When there was a ban on vintage cognacs from 1962 till 1987 – because of the many frauds that were around – Croizet was one of a few brands that was exempted from this ban. Like Hine and Delamain they too have made quite a few vintages.

Table of contents:

1. Stars and fine cognac
2. Bonaparte
3. VS
4. VSOP
5. VSVP
6. Napoléon
7. XO
8. Extra
9. Age Inconnu
10. X years old
11. Vintages
12. Limited editions and specials
13. Decanters
14. Porcelain, canons and barrels
15. Magnums

1. Stars and fine cognac

3 stars:

With cognac Croizet stated on the capsule With 40° stated (1950s) With 0,70l stated on the lower lef Italian import, G.&L. Fratelli Cora, Torino; 750cc stated

Fine cognac without three stars:

0,70l and 40° stated, fine cognac (no stars stated) 0,70l and 40%vol stated, fine cognac (no stars stated) High 'D' stated on the lower left (1960s) High 'D' stated on the lower left (1960s), with a paper duty seal on top

750cc stated, Italian import, G.&L. Fratelli Cora, Torino (1960-70s)

2. Bonaparte

Bonaparte in a cognaçaise Bonaparte in a Normande (around 1940) Bonaparte in a Normande, without the text at the lower edge of the label; and with an Italian metal seal (est before WW-II) 24 FL.OZ. stated (blob possibly fell of) 24 FL.OZ. stated, with blob

0.70l and 40° stated 0.70L and 40° stated 40° stated, content not stated (est 1950-60s) 40° stated, content not stated, different cap No ABV and no content stated; the blob on the shoulder is empty (probably fallen off) No ABV and no content stated; with an address line underneath 40° stated on the right; Swiss import by Ernest Favre, Geneve. 40° stated on the right side; Französisches Erzeugnis 40 ans d'age (by some estimated 1920's, I think 1960s))

3. VS

VS (2019, for European market)

70cl VS cognac 700ml VS cognac 70cl VS grande champagne

VS cognac VS very special VS, appellation cognac controlée VS fine cognac (2019, for EU and Asian markets) 750ml Very special (2019, for US market)

4. VSOP

Old cognaçaise bottle Rhôdanienne (Rhône) type bottle

‘dumpy’ bottles (1960-70s):

Blob with wax emblem; 'cognac fine champagne'; 40° statedBlob with wax emblem; 'cognac fine champagne'; 40° stated; with a paper duty seal Blob with wax emblem; 'cognac fine champagne'; 40° stated and produce of France Blob with wax emblem; 'cognac fine champagne'; 40° stated and produce of France; paper duty seal VSOP in the blob; 'cognac fine champagne' stated; 40° 40° stated on the left side VSOP in the blob; 'cognac fine champagne' stated; 70Proof stated, crimped cap (1969) Paper emblem in the blob; 'cognac fine champagne'; 0.70L stated on the left and 40° on the right Paper emblem in the blob; 'cognac fine champagne'; 0.70L and 40° on the right Paper emblem in the blob; 'cognac'; 40%vol stated on the left and 70cl on the right; Französisches Erzeugnis Paper emblem in the blob; 'cognac'; 0,70l stated on the left and 40%vol on the right; different cap Paper emblem in the blob; 'cognac'; 0,70l stated high on the left and 40%vol high on the right; Asian import Produce of France and 70° proof stated; said to be 26 oz at auction Asian import, 'cognac'; 700ml stated on the back  Different emblem in blob (paper?); 'cognac'; 0,70l left and 40%vol right Different emblem in blob; 'cognac'; 0,70l left and 40%vol right; Asian sticker

Grande reserve:

VSOP grande reserve aquavite di vino With a paper duty seal on top (est. 1970s) VSOP grande reserve brandy with a paper duty seal and importer data underneath VSOP grande reserve brandy with a paper duty seal and importer data underneath and additional text on the capsule

Normande bottles:

Italian import for Fratelli Cora, Torino; with aquavite di vino stated  Italian import for Fratelli Cora, Torino; with aquavite di vino stated; paper duty seal on top   750cc, Italian import for Fratelli Cora, Torino; with aquavite di vino stated lower, were the importer data are 750cc, Italian import for Fratelli Cora, Torino; with aquavite di vino "cognac" stated

Modern cognaçaise:

70cl With a paper duty seal

Carafe:

750ML and 40%ALC/VOL stated70cl and 40%vol stated

Carafe with white rectangular label:

70cl and 40%Vol stated and a signature below the label 700ml and 40%ALC/VOL stated  750ml and 40%ALC/VOL stated and no signature below the label (USA and Asian market) On the neck is an emblem; 700ml and 40%ALC/VOL stated and a signature on the label itself

Carafe with white rectangular label, VSOP GOLD:

70cl and 40%Vol stated and a signature below the label 70cl and 40%Vol stated and GOLD also stated on the label; no signature 700ml and 40%Vol stated and GOLD also stated on the label; no signature With new type of emblem (2021); dubbed 'Red VSOP'

Carafe with white trapezoidal labels:

70cl, red and white neck 35cl, neck is red

Carafe with yellow and silver crossed stripes:

Grande champagne, red neck For EU market, grande champagne, 700ml stated on the box

Flask:

35cl VSOP

5. VSVP

15 years old VSVP, 4/5 quart; Ficker Linz New York VSVS, 4/5 quart; Fromm & Sichel, New York VSVP, 4/5 quart; Metropolitan Liquor, Milwaukee (1970s)

6. Napoleon

6a. dumpy bottles:

Red and white capsule, Croizet in a separate square; emblem in wax Red and white capsule, Croizet in a separate square; emblem in wax in different colours Red and white capsule; paper emblem Red and white capsule; Asian import Napoleon on the shoulder; copper coloured capsule; 70cl and 40° stated 70cl and 40°; Croizet not in a separate square 70cl and 40°; Hong Kong import (see back side)  Napoleon with vsop stated on the label; 40° stated 40%vol stated on the left and and 70cl on the right; with a back label 70cl stated on the left and 40%vol on the right; with a stamp 70cl stated differently; 40%vol. stated 70cl stated differently; 40%vol. stated and an Asian sticker on the neck and on the back 40%vol stated on the left and and 70cl on the right, both a bit higher; newer type of capsule; without a back label 70cl stated on the left and 40%vol on the right; newer type of capsule

6b. Carafes:

70cl 70cl, Import Culinaria Monopole, Hilden; with a recycling symbol on the back Asian import, no content or ABV stated on the front

6c. Other:

35cl Asian import

7. XO

70cl XO Réserve

70cl XO Age Inconnu  XO Age Inconnu, no content or ABV stated 70cl stated on the back of the neck XO Age Inconnu, content and ABV stated on the box; Import Culinaria Monopole, Hilden; with a recycling symbol on the back  70cl stated on the back of the neck; Asian import 70cl stated on the front; Asian import 750ml stated; different capsule

70cl XO Héritage

70cl XO, directly below XO it says: appellation cognac controlée 70cl XO, directly below XO it says: cognac grande champagne 70cl XO, round label, modern stopper 70cl XO, glod coloured neck (Asian and US bottle) New type of emblem (2021), dubbed 'Red XO' 70cl XO, different neck; European bottle same as previous but back side is different same as previous but back side is different

70cl XO Gold 70cl XO Golden Collection 70cl XO Golden collection in gold bottle (Asian import) 70cl Golden collecton in gold bottle, HKDNP stated 750ml XO Golden Collection in golden bottle

375ML XO flask

8. Extra

70cl Extra 70cl Extra with a paper duty seal 70cl Extra without paper label 70cl Extra, with adornment on in the neck (Asian and European market, 2019) In stead of Premier Cru it now has 'Permier Cru de Cognac' stated

9. Age Inconnu

Age Inconnu 700ml Age Inconnu with a gold coloured cap

Age Inconnu, no back label, no content or ABV stated No text With 40° stated, no back label With 40° stated and with a back label: Belgian import, Bruxelles With 40° stated and with a back label: Französisches Erzeugnis 750cc stated, Italian import 40%vol. stated; on the back: 70cl, 40%vol; import for Le Classique (Private) LTD, Singapore 700ml stated, Asian import XO in the shoulder blob; 40%vol stated and a number 40%vol stated, no number, with a back label 40%vol stated, no number and the text left below is left off; 70cl stated on the back, Singapore import 40%vol stated and a number, with a sticker on the back: Französisches Erzeugnis

10. x Years old

20 years old grande fine champagne 70cl 25 ans; Dutch import by Hosman Vins, Schiedam (1987) 50 ans 50 ans with filigrane 50 ans with filigrane and paper duty seal

 

11. Vintages

Fine champagne, récolte 1800 Réserve Royale 1811 (grande fine cuvée?) Fine champagne, récolte 1830 bottled 1930s (est.) Fine champagne, récolte 1830, with produce of France stated; bottled 1930s (est.) 1842, terroir not stated Fine champagne, récolte 1865 bottled 1930s (est.) 1848 Reserve Royale Cognac fine champagne, récolte 1875 bottled 1930s (est.) 1875 cognac fine champagne 1875, bottled 1954 1875 Chateau de Flaville  1875 grande fine champagne, Chateau de Flaville 1875 cognac fine champagne, Chateau de Flaville, cognaçaise 1875 grande fine champagne, Reserve Royale 1894 Réserve Royale, dumpy bottle 1894 Réserve Royale, dumpy bottle, newer 1906 fine champagne cognac, dumpy bottle (est. 1950-60s) 1906 fine champagne cognac, dumpy bottle; label is more green and has a few 'B'-s missing (est. 1950-60s) 1906 (wax has come off); not stated on the capsule! 1906 fine champagne cognac 1914 fine champagne cognac 1914 fine champagne cognac; shoulder blob without golden line 1914 grande reserve vintage cognac, tapered bottle 1914 grande reserve vintage cognac, tapered bottle; with 70° Proof and 'not less than 24 FL.OZ' stated (est. 1950s) Without a shoulder blob (est. 1950s) 1914 fine champagne cognac; dumpy bottle 1928 fine champagne cognac Much more letters with a brighter green colour 1928 grande reserve vintage cognac, tapered bottle 1928 grande reserve vintage cognac, tapered bottle; with 70° Proof and 'not less than 24 FL.OZ' stated (est. 1960s) With a shoulder blob

1935 vintage; 1805-2005 bicentenaire 1940 vintage; 1805-2005 bicentenaire 1942 vintage; 1805-2005 bicentenaire 1947 vintage; 1805-2005 bicentenaire

1936 Borderies, bottled in 1997 1938 fins bois 1942 1944 petite champagne 1951 1961 With an Asian sticker on the neck and on the back 1963 grande champagne, with a date of bottling on the right below 1963 grande champagne, without a date of bottling stated 1967 1967 with a Japanese sticker 1970 single vintage 1970 single vintage, split up label 1972 single vintage 1973 single vintage 1975 single vintage 1978 single vintage 1980 single vintage 1984 single vintage 1985 single vintage 1988 single vintage 1989

12. Limited editions and specials

Fine champagne Grande fine champagne

No further information Chateau de Flaville, cognaçaise; 45 ans (est. 1930-40s) Cognac fine champagne, Chateau de Flaville (est. 1940s) Chateau de Flaville, dumpy bottle (1950s) Chateau de Flaville, normande bottle (1950s) Chateau de Flaville, normande bottle with a paper duty seal on top (1950s)

Cuvée 1889 Cuvée 1889 with a duty medal Cuvée 989 Cuvée Langham London; made for the London restaurant Cuvée Légion d'Honneur 1883 Cuvée Léonie, 1858 vintage

Réserve Royale Réserve de l'Esquinade, 47° grande fine champagne Selectionné par Pierre & Jean Troigras (for their restaurant)

Réserve des Héritiers Croizet, dumpy bottle (est. 1930s) Réserve des Héritiers (1896) Réserve des Héritiers Croizet 0.7L Réserve des Héritiers Croizet 0.7L, more colour in the blob Réserve des Héritiers Croizet 0.7L, newer blob

Black Legend, no content or abv stated (70cl) Blacl Legend, 700ml and 40%alc/vol stated Black Legend, 750ml and 40%alc/vol stated

13. Decanters

Selection Fine champagne decanter Fine champagne decanter with a paper duty seal fine champagne, no abv stated and different cap (est. 1950s) Vintage 1860 bottled 1997 (no neck label with Reserve Particuliere) Réserve Pariculiere, vintage 1860 bottled 1998 1894 Vintage, stated on the label and on the box Same decanter, no box present; US import; probably 1894 vintage was stated on the box

Réserve Particulière Réserve Particulière, no paper label Réserve Particilière on a foot; cognac fine champagne Réserve Particulière on a foot, with a capsule Réserve Particulière; with a capsule Réserve Particulière; different stopper and with a paper duty seal

14. Porcelain, canons and barrels

700ml Napoléon, blue porcelain 700ml Napoléon, white porcelain with a sticker on the back No filigrane and with a different sticker on the back Napoleon (1970s) Napoleon, better colours, higher pedestal With a cross on his chest; hand painted in Italy (1972)

Canon, napoleon

70cl Napoleon barrel  Different barrel

 

15. Magnums

1.5L (not stated), 40° is stated (1960) 1.5L magnum, more colour in label, blob slightly different; 40° stated Bonaparte, cognac fine champagne; big bottle (content not stated) 1.5L Bonaparte, cognac fine champagne 4.5L VSOP (1950s) 3L VSOP fine champagne Magnum VSOP 150cl modern vsop

1.5L (not stated) Reserve Royale (1960s) 3L 1848 vintage 2.5L 1906 vintage 2.25L ( Marie-Jeanne) 1906 vintage (1950s) 1.5L 1906 vintage 3L (maybe only 2.5L) 1914 vintage (1960s) 1.5L 1914 (1960s) I don't think this one is genuine, looks a fraud to me (1.5L)

VSOP in cradle (70cl?) 3L VSOP in cradle Napoleon in cradle (content not stated)

Reacties

Croizet bottle catalog — 8 reacties

  1. Dear reader,

    After my father passed away, I received a bottle of Cognac Croizet from 1942. I have already done a lot of research on the internet but cannot find this year anywhere. We do experience that they can be very expensive bottles. The bottle has always stood upright. That is why I would like to ask you if you can tell me more about the value and / or authenticity.
    My thanks are big, C.W.

    Antwoorden ↓

    • Hello C.W.

      Looks like a very nice bottle. There are not many vintages from the war years.
      The price is rather difficult to determine. You can for instance buy a Coizet 1928 vintage already for around €700-800. So €500 seems a good price. But people are trying to get much more. If you look for it you’ll find online shops where they ask over a €1.000 for a 1930 or 1940s vintage, sometimes much more. The problem of course is to get such a price for your bottle. And though the years 1941 and 1942 have not brought us much vintages (I know of Frapin, Hine, Prunier and Rolland), that doesn’t really add to the value.
      You seem to have a Dutch e-mailaddress so if you want to try to sell your bottle, I would advice the Catawiki.nl website. Consult the auctioneer (hopefully Emile Smits), discuss the estimate and put a reserve price on it.

      I hope this helps.
      By the way, I would love to get a photo of the bottle in full for my website. I hope you will oblige and I’ll send you an e-mail to facilitate this.
      Ton

      Antwoorden ↓

  2. Hello,
    Can you estimate the price of the bottle?
    Grande Fine champagne
    reserve Royal 1848
    B.Leon Croizet
    100 years
    With a wooden box, 2 cups and a certificate

    Thanks in advance
    Happy holiday
    Stay healthy

    Antwoorden ↓

    • It is not so easy to put a date on these botles. For instance, I have seen this bottle on an auction, stating it is a 1960s, but on the back side it had the governmental warning on it and also an ean code!!
      I really think this is a 1990s bottle.
      The worth is not high. Even the so called 1960s bottle was sold for ony 26 English pound.
      €30-40 looks right.

      Antwoorden ↓

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