Spirits / Cognac / Pierre Vaudon

Cognac Pierre Vaudon

Échallat, Charente
One of the newer additions to our spirits book, Pierre Vaudon is the maitre de chai of the house at the small yet highly-respected Grande Champagne négociant Francois Voyer (whose cognacs are also now part of our portfolio). I first came across Voyer in 2005 when I was looking for a well-aged cognac for a cognac club in San Francisco. Almost 10 years later on a trip to the region I was able to taste through a good deal of barrels, guided by Pierre Vaudon himself, in their chai, and left feeling intrigued by Voyer's cognacs.

In 2016, I visited Voyer again and this time had lunch with Pierre Vaudon. During the meal, he told me that he grew up on a farm in the Fins Bois and that his father had been distilling for négociant houses for the past 40 years. Recently, Pierre and his wife Marie had also begun stocking some of the production on the property in Échallat, about 15 kilometers outside Jarnac. Excited at potentially adding a producer from the Fins Bois (until then missing from the spirits book), I made arrangements to see him at the property the following evening.​

​I was very impressed with what I encountered: two functioning stills, a clean cellar, and organized barrel rooms. Some of their releases were blends of Fins Bois and Grande Champagne (where the family also has vineyards). I tasted from several barrels of 2014 that had not yet been reduced or in any way adulterated and I realized that I had found my Fins Bois producer!

Domaine Vaudon Cognac Fins Bois NV
Made from 100% Ugni Blanc and aged in new oak, then bottled at 43% ABV. With its forward fruit, round texture and pure, spicy length, it is an excellent introduction to the Fins Bois region. Forward floral, apple and citrus zest notes provide intrigue on the nose. Subtle flavors of plum, toffee, chocolate and vanilla expand across the palate and converge on a highly pleasing and surprisingly long finish.  A great entry-level cognac.