What You Need To Know About Tesseron Cognac, Plus 5 Bottles To Try
The cognac house continues its tradition of creating exquisite expressions with an ever-lasting taste of body, elegance and finesse that continue to win fans over.
Tesseron Cognac is a name synonymous with high-end cognacs, being a house that exclusively produces XOs (aged for a minimum of 10 years) and beyond. It's a vision that started in 1905, when founder Mr. Abel Tesseron started collecting rare and priceless expressions from two prestigious appellations—Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne. These are the two regions in Cognac where the finest grapes are grown and used to make this fine spirit.
Tesseron's massive collection of eaux-de-vie (conserved in the maison's 12th century crypt) became the foundation of the house's esteemed collection of cognacs, as featured in the classic and signature series.
What makes a Tesseron Cognac different from the others? Apart from being one of the last houses to continue using the three original grape varieties (ugni blanc, folle blanche and colombard), the house's master blenders let the eaux-de-vie mature in Limousin oak casks for two to three generations to create an explosion of aromatic flavours and a delectably smooth finish.
Celebrating the brand, we at The Tatler Bar offer four of Tesseron's best and most exclusive varietals available now.
Tesseron Cognac Extreme Rare Cognac
This is arguably one of the cognac house's most prized expressions, as it's a combination of 10 eaux-de-vie from Abel Tesseron's private collection—the oldest being from 1853. It's aged for over three generations in the prized Limousin oak casks, which explains its complex notes that start as velvety and supple on the palate and deepen with rancio notes (due to its long ageing process) and intense finish. It's a bottle worth preserving for special occasions.
Ideal as gifts for loved ones (or for yourself!), the XO Tresor is made up of around 100 eaux-de-vie that were selected for their characteristics of finesse, richness and length. Before bottling, the expression is aged over two generations in tierçons (special barrels) within the Tesseron family's Paradis, where the oldest cognacs are kept. This gives the cognac its distinct characteristics of rich and bold notes that culminate with a smooth and long finish.
Tesseron Cognac Lot 29 XO Exception
The crème de la crème of the Tesseron lots available is a blend of house's oldest and rarest eaux-de-vie that have been aged for three generations. That said, this expression has won many awards over the years, including The Spirits Business Awards 2010 and Wine Enthusiast, thanks to its perfect balance of power and finesse, topped with delicious notes of chocolate, mocha and floral aromas.
Tesseron Cognac Lot 53 XO Perfection
The Lot 53 is an ensemble of Tesseron's most exquisite stocks of Grand Champagne, made with a mix of ugni blanc and folle blanche grapes that's been aged in Limousin oak casks for more than two generations. Each sip leaves a sweet taste of plums, figs and chocolate that's followed by a refreshing and silky finish.
Tesseron Cognac Composition (Fine Champagne)
Composition is the maison’s first non-XO cognac, created by third-generation owner Alfred Tesserron and master blender Romain Martial using the finest “crus” of Grande and Petite Champagne (otherwise known as Fine Champagne). Each sip provides a beautiful mix of fresh, elegant, suave and aromatic flavours, enriched with layers of apricot, vine flower and delicate spices.