Spirit Of The Week: Bisquit & Dubouché X.O. Cognac
The venerable French Maison makes its way to American shores with a fruit-forward aged cognac.
Over two centuries ago (1819 to be exact) a cognac born of innovation was founded by twin forward-thinking Frenchmen, Alexandre Bisquit and Adrien Dubouché. Its preference by celebrities like Joséphine Baker quickly grew the label (then known simply as Bisquit Cognac) into France’s third most exported cognac by the late 1800s.
While the Maison followed tradition by using only copper pot stills to double distill their eau de vie from November to March, their method of retaining more heart of the distillate set them apart from their Gaul contemporaries.
Relying on patience born of decades of knowledge, their distillers would cut the tails only by hand at the very end of the process — a technique made possible by continuously tasting and smelling the clear liquid to guarantee it captured Bisquit & Dubouché’s signature notes high in floral and fruity aromas. Think a nose of rose, dried apricot and muscat grape, with flavors of honey, fig and dark fruits.
In 2020 Dubouché’s influence was noted and the name became Bisquit & Dubouché — and now two years later is breaking into the US market focused on California, Texas and Florida with its flagship V.S.O.P. ($59) and high-end halo X.O ($180) cognacs.
With a slew of awards already under its belt—V.S.O.P and limited-edition Bisquit Interlude won Gold “outstanding” medals at the 2018 International Wines and Spirits Challenge; 93 points (VSOP) and 94 points (XO) in the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Double Gold Medal and “Cognac VSOP of the Year” at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition; and Double Gold medal at the 2021 SFWSC Awards, among others—Bisquit & Dubouché hopes to make quick inroads.
“Bisquit & Dubouché’s progressive spirit is a direct reflection of its founders,” vows Vincent Chappe, the Ambassadeur Global de la Maison. “Since its inception the house has pioneered an approach audacious in its simplicity: instinct, patience, and a singular appreciation for the craft behind cognac making. As we announce this historic introduction to the U.S. market, cognac connoisseurs and novices alike can relate to this story of bold determination and appreciate its distinctive taste.”
As a result, Bisquit & Dubouché unveils a smooth aromatic bouquet, with floral notes of rose, dried apricot, muscat grape; followed by a persistent taste broadly described as fruity with subdued smoothness to its profile and with specific notes of honey, fig and dark fruits. $200
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