Cognac Report and precise mastery of working with crystal. The vessel boasts the iconic Hennessy shape, and the crystal cabochon tops an 18-carat gold and silver collar. Each decanter is individually numbered and is included in a luxurious gift box. No stranger to the concept of tradition, The House of Frapin was established in 1270 in the southwest of France and to this day uses the image of a quill as an homage to François Rabelais, son of Antoine Rabelais and Anne-Catherine Frapin. The House of Frapin has announced the release of Plume Frapin, made from around twenty eaux-de-vie and produced uniquely from the Ugni Blanc grape variety grown in the 240 hectares of vineyard around the Château Fontpinot, as the latest in its continuing tribute its ancestors. This Premier Cru Cognac (100% Grande Champagne) has been aged for over 60 years in hundred-year-old barrels in order to allow its perfect balance to develop, and has since been stored in the Pierre Frapin cellars. On tasting, this cognac reveals notes of candied fruits (oranges, apricots and figs) and liquorice, while its strong and complex bouquet reveals woody aromas in the mouth, reflecting its vivid amber color. To celebrate its prestigious origins, the
pers, Plume Frapin has been produced in a limited series of just 500 numbered bottles. “Plume Frapin, and indeed all of our cognacs, are supreme quality products coming only from our vineyard,” says Jean-Pierre Cointreau, CEO of Cognac Frapin. “This allows us to control every step of the production process from the vineyard to the bottle.” Frapin is concentrating on Asia, Europe and North America when it comes to duty free, and Cointreau tells us that a recent award for the best cognac tasted at the International Spirits Competition in July has helped create a buzz around the brand. To learn more about Plume Frapin, as well as the company’s other products, Cognac Frapin invites attendees to the year’s TFWA WE to visit its stand at Blue Village AA5.
Recognition from one’s peers Indeed, recognition from spirits industry experts is inarguably just as important as tradition when it comes to building buzz around a brand, and Louis Royer has had an exceptional year when it comes to awards and accolades. Louis Royer Force 53, a relatively new expression that comes in a compact 500ml bottle in a very contemporary metal mesh canister,
medal at the third annual Challenge to the Best French Wines and Spirits for Asia. Since its launch in 2006, Louis Royer Extra has received more than 10 Gold medals, including the 2011 trophy at the prestigious Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, a fitting testament to the quality of this very special liquid. Philippe Pichetto, Louis Royer Export Manager – Americas, tells us that the company is keeping the momentum high, having recently appointed Anthony Rocher and Jennifer Manez as Brand Ambassadors based in New York. “They’ve done tastings and/or trainings in over 20 airport and border store outlets in the region over the past year,” he explains. And in terms of securing listings, Pichetto tells us that Haleybrooke International, Louis Royer’s duty free agent in the Americas, is moving forward aggressively, having secured “many new listings in the market.” “Canadian duty free has always been a good market for Louis Royer,” explains Roger Thompson, Vice President of Haleybrooke International. “Our business continues to expand, with new airport and border shop listings. We’re expecting that 2013 will be our best year to date for Louis Royer in Canada.” Finally, President of Haleybrooke International Patrick Nilson adds that consumers in Asia are just as enamored with the brand as the judges of spirits competitions seem to be: “Louis Royer Cognac is very strong in China, so our business has grown very quickly in the last two years with outlets that have Chinese traffic. Sales of XO and Extra have been especially strong.”
Targeting travelers
Louis Royer XO (pictured) has been selling well in Asia, and Louis Royer Extra recently won a Gold medal at the third annual Challenge to the Best French Wines and Spirits for Asia
house of Frapin chose to give this cuvee a presentation worthy of a fine jewel—an elegant carafe, unique in form and adorned with two quills on its sides and topped with an ornate stopper featuring two more interlaced quills in rose golden pewter with 18 carat rose gold. Marking a truly rare find for travel retail shop124
recently secured a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). Also at the SFWSC this year, Louis Royer XO and Louis Royer Extra both received Gold medals. In fact, Louis Royer Extra is also making waves in Asia, having this year won a Gold
AMERICAS DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING OCTOBER 2013
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Just as Louis Royer and Haleybrooke International, Dobbé Cognac tells Americas Duty Free that it understands the importance of the travel retail channel. As a result, the company has created a special Duo Pack aimed at travelers that will be sold specifically in airport duty free stores. The pack contains two 500mL bottles, one VS and one VSOP. Dobbé will be premiering Dobbé Cognac owns its own vineyard and distillery, and boasts a large stock of aged eaux-de-vie, setting the brand apart from many other Cognacs
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