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eritage brands often revisit their rich histories in order to showcase exquisite craftsmanship. Over the last few years, Jaguar has celebrated 80 years of sports cars, Cartier has honoured a century of the panther and Smythson has marked more than 120 years of luxury stationery. Next in line is Courvoisier; two centuries have passed since the luxury cognac brand’s inception. Founded by the mayor of Bercy, Louis Gallois, and Emmanuel Courvoisier in 1809, the business flourished and it was subsequently named official supplier to Emperor Napoleon III’s Imperial Court. The reputation of Courvoisier continued to blossom and it became synonymous with the decadence of the Parisian Golden Age, a time that has provided inspiration for the company’s glamorous new redesign.
Courvoisier became synonymous with the decadence of the Parisian Golden Age Scientific innovations, technological breakthroughs and the artistic elite transformed this era into a celebration of optimism, which suited the ethos of Courvoisier. The Lumière brothers pioneered cinema; the term haute couture was coined; cabaret came to the Moulin Rouge; Folies Bergère prospered with the advent of electricity; and the Renault brothers and André Citroën spearheaded the rise of the French automobile industry. In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair and became a symbol of the joie de vivre and rich cultural expansion of the Belle Époque. At the opening of this landmark, guests from around the world came together in celebration, including inventor Thomas Edison, actress Sarah Bernhardt, the Prince of Wales and Gustave Eiffel himself. And the tipple of choice for such an illustrious occasion? You guessed it – Courvoisier. Now, more than a century later, the cognac brand has revisited the Eiffel Tower to commemorate this exciting era with the launch of the limited-edition Célébration Sensorielle gift sets. Taking cognac lovers on an aromatic expedition through Paris, they feature one of two expressions: the Courvoisier Initiale Extra, which combines flavours of old port wine with truffle and hot fruitcake, and the Courvoisier Initiale XO, which harmonises vanilla and crème brûlée notes with candied orange and iris flower. The former comes with two scented candles and the latter with two scented cones, both of which have been crafted to complement and enhance the notes of the cognac and act as an unforgettable sensory experience. Courvoisier called on scent technician Ericka Duffy and perfumer Euan McCall to create fragrances that capture 24 hours in Belle Époque Paris: Brise de Vincennes (the breeze from Vincennes) and Nuit Débordante (heady night). Each has in its heartnote a cognac accord that binds the concept back to Courvoisier. “It was extremely important to not only capture the spirit of moments of the Belle Époque era,”
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explains Duffy “but also to pay respect to the cognac itself.” Thanks to in-depth research around the period, Duffy managed to capture historical elements of smell and taste to complement the cognac samples. “For the daytime scent, for example, we looked at the rise of café culture, expositions, world fairs and more. We looked at the new aromas that would have been infusing the era – such as coffee beans, tobacco, exotic flowers and leather luggage.” The scent draws on all the aromas that made Paris so charming in the daytime, when locals would meet in outdoor cafés to sip cognac and watch the world go by. With dusk descending, the second fragrance conjures up the glamour and intrigue of the city after dark. “For the nighttime scent, we looked at aromas of tobacco, candied orange and patchouli.” Set on making the redesign as authentic as possible, Courvoisier’s creative team undertook immersive visits to Paris in order to help shape the brand’s new direction. Reflective of the creativity of the Parisian Golden Age, the team uncovered design inspiration throughout the city. Details taken from architecture of the era, including the unique steel structure of the Eiffel Tower, are gracefully intertwined to produce striking packaging. It doesn’t stop there. As part of Courvoisier’s transformation, the brand is launching signature cocktails and a bespoke tour through Paris. The latter takes guests past some of the French capital’s most famous landmarks, including the Pont Alexandre III, the Lavirotte building and SaintGermain-des-Prés. It provides cognac enthusiasts with the chance to explore the influential art, architecture, innovation and science of the late 1800s, as well as Courvoisier’s role during the period. But if a trip to Paris is not on your agenda this festive season, you will be just as contented with a journey to somewhere equally glamorous – Courvoisier’s Golden Age. A swig of cognac and a scent of Paris is all it takes. Célébration Sensorielle Initiale Extra, RSP £397, is available at Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Hedonism. Célébration Sensorielle XO, RSP £190, is available at Harvey Nichols and Hedonism. Pricing will vary, check with retailer for details.
THE CITY MAGAZINE | November 2015
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