To celebrate its bicentenary, the iconic cognac house will be auctioning an exceptional dame-jeanne, L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire, a blend of five of its historic eaux-de-vie, decorated by the Goossens goldsmiths. Other initiatives are on the agenda…
Delamain cognac celebrates its 200th anniversary in style.
For the occasion, the House founded in 1824 in Jarnac (Charente), expert in the production of exceptional cognacs from the Grande Champagne region, is offering a historic blend, L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire, and a partnership with the esteemed goldsmith Goossens… But also a whole series of initiatives designed to leave a lasting impression.
L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire, the central element of this fittingly celebrated anniversary, is available in a 10-litre dame-jeanne, which will be sold at auction, as well as in 200 bottles, offered in a highly selective specialized circuit.
A blend of five historic eaux de vie
The contents (“a harmonious cognac in which 200 years of history are told”) of Dame Jeanne are enhanced by the container, decorated by Maison Goossens. The 200 bottles are adorned with a medallion, also by Goossens.
To create this legendary cognac, five eaux-de-vie were brought together, each selected and matured by one of the last five generations of the Delamain family, before being blended by the House’s last two cellar masters, Dominique Touteau and Charles Braastad, son of Alain Braastad, representing the ninth generation of Delamain.
This latest exceptional collaboration marks the handover between Dominique Touteau, Maître de Chai from 1992 to his handover in 2024, and Charles Braastad, who joined the House in 1996 and was inducted as Maître de Chai last March.
According to RVI (Revue Vinicole Internationale), Delamain’s recognition as one of the most iconic Houses in the world of great spirits is linked to the “particularly precise and demanding criteria” it imposes on the creation of its cognacs: “using exclusively eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne, the only premier cru in Cognac, producing only very old cognacs (X.O. and above), or using faibles (low-degree cognacs, editor’s note) to reduce the alcohol content of its blends”.
A special year
This is obviously a very special year for Maison Delamain, as we look back on two centuries of enlightened ideas, creative passion for the natural world and obsessive determination to produce unrivalled cognacs,” said Eric Le Bouar, Maison Delamain’s General Manager. We are grateful to past generations, to the men and women who have patiently preserved and passed on their know-how and their most precious eaux-de-vie. Today, as in the past, Nature, Time and People are at the heart of everything we do, and the most exquisite cognacs still await us.”
Founded in the early 1950s by Robert Goossens,Coco Chanel’s favorite goldsmith and jeweler, Maison Goossens was acquired in 2005 by Paraffection, the fine crafts subsidiary of the famous fashion house. Since then, it has continued to cultivate its style, which combines extremely precise craftsmanship with the evocation of the wonders of nature, through unique decorative objects, hammered, patinated and adorned with stones.
The decoration of the Dame Jeanne from L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire de Delamain is itself a veritable masterpiece, the fruit of craftsmanship that, like the Maitres de chai, excels in the art of assembly and precision.
The 245 pieces that make it up have been shaped individually, in a seven-stage process. Each piece was sculpted by hand, “the molds meticulously shaped by hand, to obtain the exact shape and texture in brass. Once the pieces had been finely gilded, they were soldered together to unite them in a harmonious naturalistic masterpiece,” explains RVI.
Gala dinner and auction
In a nod to the Delamain family, whose forebears included the distinguished ornithologist Jacques Delamain (1874-1953), the decoration features two birds, a drake thrush and a linnet, both regular visitors to the Grande Champagne vineyards.
The Rare Bicentennial Edition was presented to VIPs from all over the world at a gala dinner in Jarnac on September 11th and 12th.
The L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire dame-jeanne will be auctioned online by international auction house Bonhams from November 19 to December 6. It is estimated at between €100,000 and €200,000. The buyer of this exceptional bottle will also receive a 70 cl bottle, complete with a pipette designed and decorated by Goossens. But they will also have access to an exclusive experience: a two-day immersion in Jarnac, in the company of three guests of their choice.
200 bottles
“As a pioneer in the spirits auction market, Bonhams is honoured to offer one of the rarest and most incredible cognacs ever produced,” said Amayès Aouli, Bonhams’ Global Head of Wine & Spirits.
The auction’s unsuccessful candidates and other connoisseurs will be able to console themselves with one of the 200 bottles of L’Édition Rare du Bicentenaire, sold from December 2024 at selected international points of sale. Each bottle will be presented in an oakwood box, accompanied by a medal, giving the opportunity to take part in a private tasting in Jarnac. A wonderful Christmas gift for yourself…
The program of festivities to celebrate 200 years of Delamain cognac will continue until the end of November on numerous international markets.
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Photos à la Une : © Delamain x Goosens
