Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac unveils three new expressions — XO, Grande Champagne Vintage 2000, and 50-Year-Old — crafted to capture the essence of Cognac as it was over two centuries ago.
- 50-Year-Old – A rare blend of vintage eaux-de-vie from 1970, 1971, and 1974. Full-bodied and aromatic with notes of dried fruit, macadamia, tobacco, and soft wood spice, presented in a crystal decanter etched with the original family crest.
- XO – The flagship expression, a blend of Cognacs aged over two decades. Silky and floral with dried fruit, warm spice, and a soft, lingering finish.
- Grande Champagne Vintage 2000 – The Domaine’s first single-harvest release, distilled from a single year’s crop from Cognac’s most celebrated cru and matured for more than twenty years. It delivers ripe stone fruit, exotic florals, and delicate spice.
Inspired by the 1700s house of the same name, these small-batch releases were made from carefully curated aged stocks reminiscent of our desired style and reflective of Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac’s “true to the vine” mission. Each release reflects the domaine’s dedication to varietal and regional diversity and classic methods, rekindling the spirit of Cognac’s golden age with a contemporary vision for today’s connoisseur.
Reconceptualized in 2019 by global spirits company Sazerac, owners of Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky and Hawk’s Rock Distillery in Ireland, Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac carries forward the legacy of the 1782 domaine founded by Bernard Sazerac de Forge. The pioneering house earned a reputation for refinement, shipping Cognac across Europe and America and lending its name to the famed Sazerac cocktail of New Orleans before fading in the late 19th century during the phylloxera epidemic that destroyed most of the vineyards in France.
Today’s domaine cultivates its estate in Segonzac, the heart of Grande Champagne, using organic practices and a remarkable diversity of grape varietals. Beyond the estate, it curates rare, aged stocks from across the region, inspired by the methods and character of pre-phylloxera Cognacs, to produce expressions of timeless elegance.
“At Sazerac de Forge, every expression is crafted with care to showcase the unique character of its carefully selected eaux-de-vie,” says Cellar Master Denis Lahouratate. “Our blends are patiently shaped over time, developing complexity and depth. Others are released as vintages, capturing their singular qualities. In every case, the goal is the same: a Cognac that reveals individuality and artistry.”
Sazerac de Forge 50-Year-Old
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An extraordinary blend of three rare vintage eaux-de-vie distilled in 1970, 1971, and 1974, Sazerac de Forge 50-Year-Old embodies half a century of patience, craftsmanship, and prestige. Each vintage was hand sealed in wax and left undisturbed for more than fifty years in small French oak barrels before being carefully blended.
Tasting Notes – Aromatic and intense at 43% ABV, this Cognac reveals notes of dried fruits, stewed figs, and dates, layered with warm spices, subtle tobacco, leather, and macadamia nuts. On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with hints of dark chocolate and gentle woodiness.
The decanter, formed from gracefully curved crystal glass with a matching lid and the Sazerac de Forge family crest etched in gold, pays homage to the original Cognac domaine. Released in limited quantities, each bottle reflects time’s transformative power and the singular character of these three vintages. Sazerac de Forge 50-Year-Old is now available in select markets nationwide through Sazerac’s United States distributor network at a suggested retail price of $3,999.99 per 700ml.
What Was Happening 50 Years Ago When This Cognac was Distilled?
50 years was a long time ago. This vintage cognac includes distillate from 1970, 1971, and 1974. Let’s try to put this timeline in perspective and take a look at some things that were happening in the world in 1970. Enjoy!
- The No. 1 selling car in the U.S. was the Ford Galaxie 500. Luxury at its finest. Watch as she rolls up the window in this commercial featuring Bob Hope.
- Paul McCartney announced he was leaving The Beatles to launch his first self-titled solo album ‘McCartney’ featuring Maybe I’m Amazed.
- The No. 1 song in the U.S. was ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘ by Simon & Garfunkel.
- President Nixon signed legislation banning cigarette ads on TV and radio. Watch the last TV ad ever released featuring Virginia Slims and ‘You’ve come a long way, baby‘.
- The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 23 to 7 in Super Bowl IV.
- The No. 1 TV show was Marcus Welby, M.D..
- “The Partridge Family” premiered on TV. What show aired just before the Partridge Family? Hint: ‘Here’s the story of a lovely lady…’
- Rock legend Jimmy Hendrix, arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music, died on September 18, 1970. Janice Joplin dies a few weeks later on October 4, 1970.
- John Wayne won his first and only Oscar for Best Actor in True Grit. Bonus: Who sung the theme song to True Grit?
- The U.S. celebrates the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. A Special Earth Day Report narrated by Walter Cronkite.
- “Jesus Christ Superstar” album premiered. The music and lyrics were created by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, the most successful composer-lyricist team in modern theater history.
Sazerac de Forge XO
Formed from carefully selected eaux-de-vie, Sazerac de Forge XO showcases a masterful blend that sits at 43% ABV and includes Cognacs aged for over two decades in French oak barrels. Remarkably old stocks elevate the blend, resulting in exceptional depth and refinement.
Tasting Notes – Silky and floral with unmistakable richness, the flagship expression from Sazerac de Forge delivers a creamy texture layered with dried fruits, warm spice, and gentle, natural sweetness. Its soft, lingering finish reflects both time and the subtle elegance of the craft, achieved with no added coloring.
The XO bottle features a graceful, rounded silhouette of clear glass that showcases the Cognac’s golden hue. A natural cork stopper with a wooden cap and a satin blue ribbon complete the look, resurrecting the ‘Sazerac Blue’ hue once stamped on chinaware exported worldwide from the original Sazerac de Forge pottery house.
Sazerac de Forge XO is now available nationwide in select markets via Sazerac’s United States distributor networks at a suggested retail price of $149.99/750mL.
Sazerac de Forge Grande Champagne Vintage 2000
The first vintage release from Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac, Grande Champagne 2000 represents over two decades of patient maturation in the chalk-rich soils of Cognac’s most celebrated cru. Distilled from a single harvest and matured in French oak barrels without blending, it captures a single vintage in its purest form.
Tasting Notes – Deep gold in color, Grande Champagne 2000 presents ripe stone fruits, exotic florals, and delicate spice with a full, rounded texture.
The bottle, made of clear glass with a gently curved silhouette and natural cork stopper, is complemented by a matching carton detailed in cream and blue with gold accents. Bottled at 44.8% ABV, Sazerac de Forge Grande Champagne 2000 is available nationwide in select markets via Sazerac’s United States distributor networks at a suggested retail price of $449.99/700mL.
“Cognac’s richness lies not only in flavor, but also in the generations of knowledge behind its craft,” adds Jess Scheerhorn, Vice President, Sazerac de Forge. “We created these expressions for those who seek to experience Cognac the way it was originally intended in 1782.”
A limited supply of the Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac portfolio is also available for purchase directly via Legacy de Forge, a new global platform powered by Blockbar for purchasing some of the world’s most coveted bottles.
Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies with over 400 years of history. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers and communities around the world. Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more. Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Hawk’s Rock Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, and Sydney, to name a few.
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Source: Ford Galaxie 500 photo courtesy of Metro Moulded Parts.
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