Philippe de Castaigne Très Vieux

Philippe de Castaigne started producing Cognac in 1860 and remained doing so until the end of the 19th century. Most likely his business collapsed due to the Phylloxera outbreak which ended the rain of Cognac which lost her dominant position to whisky, a position which would never be conquered again. In 1989, undoubtedly inspired by the success of Moyet, the brand was re-introduced by Philippe Valentin-Dulac, related to Philippe de Castaigne. In order to generate turnover the old stocks where bottled but due to a incomplete registration they where forbidden by French law to sell these with a vintage date. Instead they released them under intriguing names such as Très Rare, Très Vieux , Extra Vieux (35 ans), Reserve Ancienne Fins Bois (25 ans) and Napoleon. The rarest of them all however was the Très Belle, the only 100% Folle Blanche release and, as such, the only expression which contained 100% Cognac from 1850 (the others where blends containing both 1850 and 1893). Despite all efforts this venture turned out unsuccessful and in 1994 the company laid down her books.