When the itinerary for the Augier launch came into my inbox, I thought to myself *cue the M&S music* this isn’t just any ordinary cognac launch, this is a Pernod Ricard cognac launch. Yes, they were at it again. Launching Augier to the UK wasn’t going to be a tiny tasting somewhere, oh no – they wanted to revive this venerable Cognac in style.
So, with an 8am start on a cold crisp autumn Monday straight after LCW (yes, bartenders actually did turn up), we met at Corrigan’s for a breakfast of champions to get us ready for the jam packed day ahead. We donned our uniforms (tweed flatcaps and embroidered scarfs) and clambered onto the pimping coach and set off for a shooting session at the fabulous Down Hall Country House Hotel. 
With a glass trophy up for grabs everyone brought a fierce game. I even surprised myself at my “natural” flair with the gun so needless to say the guys were smashing it also. After three hours demolishing clay pigeons we had really worked up a thirst and were more than ready to sample the good stuff. Served in a flash tasting glass keychain we were poured our first taster of Augier, and man was it good.
Once we’d whet our whistles we sat down to a decadent three course lunch of goats cheese tart, stuffed guinea fowl and sticky toffee pudding, each expertly paired with the newly launched Augier range.
AUGIER:
Augier dates back to 1643, making it the oldest of the cognac houses. Their original calling was to strive for typicality, cultivate neglected terroirs and grapes, and create cognacs of singular character. Now, revived by Pernod Ricard, that statement is still ringing true and they have launched an exciting and excellent range of unusual expressions. Unlike usual cognacs, these aren’t bottled at the default 40% abv, the aux-de-vie is not chill filtered and there are no additives so that the character and authenticity of the distillates is preserved.
THE RANGE:
Le Sauvage: This is a bold cognac with a rich intensity that’s achieved by distilling the wine on its fine lees. Complex and subtly balanced, with vibrant sweet stonefruit notes with a long and gently spiced finish.
Le Singulier: Le Singulier is an expressive cognac made from Folle Blanche from Grande Champagne. The body is rounded and polished with intense fruit aromas, with subtle wood notes to finish. Nice and elegant.
L’Oceanique: L’ Océanique (which hasn’t quite reached the UK yet, patience) is the most unique, with strong mineral notes and a hint of smoke. The nose has spicy floral notes with hints of tobacco. The perfect accompaniment to the rich toffee pudding we all devoured.
What’s great about these cognacs is that they don’t just taste fantastic alone. The range is also perfect for people who want to mix cognac. To prove this point we were whisked back to London to some of the best bars in town, Hawksmoor Spitalfields, Discounts Suit Company and Dandelyan, to try them in action and to see their versatility.
THE DRINKS:
Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar –
Jack Knows Nothing
50ml Augier Singulier
25ml blush cider syrup
20ml lemon juice
2 dashes peychaud bitter
Discount Suit Company –
Wild Sauvage
40ml Augier Sauvage
20ml lemon juice
20ml netted tea
20ml milk whey
Plymouth Slow Crown
served rocks & foliage
Folles Gold
30ml Augier Singulier
20ml Chivas 12
20ml Lillet Blanc
2 dashes Benedictine
2 dashes Pernod Absinthe
Served up & citrus
Dandelyan –
French Quarter
Augier Le Singulier 40ml
Aquavit 10ml
Oak Lactone syrup 5ml
Angostura bitter 2 dashes
Peychaud’s bitter 1 dash
Garnish: orange peel
We couldn’t have asked for a better nightcap safari. Big thank you to Pernod Ricard for yet another amazing experience. I can’t think of a better way to have welcomed this venerable range to the UK, I tip off my tweed flatcap to you. Augier has landed.
