1 bottle per lot
Details
THE INAUGURAL OFFERING OF SPIRITS AT CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK
We are pleased to offer our first ever selection of fine spirits after the recent change in the law in New York state.
The following lots, culled from the best collections of America bring exceptional Cognacs, Armagnacs, Chartreuse, Whisky, Calvados and other collectable spirits to the New York auction scene for the first time.
Highlights include 1811 Cognacs named for Napoléon, and incredible wealth of The Macallan whisky, Erté Collection cognac, Coeur de Lion calvados as well as an 18th century Crème de Thé.
Cognac
Often regarded as the finest brandies in the world, cognac is exclusively from the Cognac region in France. During the Middle Ages merchants distilled their regional wines so as to not spoil during long voyages. By the 17th century it was noticed that these 'eaux-de-vie' improved with time and contact while in the oak wood casks. It gained popularity in this form and 'cognac' was born. Produced mainly from the Ugni Blanc grape, the wine is twice distilled in copper Charentais stills and aged at least two years in French oak barrels. The final product is usually a blend of different ages from different vineyards. Within Cognac, six crus of varying quality provide the grapes for the wine, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne are the most well known and respected. The age is always identified by the youngest in the blend, which refers to the amount of time the brandy has spent in cask. Longer ageing in cask creates more complex characteristics in the brandy, therefore cognacs from the best quality areas and with several years of cask ageing are the most elite and sought-after.
Cognac, Napoléon, Grande Fine Champagne--Vintage 1802
E. Piercel de Saint Jacques
Glass embossed Napoléon 1802, Cognac de Fine Champagne 'Pierre Célestin de la Maison de St. Jacques - fournisseur officiel de l'empereur, Napoléon 1er' wax capsule
1 bottle per lot
We are pleased to offer our first ever selection of fine spirits after the recent change in the law in New York state.
The following lots, culled from the best collections of America bring exceptional Cognacs, Armagnacs, Chartreuse, Whisky, Calvados and other collectable spirits to the New York auction scene for the first time.
Highlights include 1811 Cognacs named for Napoléon, and incredible wealth of The Macallan whisky, Erté Collection cognac, Coeur de Lion calvados as well as an 18th century Crème de Thé.
Cognac
Often regarded as the finest brandies in the world, cognac is exclusively from the Cognac region in France. During the Middle Ages merchants distilled their regional wines so as to not spoil during long voyages. By the 17th century it was noticed that these 'eaux-de-vie' improved with time and contact while in the oak wood casks. It gained popularity in this form and 'cognac' was born. Produced mainly from the Ugni Blanc grape, the wine is twice distilled in copper Charentais stills and aged at least two years in French oak barrels. The final product is usually a blend of different ages from different vineyards. Within Cognac, six crus of varying quality provide the grapes for the wine, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne are the most well known and respected. The age is always identified by the youngest in the blend, which refers to the amount of time the brandy has spent in cask. Longer ageing in cask creates more complex characteristics in the brandy, therefore cognacs from the best quality areas and with several years of cask ageing are the most elite and sought-after.
Cognac, Napoléon, Grande Fine Champagne--Vintage 1802
E. Piercel de Saint Jacques
Glass embossed Napoléon 1802, Cognac de Fine Champagne 'Pierre Célestin de la Maison de St. Jacques - fournisseur officiel de l'empereur, Napoléon 1er' wax capsule
1 bottle per lot