From Gallo’s purchase of Rombauer and Massican to cannabis brand Tilray’s surprising acquisition of eight craft breweries and beverage companies from AB-InBev, there’s been no shortage of head-turning deals just this year alone. However, arguably the most surprising one came just last week when news broke that Gruppo Campari will be purchasing Courvoisier from Beam Suntory for a whopping $1.32 billion. During the early days of the pandemic, Cognac experienced a massive explosion of growth. Rémy Martin, Hennessy, and the like were on fire — so much so that many producers ran out of stock. Howe ..read more

Italy’s Campari Group has committed to buy premium Cognac house Courvoisier from Beam Suntory in a landmark deal, according to a Thursday press release from the brand. The purchase price for the acquisition is set at $1.2 billion. An additional payment of $120 million is expected to be payable in 2029 if the net sales target is reached in 2028, potentially giving the acquisition a value of $1.32 billion — the largest deal in Campari Group’s history. Founded in 1828, Courvoisier is one of France’s top four historical Cognac houses, making this a unique opportunity for Campari Group to enter th ..read more

There’s a longstanding visual that’s often associated with drinking Cognac. It involves an old, rich white guy in a smoking jacket sitting by a roaring fireplace, slowly and joylessly swirling the liquid in the broad-based snifter in his palm. Despite the category’s efforts to distance itself from this stuffy stereotype, it persists. This assumption does more than convey pretentiousness — it implies that Cognac is the forbidden fruit of the spirits world, unattainable unless you have deep pockets. This is untrue: Cognac is for everyone, and for every budget. There are plenty of cost-effective ..read more

Check out the best spirits from previous years here! Dozens of categories considered, thousands of bottles tasted, and almost 12 months in the making, the publishing of VinePair’s 50 best spirits list marks a major milestone in our calendar and one of our favorite annual traditions. Consider it not a bonafide buying guide — those can be found here — and instead a highlights reel of the best spirits that graced our palates this year. While we recommend picking up any and all you encounter, or ordering a pour from a bar list, the popularity of certain categories and brands, coupled with the lim ..read more

Frenchman Louis-Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle had an affinity for aged Cognac, a refined brandy from France’s Cognac region. This traditional spirit is made from grapes and aged in oak casks to impart nuanced and complex notes to the liquid — but in 1880, Marnier-Lapostolle took it one step further by blending his Cognac with exotic orange liqueur, thus introducing the world to Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge.  At the time, this unique combination of exceptional Cognac and rare Caribbean oranges was audacious and had never been done before. It’s no surprise that Grand Marnier became a hit and ..read more

Renowned Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest plans to expand its production into Cognac, announcing its acquisition of an esteemed estate in the French region on Wednesday. The premium whiskey company secured ownership of Domaine Saint Martin, a highly coveted and historic property that can trace its lineage back over 350 years. The more than 100-acre estate is located along the Charente River in the city of Cognac, and encompasses an adjoining cooperage, expansive cellars, a distillery, and 50 acres dedicated to its Grande Champagne vineyards. The Cognac region comprises six distinct crus ..read more

Classic cocktails typically feature one star spirit that’s considered central to the drink’s identity. It can dictate where the beverage appears in a cocktail book or on a bar menu, and is a major factor in attracting — or dissuading — guests from ordering it. But as bartenders continue to push the limits of mixology, more and more programs are spotlighting split-base cocktails, which use two different spirits as the foundation of their builds. And yes, there’s already a slew of well-known split-base cocktails, including classic examples like the Between the Sheets (made with Cognac and white ..read more

In the immortal words of Pam Beasley: We feel God in this Chili’s tonight. Chili’s recently added four new Margaritas to its cocktail menu nationwide, according to a brand representative: The Casamigos ‘Rita, Henny ‘Rita, Skinny ‘Rita, and Sangrita ‘Rita. To celebrate the new items, the Dallas-based restaurant chain is paying homage to its link to NBC’s “The Office” by partnering with two major cast members. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, who played Dunder Mifflin’s Pam Beesly and Angela Martin respectively, are the new faces of the “It all starts with a Marg” campaign. The pair, who curren ..read more

Spring has officially sprung, and with the summer months just around the corner, there’s never been a more perfect time to experiment with new seasonal ingredients. Lavender, which can be seen in full bloom from June to September, not only looks and smells stunning but also serves as a wonderful complement to a number of delightful libations. Carrying slightly sweet floral notes with hints of rosemary and a slightly bitter aftertaste, lavender makes a wonderful partner for spirits like Cognac and gin, though the earthy essence of tequila can also highlight the flower’s herbal flavor profile ..read more

Ah, Angostura, the most beloved bitters of the cocktail community. Famous for their presence in cocktails, an iconic and oversize label, and even for its niche popularity as a 1.5-ounce shot, it’s safe to say that Angostura bitters are practically ubiquitous behind the bar. But when it comes to at-home mixology, beyond whipping up an Old Fashioned, you may be questioning what to do with that bottle of Angostura that will never expire. From delightful libations named after historic French avenues to refreshing Tiki sippers, here are 13 of the best cocktails to make using Angostura bitters for ..read more