Inspired By Its Historic Archives, Grand Marnier Releases 1,000 Bottles Of Quintessence Cognac

Cognac, orange essence, wooden, and time: with the launch of Quintessence, Grand Marnier is proving how deep and sophisticated a mixture of those 4 components could be in palms of a Grasp Blender.

Grande Cuvée Quintessence is the primary of two grand cuvées within the French Maison’s Distinctive Vary, each of which shall be debuted this yr in very restricted portions. (The second, Révélation, will launch later in 2022.)

Whereas most of us know Grand Marnier’s ever-popular orange liqueur as a vital part for traditional cocktails just like the margarita, old fashioned, and sidecar, Quintessence is one thing very completely different — a uncommon and distinctive liqueur that’s meant to be sipped and savored by itself. Actually, it’s the oldest and rarest cognac in Grand Marnier’s lengthy historical past, which started in 1880 when Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle started stirring French cognac with Citrus Bigaradia, a bitter and extremely fragrant orange.

Quintessence was impressed by a historic Grand Marnier recipe that requires macerating Bigaradia orange in cognac: the corporate’s Historic Grasp Blender, Patrick Raguenaud, found it within the archives. Crafted with hors d’âge cognacs completely from Grande Champagne and private reserves from the Marnier Lapostolle household’s private cellar, the spirit is then blended with macerated Bigaradia orange peels and double-distilled to create depth of taste. The result’s a wealthy and velvety copper-colored liqueur with brilliant aromas of vanilla, almond, and orange blossom, and sophisticated, woody notes of toasted walnut, stone fruit, and bitter orange.

“It’s a uncommon expertise to drink this, even to think about this type of cognac is uncommon. The feeling, the sensation, the notion of what you scent, it’s unforgettable,” stated Raguenaud.

Simply 1,000 bottles of Quintessence have been made, every housed in a chic Baccarat two-piece curved decanter with an attractive swirl design and coordinating base. Since each piece is individually mouthblown by Baccarat artisans, every is one-of-a-kind.

To rejoice the launch, Grand Marnier threw a glam fête at Baccarat Boutique B Bar & Lounge in Miami’s buzzy Design District. Company — together with tastemakers from the town’s artwork, style, and design circles — have been welcomed by a multi-sensory set up illustrating the sights, scents, and sounds that went into crafting the uncommon cuvée cognac.

Then, visitors bought to be the primary to style Quintessence. The oldest and rarest cognac in Grand Marnier’s lengthy and storied historical past was poured with white-glove service from its dazzling bespoke decanter, beneath the glowing chandeliers of the Baccarat Bar.

Grande Cuvée Quintessence retails for $3,500 and is presently obtainable for pre-order on ReserveBar.com. It should start delivery in Could.