[C]umbria Crystal have designed and produced fifty 1L lead crystal decanters for a limited edition sixty-year-old cognac being released by Hermitage Cognac later this week. The cognac dubbed ‘Marie Louise’ is extremely rare and comes from “one of the region’s top artisan makers” according to Hermitage Cognac Managing Director David Barker.
Cumbria Crystal were selected to produce the bespoke decanters as the company has been producing the UK’s highest quality lead crystal for over forty years, with each piece blown and cut by hand using traditional heritage techniques. The Ulverston based factory is lauded for the exacting workmanship and precision-cut crystal manufactured by the artisan team. Managing Director Chris Blade explains how this unique commission worked in practice
“David wanted to use a British crystal manufacturer and Cumbria Crystal is one of the finest in the world. Being a small company we are flexible and able to entertain relatively small batch runs, so we were a logical choice . It’s exciting to be involved in such a rare and special project. Complying with incredibly fine tolerances in weight, vacuity and neck bore diameter is quite a challenge for our glass blowers. These dimensions are dictated by how much liquid glass is gathered by hand from the furnace and consistency is everything. They were gathering to an accuracy of 20g. Not bad for a liquid at 1250 degrees on the end of 1.5 metres of metal blowing iron! The design was chosen for its simple and timeless aesthetic and ability to show off the colour of the cognac. Cumbria Crystal were proud to be involved, the best and rarest Cognacs deserve to be paired with the best hand-made crystal in Britain.”
The one litre decanters have a price tag of £1,650 and are deemed a true cognac connoisseurs tipple. On tasting the brandy for the first time David Barker said he could tell it was, “going to be one of the finest we have ever offered.”
He added: “It’s like lining your mouth with velvet, with a full and refined aroma of muscat grape, nutmeg, baked apple, toast and walnut. It has a complex, glorious taste of sultanas, truffle, toffee brittle, coffee, dried fig cinnamon, clove and hazelnut all wrapped up in an intensely rich rancio, found only in the rarest of Cognacs.“
Those looking to treat the brandy lover in their house and with pockets deep enough to do so will be able to purchase ‘Marie Louise’ from 16th November through Corney & Barrow, Hedonism Wines and Brandyclassics for £1,650 per decanter.
