There is a rebelliousness in every amber drop of Bisquit&Dubouché cognac: While it carries over 200 years of heritage on its shoulders, the bold look of this brand stands tall, proudly displaying the sleek lines that speak to a promise of what lies inside.

This new look was celebrated at an exclusive event in Johannesburg on Monday 22nd November, bringing cognac lovers together for an intimate taste adventure. Held at the contemporary urban Riboville Boutique Hotel and Spa in the heart of Midrand, with each Bisquit&Dubouché offering exquisitely paired with a three-course menu of decadent local flavours.

Guests were re-introduced to the brand’s rebellious nature through three cocktails, featuring surprising flavours such as ginger beer and peach – each one enhancing the smooth, refined finish of the cognac. 

The cocktail selection on the evening included The Griffin, featuring ginger beer, fresh lemon and candied ginger alongside the cognac; and a Peach Smash – a fresh pairing of mint and peach playing off Bisquit&Dubouche’s V.S. (Very Special).

While guests enjoyed the consistent taste Bisquit&Dubouché has become renowned for, they were introduced to the brand’s new look. The new look is an ode to Bisquit&Dubouché founders, pioneer and innovator Alexandre Bisquit and his son-in-law, a creative and bohemian world traveller, Adrien Dubouché. With this relaunch, Bisquit&Dubouché restores its founders’ ambition and spirit into the essence of the brand while introducing it to a new generation.

The new, sleek bottle with metallic silver and black accents adorning the label is a departure from the traditional cognac bottles on shelves today. The brand’s symbolic griffin, a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; established as the “guardian” of the first cellars where the precious liquid aged, has been redesigned to reflect boldness and power.

The new look wasn’t the only surprise awaiting guests at the event: Music entertainment sensation DBN Gogo kept guests moving to the sound of her beats as they enjoyed the smooth, velvet notes of the incomparable Bisquit&Dubouché. Guests were treated to a bespoke menu, with each dish designed to highlight the sophisticated taste in each bottle.

Each starter was created to complement the floral and fruity flavours of the radiant gold V.S., Bisquit&Dubouché‘s youngest offering, slowly matured in French oak barrels for three years. Plated for guests were the delectable flavours of fresh Vietnamese spring rolls accompanied by honey soy; and deep fried pieces of Tigers Eye (Futo Maki) which included salmon, stemmed prawns, avocado, sweet mayo, eel sauce, rice, chives & tobiko. Each dish perfectly paired with the soft, fresh flavour of the V.S. Then followed the V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) with its warm amber colour, a testament to the four years spent slowly matured in French oak barrels.

Three plates were put forward to bring out the delicate notes of honeysuckle, citrus and mango found in the cognac: Lavender infused honey duck breast paired with orange infused confit duck leg and rainbow carrots drizzled with cranberry juice; teriyaki salmon – a combination of seared salmon, snow peas, sweet potato mash, salsa and teriyaki sauce; and wild mushroom risotto, made up of wild mushrooms, risotto, goat cheese and truffle zest. 

The rich, full-bodied, and stunningly smooth X.O. (Extra Old) was the perfect accompaniment to two mouth-watering desserts. On offer was a spiced poached pear served with vegan ice cream, and for a more woodie flavour, guests were presented with baked cheesecake served with hints of caramel and pecan nuts. The delicate and creamy flavours complemented the aromatic notes of plum, mocha, cedarwood and liquorice found in the deep, coppery amber cognac.

Each guest was also treated to a bespoke chocolate and cognac tasting, designed to create a unique, innovative taste experience. Each chocolate boasted the brand’s signature griffin and was crafted and handmade by chocolatier Von Geusau.

A tantalising cinnamon, orange and ginger chocolate was paired with the fruity V.S., while salted toffee and honeycomb chocolate brought out the deeper, fruity taste of the V.S.O.P. A delicate pear and surprising espresso chocolate rounded off the pairing, highlighting the mocha notes hidden in the X.O.

This tasting is just another way the brand lives its heritage. Bisquit&Dubouché cognac undergoes traditional double distillation in a copper pot still, but then it departs from traditional cognac-making: Bisquit&Dubouché eau-de-vie relies on intuition and knowledge rather than technical methods, to cut at the exact moment the aroma and body of the eaux de vie match the brand’s signature taste.

For more information visit: www.bisquitdubouche.com and www.camparigroup.com.