Latest news with #Cognac
Nylon
4 days ago
- Business
- Nylon
MCM teams up with Seoul-based RAWROW for Mars Gold Capsule
Blending MCM's design heritage with Seoul-based RAWROW's commitment to functionality, the two brands have come together in a partnership that reimagines travel gear for the digital nomad. Image courtesy of MCM. Inspired by the idea of 'From Munich to Mars', this collaboration combines precision and practicality through two luggage pieces, available in cabin and check-in sizes. It also debuts the colour 'Mars Gold', which is a modern interpretation of MCM's iconic Cognac, and is crafted with anodised aluminium and recycled materials, offering you with a lightweight yet durable build that is designed to reduce environmental impact. This idea of sustainability can be found throughout the pieces too, from the use of recycled polyester linings to long-lasting components that have been built for extended use. Image courtesy of MCM. Image courtesy of MCM. Just like any type of partnership, the pieces reflect the distinct design philosophies of both MCM and RAWROW. Crafted in MCM's signature Visetos, the handles offer a tactile expression of the house's motif, along with the interior that is lined with the same monogram for a premium cohesive finish. Complementing these elements is RAWROW's hallmark functionality with a patented TT Handle, built-in digital scale, and a discreet passport pocket. The MCM x RAWROW capsule collection is available now in select MCM stores and online at
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- General
- Buzz Feed
31 People Who Had A Bad Day At Work
This person who accidentally set off the fire extinguisher while they were at work: This person who dropped their watch into the wood chipper at work: This person who dropped their work badge in the toilet after they used it: This person who bumped into this window at work: This person who left a freight container in the middle of the road: This person who lost thousands of dollars worth of products at work: This person who dropped a $5,000 bottle of Cognac at work: This person who installed a water dispenser incorrectly: This person who accidentally cut into their client's internet cable: This car technician who lifted this truck totally incorrectly: This person who knocked over a ton of plates that were needed for an event: This person who had to reorganize these bins after one of their coworkers knocked them all over: These people whose work computers got showered by a leak: This person whose arm got pinched in a metal door at their job: This person who had to clean up after the nastiest customers: This person who broke their leg minutes after clocking in to the first day at a new job: This person whose coworkers left 45 minutes early and left them with the dishes: This person who cut their hand with a box cutter while on the job: This person who knocked over a ton of plates that were needed for an event: This person who had to clean up the theater after an awful audience: This person whose pants zipper broke right before a big meeting: This person whose boss wouldn't let them leave for five minutes to turn off their car headlights: This person who brought lunch to work and ended up having to eat something else anyway: This person who watched a customer's child spill goo all over a chair and the customer didn't apologize: This person who made a huge Uber Eats order that was then canceled: This person who came in to work and found the new tardy policy: This person who unfolded their "cash" tip at a restaurant: This person who opened up their free lunch after working a 12-hour shift: This person who found another guest in their hotel while on a work trip: This person who showed up for Whoville day at work as the only person on theme: And finally, this person who found that someone had left the ice machine door open at night:
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
France, China, agreement on Cognac could be nearing
France and China could be close to a deal to resolve the ongoing trade dispute over Cognac exports. Yesterday (12 June), the Cognac trade body Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) said that it was hoping for "a positive outcome" from talks which had taken place around China's ongoing anti-dumping investigation. "Agreements could be signed in the coming hours, and we will be able to communicate once the agreement is finalised," the industry group said. Diplomatic sources told Just Drinks yesterday that talks around the Cognac dispute were ongoing. Reports from Reuters indicate that negotiators have proposed implementing minimum prices for exports to China between $20 and roughly $300 per litre. The proposal is allegedly an opening bid which looks to bring the ongoing trade deadlock between the two countries to a close. The Cognac industry has been facing tariffs on exports to China since October, when the Asian country's commerce ministry imposed 'provisional dumping measures' on imports of EU-origin brandy. Since October, companies importing products including brandy have had to pay a security deposit to Chinese authorities upon arrival. China launched its investigation last year after receiving complaints of brandy dumping from the China Liquor Industry Association. The move followed the EU's launch of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles in September 2023. The probe has been assessing dumping allegations made between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023 for EU brandy imported in containers of under 200 litres. Gabriel Picard, chairman of the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS) was quoted by French daily Sud Ouest as having confirmed that a "minimum price commitment" was "being discussed between France and China" "So, technically, we're in agreement," he reportedly said during a presentation of a report on France's spirits industry. "This minimum price commitment would represent an additional cost of around 12% to 16% for the arrival of our products on the Chinese market." FEVS did not respond to Just Drinks' requests for comment at the time of writing. At the end of March, reports emerged suggesting China had postponed concluding its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy products. According to news outlets Bloomberg and Reuters at the time, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told journalists during a trip to China in March that the completion of the probe had been delayed by three months. 'This measure should give us a few months' breathing space with the reopening of duty-free sales of Cognac and Armagnac, which represent a significant volume of sales for some brands,' he said in emailed comments to Bloomberg at the time. China's Ministry of Commerce announced in January that it had extended its anti-dumping probe of brandy originating from the EU by three months. The investigation, launched on 5 January 2024 and initially due to last one year, was expected to be completed by 5 April. "France, China, agreement on Cognac could be nearing" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why French Whiskey Belongs on Your Shelf
Glass of cognac on the vintage barrel. getty France has long had a reputation for doing alcohol very well. Cognac? Legendary. Champagne? Peerless. Wine in general? A national obsession. But whiskey? Until recently, that was more of a side character in the French drinks universe—enjoyed, perhaps, but not often made. That's changing. Thanks to a growing number of ambitious distillers and an audience eager for homegrown alternatives to Scotch or Irish whiskey, France is becoming a serious player in the global whiskey scene. And yes, the French are doing it their way—with regional ingredients, wine barrel finishes, and a deep respect for terroir. Here's what to know about the rise of French whiskey—and six bottles that absolutely belong on your shelf. The French have been drinking whiskey for over a century—largely imports from Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S. But the idea of making whiskey? That took time. For decades, French law and tradition centered around grape-based spirits like Cognac and Armagnac. It wasn't until the late 20th century that whiskey-making in France really took off, with distillers in Brittany and Alsace leading the way. Why those regions? Because they already had a distilling culture, and—perhaps more importantly—they weren't part of the protected zones for Cognac or Armagnac, giving them more freedom to experiment. Fast forward to today, and France now has over 100 whiskey producers crafting everything from peated single malts to rye whiskeys aged in Sauternes barrels. Armorik Single Malt Distillerie Warenghem Lannion, Brittany Armorik is basically the OG of French whiskey—produced by Warenghem, a family-run distillery that's been making spirits since the 1900s and whiskey since the 1980s. If France had a whiskey hall of fame, this would be the first inductee. The Armorik Classic Single Malt is aged in French oak and sherry casks, offering notes of malted barley, apple tart, honey, and spice, with just enough oak to keep things grounded. It's warm, inviting, and wonderfully Breton. Brenne French Single Malt Brenne Cognac Region Brenne is the whiskey your wine-loving friend will instantly understand. Founded by former ballerina-turned-spirits-entrepreneur Allison Parc, it's distilled in the Cognac region using organic barley, and aged in—wait for it—ex-Cognac barrels. The result? A fruity, floral whiskey with flavors of banana bread, crème brûlée, dried fig, and baking spice, and a finish that feels like dessert in a glass. If you like your whiskey soft, approachable, and just a little bit flashy, Brenne is your move. Origine Collection Rozelieures Single Malt Lorraine Rozelieures is one of the few French distilleries that grows its own barley, malts it, distills it, and ages it all on-site. Think of it as the farm-to-glass whiskey of France—with volcanic soil thrown in for good measure. The Origine Collection is lightly peated and aged in ex-Cognac and sherry casks. Expect notes of smoky pear, black tea, citrus peel, and roasted nuts, all tied together by a delicate minerality. If you're into Highland-style Scotch but want to go off-script, this one's a no-brainer. Moissons Single Malt Domaine des Hautes Glaces Alps Region This is the whiskey equivalent of a biodynamic natural wine. Domaine des Hautes Glaces (aka DHG) makes avant-garde spirits using sustainable farming, long fermentation, and native yeast. You don't just drink this stuff—you feel it. The Moissons Single Malt offers an earthy, grain-forward profile with aromas of hay, toasted rye bread, dried fruit, and a whisper of alpine herbs. It's rustic, bold, and built for serious sipping—or intense philosophical debates. Triple Malt Rouge Bellevoye Blend of Three Regions Bellevoye does things a little differently. Rather than distilling in one region, they source whiskey from three different distilleries in France and blend it—think of it as a curated tasting menu in a bottle. The Rouge expression is finished in ex-Bordeaux wine casks, which gives it a tannic edge and a lovely red fruit core. You'll find notes of cherry compote, toasted oak, almond skin, and dark chocolate, with a plush, almost chewy finish. If you like whiskey with swagger and structure, this one's for you. Heritage French Malt Alfred Giraud Cognac Region Crafted by a family with deep Cognac roots, Alfred Giraud takes a haute couture approach to whiskey. The Heritage release blends several malt distillates and is aged in a combination of new French oak and Cognac casks. It's smooth but complex, with flavors of stewed plum, spice cake, roasted hazelnut, and orange peel, and just enough Cognac richness to make you say "Ooh la la." Yes, it's on the pricier side—but very much worth it if you're into layered, luxurious pours. French whiskey may still be considered 'new,' but it's rooted in deep craft traditions and powered by a seriously creative distilling culture. These aren't Scotch clones—they're expressions of French terroir, barrel aging expertise, and yes, a little Gallic flair. So if your whiskey shelf is already packed with bottles from Kentucky, Islay, and Hokkaido, it might be time to make room for something with a French accent. Just don't be surprised if one of these bottles becomes your next favorite—and insists on being paired with cheese.
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Martell Makes Bold U.S. Move To Lift The Cognac Market
Martell is making a play for the cocktail space. 'Make It With Martell' is an expression that American consumers will encounter from this summer onwards as the cognac brand puts in place a new strategy to persuade drinkers to replace key spirits in their favorite cocktails with Martell. Leading the charge is acclaimed mixologist Rémy Savage, whose multiple projects include the lauded Bauhaus-inspired A Bar with Shapes for a Name in East London. Savage's team has created a series of cocktails for Martell designed to redefine traditional ways of making popular mixed drinks; from a negroni and margarita, to mint julep and mojito. On World Cocktail Day on June 5, Savage and Martell's global marketing director, Sébastien Borda, jointly reopened L'Indigo Bar, in Cognac, France. This marked the official summer residency of the mixologist at the rooftop venue at the Martell Foundation, said to be the highest point in the town with spectacular 360-degree views of the region. More importantly, the opening sets in motion the 'Make It With Martell' global campaign, starting in the United States—the world's biggest cognac market by volume—where a series of cocktail programs will begin across bars, hotels and other hospitality venues in big cities. Together, these activities form part of a bigger, sustained strategy that is, in effect, a new platform designed to make Martell a go-to substitute spirit in popular cocktails—and the entire cognac category by extension. Swapping out key spirits in favorite cocktails is a bold move, but Martell is convinced it is on the right track, not least because it takes cognac back to its often forgotten roots when it was a well tried and tested spirit in mixed drinks. The 1930s book 100 Famous Cocktails prepared in collaboration with Oscar Tschirky, maître d'hôtel of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, lists a series of cocktails with cognac at their core. Cognac was a popular choice in cocktails in the past according to Oscar of The Waldorf. Bringing cognac back to the center of cocktail culture is now a primary objective for Maison Martell, founded in 1715. As the oldest of the four major cognac houses which include Campari-owned Courvoisier, Hennessy, and Rémy Martin, it is perhaps fitting that it is taking a lead in a revival. In his first interview since talking the marketing reins at the brand a year ago, and referencing the new campaign, Sébastien Borda told 'This is really a central point of our strategy. The Martell business is heavily reliant on Asia and, as we know, the context is quite difficult. So we are accelerating our efforts in the U.S and Africa as regions for potential growth.' Make It With Martell is kicking off in the United States because its parent, drinks giant Pernod Ricard, regards the country as an opportunity for expansion. In mid-May, Conor McQuaid, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America said that while consumers were 'making more cautious choices', spirits were continuing to take share from beer and wine. In 2024, spirits represented 42% of beverage alcohol in value versus 35% a decade ago. Sébastien Borda: 'We feel that cognac, and Martell in particular, can take on any classic and bring ... More something new to the on-premise.' The CEO added: 'Cocktail culture is thriving, especially with cordials and RTDs having doubled in size over the past few years and still growing at 20% year-over-year.' Borda commented: 'In the U.S. we will push into the on-premise where the cognac category hasn't been particularly active. We want to be part of what will probably be a broader movement, with other cognac houses also playing their part.' Something has to change as cognac sales have been under immense pressure. In the first calendar quarter of this year, Pernod Ricard—whose brands include Absolut, Chivas, and Jameson—noted a 4% decline across its strategic international labels. Good growth for Jameson, Chivas Regal, Ballantine's and Absolut was undone by declines at Martell and Royal Salute whisky. Swapping out the gin for cognac in a Negroni makes for a smoother sip, according to Rémy Savage. In the same period, rivals saw even greater falls. LVMH's cognac and spirits sales were down by 17%, hit by soft demand in the U.S. and China, while Rémy Cointreau saw sales in its cognac division plunge by 33% on an organic basis in the quarter. The uncertainty around Trump's tariffs has not helped. Martell's strategy rests on its belief that its liquid—made by distilling clear wines as its point of differentiation—is highly suited to mixing, especially at the VS and VSOP entry level. This can bring new consumers into the category. 'Some see cognac as only for certain types of (more formal) occasions but we're going to show them that it can make perfectly balanced, rich, aromatic cocktails,' said Borda. Rémy Savage: 'Through experimentation I found that cognac was a very generous dance partner due to ... More its complexity in the wood and aroma.' The cocktail scene is already thriving in the U.S. so Martell will bring an air of experimentation and exploration to the market. The marketing director added: 'We believe we can come in with something that will surprise consumers.' Challenging the mainstay classic cocktails market is a brave move but it was something that Savage had already toyed with in the past due to his love of cognac. He said: 'Through experimentation I found that cognac was a very generous dance partner due to its complexity in the wood and aroma. We pushed it to see how far it could go, and it goes a long way. We're talking about the democratisation of cognac; to make it for everyone.' Borda said: 'When you have one of the top mixologists in the world taking this approach with such passion and conviction, we feel that cognac, and Martell in particular, can take on any classic and bring something new to the on-premise.' Savage is spinning several plates at once. He has six bar businesses on the go: two in London, two in Paris, one in Lyon, and one in Bordeaux, with an Art Deco-themed New York oyster bar bar opening shortly, and a further venue coming in Mexico. The cognac collaboration is the only one he has with a drinks brand in any category, and he is not looking for others. Savage said: 'With Martell it's like we've been dating for four years and, this summer, we're finally moving in together. I am doing it because I want to. I have always been in love with cognac and this has led me to Martell.' With his New York bar about to open, and Savage's genuine belief that cognac cocktails have a future—picking up from where they left off last century—Martell could just have found the right formula, and team, to turn the category around, starting with the U.S. before expanding to the rest of the world. The Make It With Martell campaign will launch in key cities such as New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, Houston, and Los Angeles. Borda said: 'It is a new, permanent platform that we strongly expect will drive sales and help us to modernize and create a different image for cognac that, in turn, will contribute to more dynamism at Martell. We will be adapting the cocktails to different seasons and the platform will be central to our future marketing and brand plans.'
