CourvoisierVSOPCognac(700mL)

<p>Bonaparte’s choice of tipple.</p><p><em>Courvoisier</em> … not many brand names are as synonymous with prestige and quality as <em>Courvoisier’s</em>. The name has seeped into our culture like few others. It has appeared in <em>Woody Allen</em> and <em>James Bon</em>d films, been rapped about by <em>Busta Rhymes</em> and <em>Ice Cube</em>, has been praised by <em>Stevie Nicks</em>, and has appeared in hundreds of TV shows. Every seduction begins with Courvoisier.</p><p>That’s quite the pop-culture resume. But they’ve earned their place in history. Founded in <em>1809</em> by <em>Emmanuel Courvoisier</em>, the company, now owned by Beam Suntory, has been making Cognac, and only Cognac for more than 200 years. </p><p><em>Courvoisier VSOP</em> is labelled “The Cognac of Napoleon.” And this isn’t marketing hype … the little emperor with the funny hat and his fingers stuck in his coat actually paid them a visit. In 1811, <em>Napoleon</em> visited the main <em>Cognac market in Bercy</em>, <em>France</em>, declared that he had made his choice and took<em> two barrels of Courvoisier</em> with him. </p><p><em>The ambitious Frenchman</em> may not have chosen the best time to invade <em>Russia</em>, but he sure knew his Cognac. <em>Courvoisier VSOP</em> is still the standard by which all other Cognacs are judged. The famous aroma, the full body and luscious mouth-feel, the nutty and gentle spice wrung from <em>more</em> <em>than four years</em> of rest in the finest <em>Limousin oak</em> … everything is spot on, nearly becoming the definition of Cognac in France. </p><p><u>SmartAss Corner</u>One of the most famous paintings of Napoleon ever made was painted by Etienne Bouhot, capturing the emperor’s visit to the Cognac market in Bercy, France, where he acquired a few barrels of his favourite Cognac: Courvoisier. </p>