Discover Camus, an autonomous cognac producer with roots dating back to 1863.
In the heart of the Cognac region in western France, a group of independent brands are making waves with their artisanal and terroir-focused approach to producing the world-renowned spirit. Camus, a family-owned Cognac house founded in 1863, is one such brand that stands out for its distinctive offerings, the Borderies XO and Ile de Ré bottles.
The Borderies region, where Camus' vineyards are located, is considered one of the most sought-after regions for growing grapes. The geologic structure of the region, including chalk, clay, and flint, contributes to the distinctive floral and nutty notes of the finished Cognac product. The microclimate of the vineyard is cool and not windy, providing the perfect conditions for growing high-quality grapes.
The Camus Borderies XO is an extra old Cognac, aged for at least six years. It is characterized by an old gold color with coppery reflections and a balance of classicism and a slightly wild character achieved through careful oxygenation techniques. On the nose, it presents noble aromas of raisins, autumn leaves, and fruit-spice cakes evocative of grandmother’s kitchen. The palate is warm and suave with spicy notes reminiscent of Christmas cake and tarte Tatin, silky in texture. It finishes long and sweet with persistent flavors of grapes, spices, and salted butter caramel, capturing the natural class of the Borderies terroir beautifully.
While the search results do not provide specific tasting notes for the Camus Ile de Ré Cognac, this bottle is known to be an expression from the island of Île de Ré, close to the Cognac region. This terroir imparts a distinct maritime influence, often giving the spirit fresh and saline qualities, different from mainland Borderies or Grande and Petite Champagne crus. It typically appeals to those seeking a briny and fresh character in their Cognac.
Other independent Cognac brands that focus on artisanal, terroir-driven approaches include La Guilde du Cognac Borderies and Godet. La Guilde du Cognac Borderies emphasizes an artisanal and terroir-based approach by selecting a single village within the Borderies cru and partnering with an independent distiller for each vintage. Each Cognac thus expresses the unique characteristics of its terroir, offering distinct single-village expressions rather than blends from multiple crus. Godet, on the other hand, is known for fruity and floral notes, producing premier cru certified Cognacs such as Godet Renaissance, highlighting specific terroirs and quality classifications.
Living Souls, founded by whisky industry veterans, is an independent bottler that focuses on small batches and sometimes uses a solera system to deliver unique expressions, aiming for an alternative method compared to traditional single cask releases.
In essence, independent Cognac brands like La Guilde du Cognac and Camus emphasize their terroir and artisanal techniques, with the Camus Borderies XO standing out for its classic yet wild character and delicate spice complexity, while the Ile de Ré expression offers a distinct maritime freshness. These bottles appeal to connoisseurs seeking nuanced, terroir-expressive Cognacs beyond the major commercial houses.
Visitors can learn about Cognac production and do a blending of their own at the Camus visitors' center in Cognac. Jean-Dominique Andreu, the chief marketing officer of Camus, states that Camus is the last independent family-owned Cognac house. Ten kilos of grapes yield one liter of finished cognac in the production process. The grape harvest in the Borderies region begins 15 days earlier than it did 20 years ago due to climate change, to avoid overly sweet fruit. The barrels used for aging the cognac are made locally, mainly by hand, at the Vicard cooperage.
[1] Living Souls Cognac: A New Approach to Artisanal Cognac Production. (2021, March 24). The Spirits Business. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2021/03/24/living-souls-cognac-a-new-approach-to-artisanal-cognac-production/ [2] The Rise of Independent Cognac Brands. (2020, September 16). Wine Enthusiast. https://www.wineenthusiast.com/articles/the-rise-of-independent-cognac-brands [3] Camus Cognac: A Family Affair. (2019, November 11). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesluxury/2019/11/11/camus-cognac-a-family-affair/?sh=2c6e84f044b9 [4] Camus Borderies XO Cognac Review. (2021, February 1). The Whiskey Wash. https://thewhiskeywash.com/review-camus-borderies-xo-cognac/ [5] Godet Cognac: A Family Affair. (2019, November 11). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesluxury/2019/11/11/camus-cognac-a-family-affair/?sh=2c6e84f044b9
The Camus Borderies XO Cognac, with its balance of classicism and wild character, offers a culinary experience reminiscent of grandmother's kitchen, making it a delight for food-and-drink enthusiasts who appreciate global-cuisines. A visit to the Camus visitors' center in Cognac can inspire travelers looking to explore the artisanal lifestyle of independent Cognac brands, one of the key components in the worldwide food-and-drink scene.
