Monnet XO Flamboyant Cognac 700ml

Maison Monnet was founded in 1838 in Jarnac and became known in the twentieth century through Leonetto Cappiello's iconic poster art, which cast the house as "sunshine in a glass." Monnet built its reputation on small-batch distillation and a lighter hand with oak than many of its peers, sourcing from its own Salamandre estate and other vineyards to let the natural character of the fruit come through rather than let heavy wood dominate.

XO Flamboyant is a slow blend of eaux-de-vie drawn primarily from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, distilled on the lees for added aromatic depth. It matures in Limousin oak casks in the house's Jarnac cellars for well beyond the ten-year minimum required for the XO classification, with some editions of the blend aging past seventeen years, giving the cellar master ample material to build complexity while preserving Monnet's signature balance and finesse.

The color is a burnished gold with hints of shimmering red. On the nose, spice and dried fruit meet ground coffee, chocolate, and gingerbread. The palate is round and generous, layering licorice, nuts, and candied fruit into a long, warming finish. It is best enjoyed slowly, neat or on the rocks, and pairs naturally with a fine cigar for those who want to extend the tasting.