Cognac's X.O. Grade: Kilian Hennessy

Hugs, Kisses and Cognac

Once upon a Monday, Hans and I would educate ourselves amongst the company of the utmost knowledgeable, on all things beverage. One of our first learning experiences together, was slow sipping a delicious selection of cognac's from Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne & Borderies.

Most people know and often refer to cognac as, Hennessy, and rightfully so, as Hennessy & Co. sells roughly 50 million bottles a year worldwide, and accounts for about 40 percent of the world’s cognac, in turn making it the world's largest cognac producer. The cognac's we had the pleasure to smell, sip and scribble notes on, one fine Monday, were of a wonderful producer, making a truly special spirit.

Although Hennessy is dominant in the cognac industry, it too has a small and special role, if not in the spirits industry, within the world of fragrance.

Kilian Hennessy, heir to 'the kings' of cognac and grandson to the founder of LVMH, is cognac's X.O. grade, working in the industry long enough and foreseeing a fine future. To cognac drinkers and distillate enthusiasts this grade designates a blend where the youngest brandy has been stored for at least four years in cask but usually ages to 20 years or upwards.

Spending most of his life around aging barrels and the life of luxury, Kilian, churns out a compounded line of fragrances that mirror the complexities of a fine brandy.

Kilian, who's been in the fragrance game for 15 years and running, has at last, completed his primary line entitled, L'Oeuvre Noire. This August, Kilian released the tenth and final fragrance of the collection; Sweet Redemption. Created by perfumer Calice Becker, (who is outstanding in her own right, although she has no link to cognac's crown, only a strong working relationship with its heir), Sweet Redemption is by far (in my humble opinion) the most profound of them all.

I don't like to play favorites, but I can't help it, opening with Orange Blossom, Becker confronts the nose head on with what she knows best, indubitable floral accords. To me, Sweet Redemption is the Grand Marnier of fragrances, as it's rounded out with bergamot, broom flower and vanilla for a smooth subtlety.

Visit, bykilian.com to purchase By Kilian fragrances or to learn more.

Free-Flowing, Fat-Washed Booze

Distillation is one of the great technologies of mankind (and womenkind, for that matter). Our ancestors' stills were right beside them through war, famine, plague, and the rise and fall of many an empire (how much these events were influenced by what came out of those stills is up for debate).

Unlike so many of our technological progressions -lead paint, VHS, and these curious things. Stills throughout most history have been small "pot stills" that result in small-batch, characterful liquor; these stills remain relevant in Strathspey, Oaxaca, Cognac, and anywhere else fine craftsmen craft fine spirits.

Not to say there haven't been advances in efficiency; the spirit of industrialization begot the industrialization of spirits through the column still. This innovation opened the flood gates of cheap, approachable, mostly inoffensive liquors.

And with the free-flow of booze came a free-flow of folks hoping to earn a little money. Thus we see the rise of the bar and its keeper, a concept that soon spread globally and flourished creatively. From the standard punches, slings, and toddies sprang forth cock-tails, crustas, daisies, and all kind of delicious libation and techniques.

And this is where Norma's "enfleurage" reminded me of a similar cocktail technique known as "fat-washing." Though it sounds much more vulgar than its French equivalent, the process is similar. A spirit is mixed with an edible, liquefied fat then cooled; the hardened fat is strained off, leaving the spirit with a rich texture and essence of the fat's flavor.

For a great example of this and other innovative cocktail workings, read about Tailor's Eben Freeman.

-Hans Chan

Classic Techniques vs Advanced Technology: Enfleurage vs Distillation

Flower Life with Time, Effort and Thoughtfulness.

When considering being in a long distance relationship, one has to contemplate, how are we going to keep in touch? Should we write lengthy hand written letters to one another? Send them out by post mail, stamp and all? Or should it be all digital, all day (literally)? This is the age of the all inclusive, Internet, why write letters when there's access to video chatting and instant messaging?

Setting ourselves aside, we bring to you this thoughtful blog, advanced technology at it's best. A way to share our thoughts with one another, with out being bogged down by the typical communication politics than can arise when communicating long distances. That said, there's something romantic about receiving a note from the one you love, it looks like them with their handwriting, it might even smell like them. So who's to say we're doing it right? But we're trying.

Getting to the goods; I parallel this thought process into my industry. Should the fragrance industry be extracting with the newest, most technical machinery to date in order to create the purest fragrances, or would it be worth it for the industry to look back into older processes of sourcing?

Merci beaucoup chimistes français. Yup, your about to get a French Lesson! In Enfleurage (a la the French), flower petals are laid out on trays of fat, where they remain until the fat has absorbed most all of the fragrance, at which point the flowers are changed out and fresh flowers lay on the same bed of fat. After time, the fat becomes saturated with the floral aromatic, which then is sponged off the fat with baths of alcohol.

The process is all done by hand and can take quite awhile. Main components are the flowers, fresh from harvest; the fat or the coprs - which means, the body (french 101 people), which is composed of purified tallow and two parts lard; chassis that are specialized wooden frames that house the processes described above. It also takes a boatload of patience, time and effort - as do all, good things - right?

Distillation, most commonly used today, is a very simple process (that I'm sure most are familiar with, so I wont bore you with more than this): converting essential oils into vapors and then back in to liquid form. There are three types: water distillation;
water and steam distillation; and direct steam distillation. True that Distillation is not technically, advanced technology, as it's been used and perfected in the fragrance world for decades, however, there are some new wild distillation processes and technology that are indeed, technical.

Direct steam distillation, is the most costly, but the most effective. It's Amount of steam can be readily controlled and there is no thermal decomposition of oil constituents, or essential parts. Because steam is generated in a satellite boiler, the plant material is heated no higher than 100° C and, consequently, it should not undergo thermal degradation. See it's all very technical, scientific and complex. But I, like you, are learning.

A Modern Steam Still aka Super Duper Advanced Technology

I am not so sure that there can be a conclusion drawn here, but you tell me. I am satisfied with the distillation lesson and hope you are too. Hopefully your next lesson will relate to the distillates industry, their classic techinqiues vs. advanced technology. As always, feel free to email us at headsheartsandtails@gmail.com with any questions or comments!

Ethereal Approach to Our First Post: Industries and Identities

When I think of the fragrance industry today, and it's massive appeal to consumers and businesses alike, I get a bit disheartened as I look towards my career and long term goals. A billion dollar industry, that has been marketed, masked and made readily available for arrogant appeal. The allure that spraying on the latest Givenchy fragrance will increase ones social clout, is disgusting.

This is the way I view perfume; overpriced, over promoted bottles of bullshit that smell identical to the ones sitting beside it.

When I think of relationships, I instantly feel trapped. A battle between two beings to come together and live their lives, in one harmonious state. A heart break waiting to happen.

This is the way I view relationships; massively abused, unreasonable commitments, arrogant assholes who deceive themselves and others, identical to many other couples.

Cynicism aside, I take perfume into a new perspective. A guide for ones individuality, an invisible portrait of ones self, a creation of expression, a release of emotions, guidance into ones soul. I hope to explore all of these bursting sentiments in my posts that follow. Describing a feeling, connecting with a moment in time, that seeps deep within the imagination of myself, Daniel and you, the reader.

I find this to be applicable to the way I view my new relationship. I open up to the idea of honesty, exploration, unconditional compromise and meaningful commitment.

What does the distillate industry say to this sentiment? Is their ever lasting depth to the trade that inspires you everyday? Does your individual passion set you aside from the cluttered shelves of spirits and such? Tell on.