Bisquit & Dubouché, the award-winning cognac brand with over 200 years of history, invited guests to their A Story to Sip brand immersion experience on 16 October 2023. The exclusive event unfolded at Gemelli restaurant in Bryanston, where attendees were treated to a curated menu and a journey through Bisquit & Dubouché’s portfolio, expertly guided by Ambassadeur Global De La Maison, Vincent Chappe.
Guests were welcomed by master of ceremonies, Lubabalo Mxalisa, who is one half of Neimil, a design and lifestyle brand dedicated to sharing authentic African narratives. Gemelli, founded by Alessandro Mosupi Khojane, provided the perfect setting for the affair. Renowned for its dedication to delivering exceptional cuisine, its ambiance served as the ideal backdrop for the evening’s festivities—which included a mesmerising performance by Muneyi. Muneyi, a Tshivenda indie-folk singer, moved the audience with his beautiful sound that draws inspiration from his grandmother, the world around him, human behaviour, love, and his upbringing.
As the night unfolded, guests were guided through a tasting where Vincent Chappe began to unravel the A Story to Sip narrative. With a wealth of knowledge accumulated over more than four decades in the world of cognac, Vincent hails from a long line of artisans and has played a pivotal role in preserving Bisquit & Dubouché’s legacy.
The first variant introduced was Bisquit & Dubouché VS (Very Special), served frozen to showcase the brand’s willingness to experiment and push boundaries. This exquisite expression embodies the essence of Bisquit & Dubouché’s heritage and innovative distillation techniques. The VS style is characterised by its softness and freshness, offering a bouquet of aromas centred around fresh fruits, particularly pear and plum. These notes are complemented by floral accents, interwoven with deeper, more complex hints of rich spices, wood, and vanilla.
After a thoughtfully paired starter of seared salmon with beetroot textures, Bisquit & Dubouché ponzu, and dill, guests were served a palate cleanser of citrus sorbet. Then, Vincent introduced them to Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), a refined expression within the Bisquit & Dubouché portfolio. To earn the distinction of Very Superior Old Pale, this cognac undergoes a minimum ageing process of four years. The eaux de vie (grape spirits) used are sourced primarily from four distinct crus (high-quality vineyards): Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fin Bois, and Bon Bois.
The nose is characterised by ripe fruits, particularly dry apricot and honey, accompanied by cinnamon and clove. The aroma is further enhanced by subtle floral nuances, including rose. The taste experience of Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP is truly something to savour, with supple notes of honeysuckle, citrus, and mango at the forefront. The VSOP was paired with a main course of Dubouché Duck—cured duck breast, broccoli puree, parsnips, and a cherry Bisquit & Dubouché jus.
The evening was rounded off with a guided tasting of Bisquit & Dubouché XO (Extra Old), the pinnacle of the brand’s craftsmanship. To earn the Extra Old designation, this cognac undergoes a minimum ageing process of 10 years. What sets Bisquit & Dubouché XO apart is its use of the most prestigious eaux de vie from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus, renowned for producing some of the finest cognacs in the world. The extended ageing period in French oak barrels further enhances the complexity of this exceptional cognac.
In addition to its exceptional taste and quality, the new packaging of Bisquit & Dubouché XO showcases the brand’s commitment to innovation and style. The bottle, characterised by its solid shape, conveys strength and confidence while the revamped logotype prominently features the name of co-founder Adrien Dubouché. This bold design is unafraid to challenge the status quo and rewrite the traditional codes of cognac presentation.
The bouquet of aromas tell a story of sophistication, characterised by a core of wood along with smoky notes of tobacco and cocoa. Plum, mocha, cedar wood, and liquorice are at the forefront of the flavour, creating a taste that evolves with every Sip to Savour. The Bisquit & Dubouché XO was paired with Chocolate Dubouché for dessert—a mouthwatering creation with Amarena cherry, dark chocolate Bisquit mousse, a dark chocolate mirror glaze, and white chocolate soil.
The Bisquit & Dubouché brand immersion experience at Gemelli was a testament to the brand’s two centuries of unwavering commitment to excellence, and reaffirmed their continuous quest for innovation in the world of cognac. To keep up with Bisquit & Dubouché and A Story to Sip online, follow Bisquit & Dubouché on Instagram.
