A Cognac Collection Bar None - Hôtel Chais Monnet

Whether you’re a Cognac connoisseur or a total novice, discover the art and science of this sophisticated liquor by visiting Hôtel Chais Monnet where you’ll have an experience bar none!

That’s because the property is home to the French city’s largest Cognac bar stocking over 400 varieties of the famed tipple. And if you visit between October and March your trip will be even more special since this is the key distillation period of the year.

Cognac is made by twice distilling white wine from the surrounding Charente region, in copper pot stills and ageing it for at least two years in French oak barrels.

And to make sure visitors have a high old time, the Hôtel Chais Monnet's team will be on hand to organise private tours, brandy tastings and food and Cognac pairings at some of the city’s 250 local Cognac houses.

The hotel is located in the former ageing cellars and barrel cooperage of the Monnet Cognac house, which has been lovingly transformed by architect Didier Poignant into the region’s most luxurious hotel.

It is said to ooze character and charm, showcasing the building’s original industrial function, seen most prominently in the property’s fine-dining restaurant Les Foudres where tables are surrounded by immense Cognac barrels from the original Cognac cellars.

The hotel’s jazz bar, Le 1838, stocks some of the world’s most loved Cognac brands, such as Rémy Martin and Courvoisier, as well as lesser-known, small-batch Cognacs. The bar staff are experts in their trade and are able to provide in-depth knowledge on Cognac tasting and production, for guests wanting to learn more.

Ensuring that guests experience all that Cognac has to offer, guests are encouraged to use the hotel’s Citroen 2CVs or Jaguars to explore the region’s vineyards and local Cognac houses, with winemakers, distillers and the famed maisons de négoces (cognac merchants) open for visits.

During the distillation period, Hôtel Chais Monnet offers guests the chance to discover the vineyards, the distilleries and the ageing cellars at some of the most renowned Cognac producers, such as Hennessy and Otard. For brandy aficionados, bottle your own special house blend at the Martell Cognac house.

Nightly rates from €230/£196* per room, room only. For more information please visit www.chaismonnethotel.com/en/

*Prices correct at time of going to print