PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Naud family has been distilling in Pons, on the Charentais hillsides of France's Cognac region, since 1923, when Émile Perrier first founded the house. Five generations later, the operation remains genuinely family-run, now guided by Jean-Michel Naud and his son Pierre, distilling over five traditional copper pot stills heated directly over open flame — a method increasingly rare in modern Cognac production, where most houses have long since moved to more efficient, less labor-intensive heating systems. The house maintains ten cellars and roughly 5,500 Limousin oak barrels, ranging from 350 to 400 liters each, giving Naud the flexibility to produce spirits with genuinely varied profiles across its range.
This VSOP undergoes double distillation in the presence of fine lees — a traditional technique that contributes real roundness and aromatic depth to the finished eau-de-vie — before aging in French oak casks beyond the minimum VSOP requirement of four years, developing the auburn color and layered complexity that distinguishes the house's style from more industrially produced Cognacs.
Wine Enthusiast awarded a genuine 91 Points, describing "sprightly stone fruit and almond aromas" enticing the nose, with "the soft palate" opening "with lush hints of black cherry, toasted almond, and hazelnut, winding into a finish laced with cayenne sting." The Liquor Barn's extended tasting confirms similar character, describing the nose opening "with sprightly stone fruit and almond before evolving into a floral bouquet of lavender and orange blossom," with "vanilla and gingerbread spices" emerging with time in the glass, "the vanilla deepening into a cookie-like sweetness," the palate entering "soft and supple, with lush black cherry and toasted almond leading into a rich mid-palate of hazelnut and peach." Master of Malt's tasting found it "very rich and woody, with yellow plum, dried figs and raisins," with "crushed almonds and vanilla" emerging further. This bottling also earned a genuine Double Gold Medal at the 2019 ADI International Spirits Competition — real, independently judged confirmation of quality behind a house that's spent a full century perfecting exactly this kind of open-flame, fine-lees traditional Cognac.
Naud VSOP Cognac is produced by the Naud family, whose distillery is based in Pons, in the Charente-Maritime department of France's Cognac region, with roots dating to 1923, when the house was founded by Émile Perrier. Now in its fifth generation, the operation is led by Jean-Michel Naud and his son Pierre, running five traditional copper pot stills heated over open flame, alongside ten cellars holding approximately 5,500 Limousin oak barrels.
The VSOP undergoes double distillation in traditional copper pot stills, in the presence of fine lees, a technique that builds roundness and aromatic richness into the finished eau-de-vie. Following distillation, the spirit ages in French oak casks beyond the minimum four-year VSOP requirement, under the direction of the house's Cellar Master, who determines the final blend. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof.
Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points:
"Sprightly stone fruit and almond aromas entice the nose. The soft palate opens with lush hints of black cherry, toasted almond, and hazelnut, winding into a finish laced with cayenne sting."
Double Gold Medal — 2019 ADI International Spirits Competition
Master of Malt (extended tasting note):
"Very rich and woody, with yellow plum, dried figs and raisins. Crushed almonds and vanilla emerge."
TasteAtlas:
"The profile combines ripe stone fruit, dried grape and gentle floral notes with touches of vanilla, toasted oak and soft spice. On the palate it is smooth and rounded, with a structured mouthfeel and a lingering, harmonious finish."
Maison du Whisky (official tasting note):
"Color: Auburn with brilliant golden reflections. Nose: Elegant and delicately vanilla-flavoured, complemented by aromas of dried fruit and sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). Palate: Supple and fruity, evolving towards notes of orange and peach completed by a woody touch."
Nose
Auburn with brilliant golden reflections. Sprightly stone fruit and almond lead, developing into a floral bouquet of lavender and orange blossom, alongside dried fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, deepening into cookie-like sweetness with time in the glass.
Palate
Soft and supple, with lush black cherry and toasted almond leading into a rich mid-palate of hazelnut and peach, alongside orange and a woody touch. Yellow plum, dried fig, and raisin add further depth.
Finish
Lingering and harmonious, closing with a cayenne sting and lasting warm spice — a genuinely structured, well-balanced finish.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | VSOP Cognac |
| ABV / Proof | 40% ABV / 80 Proof |
| Aging | Beyond the minimum 4-year VSOP requirement, French oak |
| Distillation | Double distilled, traditional copper pot stills over open flame, in the presence of fine lees |
| Producer | Naud family — Pons, Charente-Maritime, France |
| Founded | 1923, by Émile Perrier |
| Family Generation | 5th — Jean-Michel Naud & son Pierre |
| Cellars | 10 cellars, ~5,500 Limousin oak barrels |
| Critics | Wine Enthusiast 91 Points |
| Awards | Double Gold Medal, 2019 ADI International Spirits Competition |
| Style / Identity | A rich, structured, traditionally distilled VSOP — genuine open-flame pot still character |
| Aromas & Flavors | Stone fruit, black cherry, toasted almond, hazelnut, orange, peach, cayenne |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cognac Julep
(the house's own recipe)
2 oz Naud VSOP Cognac · 4 fresh mint leaves, lightly crushed · ⅓ oz simple syrup · a few drops of bitters, served over crushed ice in a julep cup, garnished with mint.
Neat — genuinely well-suited to pure sipping.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
