🥃 Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Quintessence
The oldest Grand Marnier line: Hors d'Âge cognacs aged 25 to 70 years from Grande Champagne; 40% ABV per Difford's Guide.
Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Quintessence is the oldest Grand Marnier line, made from old family stocks. According to the producer, its base is Hors d'Âge cognacs aged up to 70 years, from Grande Champagne only, and it is served in a Baccarat crystal carafe. Difford's Guide gives its strength as 40% ABV.
Production. The producer describes a blend from 11 casks, including two from 1947, and three demijohns from Paradis, which are probably older still. Difford's Guide gives the cognac age as 25 to 70 years: the 'double perfume' is made by macerating orange peel in plain distillate and redistilling it; everything is blended and rests for 12 months in small French oak casks. The 2022 Baccarat carafe replaced the original bottle.
Why it matters to you. Quintessence is a collector's line, not an everyday liqueur; the producer suggests drinking it neat in a glass, paired with dark chocolate with orange peel. The age of the cognacs does not change the strength, which is the same as Cordon Rouge. Compare it with Révélation by composition. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| EU category | 33 - liqueur |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I, cat. 33 (liqueur) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (per Difford's Guide) |
| Raw material | Hors d'Âge cognacs from Grande Champagne aged 25 to 70 years, 'double perfume' (orange), sugar |
| Cask type | small French oak casks (per Difford's Guide) |
| Minimum maturation | 12 months in small casks after blending; cognacs from 25 years (per Difford's Guide) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Quintessence → kind of → 🍸 Liqueurs → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Hors d'âge cognac
- Packed in
- 🐝 French oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Cognac
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Grand Marnier, 🍸 Liqueurs
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire, 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis-Alexandre, 🥃 Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge, 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire, 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis-Alexandre, 🥃 Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Révélation, 🥃 Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Révélation
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Quintessence contains cognacs up to 70 years old?
According to the producer, the base is Hors d'Âge cognacs up to 70 years old from Grande Champagne; Difford's Guide gives a range of 25 to 70 years.
How long is it matured after blending?
According to Difford's Guide, 12 months in small French oak casks.
What is the strength of Quintessence?
According to Difford's Guide, 40% ABV; check the label.
What to read next
- 🥃 Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge — Core Grand Marnier line: cognac, orange liqueur and a little sugar; 40% ABV; about 51% cognac per Difford's Guide.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire — Grand Marnier line on XO cognac from Grande and Petite Champagne, created in 1927; 40% ABV; 82% cognac.
- 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis-Alexandre — Grand Marnier line on VSOP cognac aged in Tronçais oak; 40% ABV according to Difford's Guide.
Similar
🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée du Centenaire · 🥃 Grand Marnier Cuvée Louis-Alexandre · 🥃 Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Révélation · 🥃 Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge · 🥃 Martell Cordon Bleu · 🥃 Martell VS
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Grand Marnier Quintessence (40 %; cognacs 25 to 70 years from Grande Champagne; 12 months in small French oak casks)
- Grand Marnier (brand site): Grande Cuvée Quintessence (11 barrels incl. two from 1947; Hors d'Âge cognacs up to 70 years old; Baccarat decanter)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I (whisky; liqueur)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)