Distillerie du Peyrat
The Pioneer of Organic Cognac
The Distillerie du Peyrat has distilled Cognacs for several decades but the family has been present as distillers in the Charentes region since 1705. After having distilled Cognac for bigger, well known brands, the owner, Jean-François Rault, decided to produce and market his own Cognac with a rather unique specialization in the Cognac area: the production of Organic Cognacs.
Distillerie du Peyrat produces exclusively 100% organic Cognacs. Located in a small village 10km East of Cognac on the banks of a river, du Peyrat produces, distills and ages their eaux de vie with the respect of the environment and the intense expression of the terroir.
Production Highlights
Location of the vineyard: in the Fins Bois delimited area of production, just a few km away from the delimited Grande Champagne area, also known as the first cru.
Terroir: because of its proximity to the Grande Champagne area, the vineyard benefits from 2 terroirs, producing assemblages (blends) that have strength and fullness, but will yet be round, supple and mature quicker than cognacs from the Grande Champagne.
Production: about 160,000 bottles per year
House style: subtle, fruity
Organic and More
Distillerie du Peyrat Cognac is certified organic by the USDA, and the strict European organization, Ecocert. They are also committed to:
GMO-Free Production
Protecting the natural habitat and biodiversity
Adopting the use of recycled paper.
Recycling distillation residue
Have installed 300 meters of solar panels to date
Organic Selection
Highlights
NEW PACKAGING! A blend of young and lively cognacs; fresh and surprisingly round due to a special, fatty distillation process.
Aromas are redolent of ripe juicy apricots with hints of tropical fruits.
Rich and sweet in the mouth, flavors are pristine and focused with stone fruit, white tea and fresh flowers shining through. Smooth and balanced.
Organic Selection is a great choice to drink on its own, but also shines as a base for cocktails!
Reviews
90 points. Excellent/Highly Recommended. Great Value!
"The nose here shows a rich tapestry of pastry notes like fig tart, creme caramel, shortbread, and candied apple. Dry on the palate with more baked notes of roasted pear and hazelnuts, this finishes with sweet lemon curd and allspice." (Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2023)
93 points
Wine Enthusiast, 2015
92 points, Great value
"Aromas are redolent of ripe juicy apricots with hints of tropical fruit. Rich and sweet in the mouth, flavors are pristine and focused with stone fruit, white tea and fresh flowers shining through. Smooth and balanced. Excellent, highly recommended." Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2015
Organic Rare Prestige
Tasting Highlights
NEW PACKAGING!
A minimum of 7 years old.
The nose is generous with vanilla, plum and apricot aromas, whilst the palate is refined, beautifully round, light and mellow.
Enjoy this Rare Prestige in a variety of ways: neat, on the rocks, with a mixer or as a delicious component in a cocktail.
Reviews
95 Points / Best of 2017
"This easy-drinking Cognac smells like dessert—think caramel, baked pear and marzipan. Fleeting sweetness on the feather-light palate echoes those aromas as delicious vanilla, almond and creamy flan wind into a zingy citrus finish accented by ginger." (Wine Enthusiast, 2017)
Highly Recommended / 4 stars
"Entry is keenly dry, almost astringent, as the high level of acidity maintains the sturdy structure, allowing the fruit and oak to merge into a tasty flavor profile that’s nearly smoky in its ripeness. Midpalate shows maturity, elegance, and a supple, creamery butter-like roundness that reaches deep into the aftertaste.” (2017 Rating, Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits, 2021)
91 points (Cigar & Spirits Magazine, 2014)
Excellent! 90 Points (Ultimate Spirit Challenge, 2010)
Highly Recommended / 4 stars (Paul Pacult, The Spirit Journal, 2009)
Organic XO Classic
Tasting Highlights
A minimum of 10 years.
This blend of organic cognacs gathers the best of Fins-Bois and Petite-Champagne crus taking roots in the cognac region whilst showcasing the aromatic potential of Folle Blanche grape variety paired with Ugni-blanc.
To achieve a wide palette of aromas and a great maturation potential, this XO Cognac has been distilled in our traditional charentais pot-stills using wine lies and following our signature fatty distillation process.
Vine, oak, time and a bit of craftsmanship make this cognac a classic for anyone wishing to discover the world of XOs while supporting a respectful and sustainable approach to winegrowing.
Tasting Notes
Color: Golden Dark Amber
Nose : Rich, spicy, hints of walnuts
Palate : very soft, with elements of died fruits and chocolate
Reviews
92 points
“Golden in the glass, the dried apricot aroma includes a smoky tinge. The palate echoes the dried apricot note, layering it with vanilla, cinnamon and clove. It finishes rounded and mouthwatering.”
(Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 2020)
Press
-
![Preview page of French Brandy article with a bottle lineup below the title]()
Essential French Brandies: A Primer
A lot of questions abound about French brandies, especially Armagnac and Calvados. But myths and misconceptions arise even around France’s most famous Brandy export, Cognac.
-
![Three men stand in a vineyard in France, two dark-haired sons on either side of white-haired father]()
Small French Distilleries Lead the Way in Organic Spirits
Organically produced spirits such as cognac, whiskey, and calvados were practically unheard of a few years ago. But that is all changing with small, French-owned craft distilleries playing a big role in this healthy transition.
-
![Three men stand in a vineyard in France, two dark-haired sons on either side of white-haired father]()
With Respect to the Environment
Distillerie du Peyrat Produces Organic Cognacs Under the Watchful Eye of the Rault Family
-
![Three men stand in a vineyard in France, two dark-haired sons on either side of white-haired father]()
The Rault Family Is Making Organic Cognacs at The Distillerie du Peyrat
The Distillerie du Peyrat has distilled Cognacs for several decades but the family has been present as distillers in the Charentes region since 1705.
-
![Image of cognac bottle and cut crystal glass with headline]()
Top 14 Brandies Perfect for Cocktails
There’s plenty to love about brandy. From its variety to its versatility, it is hard to get bored of this aqua vitae. That’s because brandy isn’t just for sipping after dinner with your pinkies up—it is a spirit that loves to buddy up with its cocktail-ingredient friends as a mixer. Seriously, brandy can easily finagle its way into any cocktail lover’s life.
-
![Close up on champagne glass with reddish cocktail garnished with two raspberries and Creme de Cassis bottle]()
3 Cognac Cocktails To Ring In The New Year
There are plenty of cocktails you can toast the new year with, but this year, we’re opting for cognac-based drinks that are easy to mix and easier to drink.
-
![White-haired man in glasses and white shirt showing off vines in the vineyard]()
Eau Naturel: Jean-François Rault, Pioneer of Organic Cognac
Marion Sauvebois heads to Charente to meet Jean-François Rault, a pioneer of organic cognac – and all-round free spirit
