A new cognac has been launched by Renault that has been specifically developed for drinking with coffee.
Called Renault Avec after the French word for “with”, it has enhanced notes of roasted mocha and vanilla and a structure that is smooth and round, making it a perfect partner for coffee.
Developed by Renault’s cellar master David Croizet, it was inspired by one of Cognac Renault’s strongest markets, the Nordic countries, where asking for “a coffee with” is shorthand for “a coffee with cognac”.
Croizet has designed the new bottling to offer “enhanced notes of roasted mocha and vanilla and a structure that is smooth and round”.
Croizet and his team achieved the taste profile by plunging barrels into tanks containing hot water before being brasero toasted – burning the interiors of the staves on a fire.
The operation is repeated three times to achieve the precise aromas – a form of torrefaction that has never been done before in making barrels for cognac.
David said: “We have created a taste that is totally new to Renault and has never been seen in cognac before. Our signature style has always been a balance of fruit and spice. I wanted to see if we could achieve specific aromas with notes of torrefaction: roasted notes of mocha and vanillin.
“On the palate, Avec is incredibly smooth and soft. We were not looking for a big, powerful cognac but one that complements good coffee.”
Jérôme Durand, managing director of Cognac Renault, said “This is a totally new take on Cognac. We wanted to simplify the labelling and get away from the traditional strictures of age designation, which are often lost on the consumer and even some professionals.”
Avec has been developed not just for the traditional on-trade but also for cafés and coffee shops.
“Avec has been created to be served in the new generation of coffee houses that are looking to have licences and provide the ‘third space’ for younger people living in crowded urban areas with no space at home,” Jérôme explained.
