Cognac History

The history of cognac traces back to the 16th century in the Cognac region of France, evolving from necessity into a globally revered spirit. Dutch merchants, trading salt and wine along the Charente River, began distilling local wines—prone to spoilage during sea voyages—into “brandewijn” (burnt wine), laying the groundwork for brandy. By the 17th century, double distillation in Charentais copper stills refined this into eau-de-vie, and aging in oak barrels, sourced from nearby Limousin forests, transformed it into the smooth, amber cognac we know today. The 18th century saw pioneers like Jean Martell and Richard Hennessy establish houses that branded cognac as a luxury export, fueled by British and American demand. Formalized in 1909 with a protected appellation, cognac’s journey from medieval vineyards to aristocratic courts reflects centuries of innovation, terroir, and trade.