Cognac Reviews

Pierre Ferrand Ambre Review

September 25, 2024

Pierre Ferrand Ambre

About Cognac Ferrand

Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac is produced on the Ferrand estate located in the heart of the Grande Champagne growing cru, the most sought after appellation in Cognac. Pierre Ferrand’s 27 hectares are among the finest in Grand Champagne. Pierre Ferrand produces only Grand Champagne Cognacs or cognacs crafted exclusively from grapes grown in the chalky soils of the Grand Champagne Appellation d’origine contrôlée designation. The Logis d’Angeac is the Cognac Ferrand distillery which is located at the center of the family’s vineyards in Grande Champagne.

The Cognac Ferrand offices and blending hall are located at the Chateau de Bonbonnet in Ars in the Cognac region of France. The Chateau de Bonbonnet was formerly owned by the Martell Family and is now also where Cognac Ferrand’s Master Blender A. Gabriel resides.

Pierre Ferrand is producer of a wide-range of Champagne Cognacs, including, Pierre Ferrand Cognac 1840 Original Formula, Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac, Pierre Ferrand Esprit des Dieux, Pierre Ferrand Cognac Selection Des Anges and Pierre Ferrand Abel Cognac.

The Pierre Ferrand Ambre Review

We tasted Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac neat in a cognac snifter. Here is our review.

Price

Pierre Ferrand Ambre Cognac is priced higher than any of the big four (Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell & Courvoisier) Cognac Houses’ V.S.O.P. offerings but lower than any of their X.O. offerings.

Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)

Age:

Pierre Ferrand Ambre is a blend of eaux-de-vie made from Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes from the Grande Champagne appellation. The eaux-de-vie is aged ten years in French Quercus Sessiliflora (Tronçais) oak barrels. While Pierre Ferrand Ambre could be designated an X.O. Cognac, the family markets it as 1er Cru De Cognac.

The Bottle/Label

Pierre Ferrand Ambre is packaged in a clear top down tapered Cognaçaise style bottle bottle (see above and below) At the neck is a gold band with the initials “PF”. On the front there is an embossed glass circle in which the Cognac Pierre Ferrand logo label site and reads “Cognac Pierre Ferrand” “Cognac Grand Champagne” “Appellation Cognac Grand Champagne contrôlée”. In the center of the bottle raised painted gold letters read “Cognac Grand Champagne” “1er Cru De Cognac” “Appellation Cognac Grand Champagne contrôlée”. Towards the bottom of the bottle there is a label in an embossed square that reads “Ambre” “Product of France” with an image of Chateau de Bonbonnet in the background. On the back of the bottle are the embossed initials “PF” and a label with a note from A. Gabriel titled “The Beauty is in the Grapes”

The Color

Light amber.

The Nose (Nez)

Orange, floral rose and violet.

Mouth (En Bouche)

While aged for ten years, Pierre Ferrand Ambre is less tannic than other similarly aged Cognacs due to aging in Tronçais oak barrels which have a tighter grain and are less porous than Limosin Oak barrels which are more commonly used for aging most Cognacs. Bright flavors citrus and green tea flavors are evident with light wood spice.

Finish

Very long finish of orange, turning vanilla/almond then black pepper.

Overall

Pierre Ferrand Ambre is in a class of its own. Aged as long or longer than many currently marketed X.O. Cognacs, this Cognac is delicate, elegant and has a youthful freshness of a V.S. with some of the complexities of an X.O. As, such this Cognac is ideal for sipping and mixing. We tried it with a splash of ginger ale and a twist of lime to great effect. The price is a bonus too, just slightly more expensive than a big four V.S.O.P. Cognac.

Awards:

Gold Medal at the Cognac Masters (December 2009)
Gold Medal with 91/100 – Beverage Testing Institute (2009)