Naud VS 750ML

Naud VS Cognac 750ML is a 40% ABV Very Special cognac from Charente, France, double-distilled in rare 1936 copper pot stills. Awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast (Kara Newman, October 2022) and recognized at the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition, this expression punches well above its VS designation in complexity and character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Charente, France  |  VS (Very Special)  |  Distillery: Distillerie Perrier (Naud Distillery)

Production & Heritage

Naud VS is produced at Distillerie Perrier, situated on the Isle of Pinthiers — a small private island surrounded by two arms of the River Seugne in the Charente region. The distillery houses five original Speichim copper pot stills dating to 1936, which sat dormant for decades before being meticulously revived in 2017. The cognac is double-distilled over an open flame in these historic stills, then matured in French oak casks. The spirit is crafted from a blend of Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes, two classic Cognac varietals known for their high acidity and aromatic potential. The old limestone distillery building, flanked by lime and willow trees along the river, provides a naturally humid microclimate that influences the maturation process.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Delicate pear and peach rise first, followed by toasted almonds and a thread of cinnamon. Beneath the stone fruit, subtle walnuts and acacia honey add a layered sweetness that deepens with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is fresh and fruit-forward, with white-fleshed stone fruit and honeyed sweetness coating the palate. At mid-palate, vanilla and gentle oak spice emerge, joined by prune and dried apricot. Wine Enthusiast described it as "silky" and "mouthwatering," with a well-balanced interplay of fruit and wood influence.

Finish: Medium in length with a warm trail of cinnamon and allspice that gradually fades. A mentholated hint lingers at the very end, lending an unexpected freshness that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Naud VS

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the best way to appreciate the fruit-forward complexity and silky texture. A few drops of water open up the honey and almond notes without diminishing the finish.

• Sidecar: The stone fruit sweetness and cinnamon spice complement Cointreau and lemon, creating a balanced, aromatic cocktail.
• French 75 (Cognac variation): Naud VS's fresh fruit character and honeyed weight stand up to champagne and lemon without being overwhelmed.
• Stinger: The mentholated hints on the finish harmonize naturally with crème de menthe, making this a particularly well-suited VS for the classic pairing.

Best For

• Introducing a cocktail enthusiast to quality cognac beyond mass-market brands
• Building a French spirits collection with an artisan distillery expression
• Hosting an after-dinner digestif course with cheese and fruit
• Gifting a spirits lover who values distillery provenance and heritage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Naud VS taste like? Naud VS delivers fresh stone fruit — pear, peach, and dried apricot — balanced by honey, vanilla, and warm baking spices like cinnamon and allspice. The palate is silky and fruit-forward with a medium-length spiced finish.

How does Naud VS compare to Hennessy VS? Naud VS is produced at a small artisan distillery using historic 1936 pot stills, while Hennessy VS is a large-volume production from the world's biggest cognac house. Naud VS tends to show more delicate stone fruit and floral nuance, whereas Hennessy VS leans heavier on oak and darker caramel notes.

Is Naud VS good for sipping neat? Yes — with 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and a notably silky, well-balanced palate, Naud VS drinks more like a refined sipper than a typical entry-level VS cognac.

Where is Naud VS made? Naud VS is distilled at Distillerie Perrier on the Isle of Pinthiers in the Charente region of France. The distillery sits on a small private island formed by two branches of the River Seugne.

What foods pair well with Naud VS? Aged Comté cheese highlights the nutty, honeyed notes. Poached pears echo the stone fruit aromatics. Crème brûlée mirrors the vanilla and caramel undertones. Toasted almonds complement the mid-palate nuttiness. Charcuterie with dried apricot brings out the dried fruit character.

What sizes does Naud VS come in? Naud VS is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Naud VS worth the price? Naud VS positions as a premium artisan alternative within the VS cognac tier, offering small-batch production, historic copper pot stills, and a 91-point critical score at a price that competes directly with mainstream VS expressions — strong value for the quality and provenance delivered.

Why Naud VS?

What separates Naud VS from the crowded field of Very Special cognacs is the sheer rarity of its production equipment: five Speichim copper pot stills built in 1936, dormant for decades, and brought back to life in 2017. That heritage translates directly into the glass — Wine Enthusiast's 91-point score places it alongside cognacs that often cost considerably more. The island distillery setting is not a marketing conceit but a genuine microclimate influence, with the River Seugne's humidity shaping how the spirit rests in French oak. For anyone seeking a VS cognac with genuine artisan character and critical validation, Naud VS is a compelling and underappreciated choice in the category.