Courvoisier is a cognac like no other. Heralded as one of French emperor Napoleon’s favorite spirits which accompanied him in exile to the island of St. Helena after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815, this historic brand is the youngest and smallest of the “big four” cognac houses. Officially founded in 1835 by French wine merchant Emmanuel Courvoisier and Louis Gallois, the Mayor of Bercy, Paris – Courvoisier has remained true to its 200 year old crafting process even today. Bestowed the honorable title of Official Supplier to the Imperial Court by Napoleon’s heir in 1869, Courvoisier sources Eaux-de-vie from various high-quality vineyards (or crus) to formulate its recipes and each blend is matured in handmade barrels derived from 200 year old French Troncais forest oak. Courvoisier was purchased by Suntory in 2005 but continues to control production every step of the way to ensure consistency and quality.