Cognac Ferrand may be a small producer of Cognac, but they made a big impact recently on judges and fans alike with their 1840 Original Formula, winning the highly sought-after Best New Product Award at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

While Cognac has always been a well-respected and regarded spirit, this is the first time that any Cognac has ever been honored with this distinction. But what really sets this particular expression apart is that it was developed by its makers to be used in mixed cocktails, whereas in the past, Cognac has been practically reserved solely for drinking straight up or on the rocks. While we all might enjoy our Mad Men moments from time to time, it's always great to mix things up... literally.

Specializing in the traditional process of Cognac production techniques, Alexandre Gabriel (owner of Cognac Ferrand) sets himself apart from other spirit producers by utilizing age-old craft-based production methods. With the goal of recapturing the true nineteenth century taste of Cognac, it looks as if Gabriel has more than succeeded. Pierre Ferrand 1840 is bottled at 90 proof, higher than most Cognacs, thus making it perfect for mixing in drinks.