Camus VS 700ML is a Borderies-focused VS cognac bottled at 40% ABV in a 700ml format from one of Cognac's last major family-owned houses. It earned 97 points and a Platinum award at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, placing it among the highest-rated VS expressions on the market.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Borderies, Cognac, France | VS (minimum 2 years aged) | Distillery: Camus Cognac (est. 1863)Production & HeritageCamus was founded in 1863 and remains family-owned through five generations, making it the largest independent family-run cognac house. The estate holds the largest vineyard holdings in the Borderies, the smallest and most sought-after of Cognac's six crus, prized for its naturally floral and round eaux-de-vie. Camus VS is double-distilled using the traditional Charentaise method in copper pot stills, drawing primarily on Ugni Blanc grapes along with Folle Blanche — a heritage variety that adds aromatic complexity. Notably, the house employs a patented "Intensity" distillation technique: during the second distillation, the first 20 litres of distillate (the heads) are sampled litre by litre, and the most aromatically concentrated fractions are selectively reintroduced into the heart cut, amplifying floral and fruity character.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with delicate iris, parma violet, and white hawthorn blossoms before releasing jasmine and a thread of vanilla fudge. A subtle nutty caramel undertone emerges as the cognac breathes.Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven, giving way to fresh pear and ripe mango at mid-palate. Sweet almond and gentle oak build toward the peak, with a maple-syrup sweetness and cider-apple acidity providing balance and tension.Finish: Medium in length with a clean, floral fade and lingering notes of jasmine and soft almond. A faint citrus lift keeps the close refreshing rather than heavy.How to Drink Camus VSNeat or over a single large ice cube allows the Borderies floral character to express itself fully — the Intensity distillation process rewards unhurried sipping. That said, the bright citrus and fruit notes make this VS highly versatile in cocktails. Sidecar: The pear and almond notes complement Cointreau and fresh lemon without getting buried. French 75 (cognac variation): The jasmine and violet aromatics shine alongside champagne and lemon juice. Stinger: The floral profile pairs naturally with crème de menthe for a lighter, more aromatic take on the classic. Best For Introducing a cocktail enthusiast to cognac-based drinks Exploring the Borderies cru without committing to a higher age statement Gifting someone who appreciates family-owned, independent producers Building a side-by-side tasting comparing VS cognacs across different crus Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Camus VS taste like? Camus VS is distinctly floral and fruit-forward, with prominent pear, mango, jasmine, and sweet almond flavors balanced by citrus acidity and a touch of maple sweetness. The finish is medium-length, clean, and floral.How does Camus VS compare to Hennessy VS? Hennessy VS blends around 40 eaux-de-vie from across all six Cognac crus, producing a broader, spicier profile, while Camus VS leans heavily on Borderies fruit, resulting in a more floral and delicate character. Camus also uses its proprietary Intensity distillation method, which concentrates aromatic compounds in a way not replicated in Hennessy's production.Is Camus VS good for sipping neat? Yes — its floral complexity and the aromatic intensity derived from its patented distillation process give it more depth than many VS cognacs, making it rewarding neat or with a single ice cube.Where is Camus VS made? Camus VS is produced at the Camus estate in the Borderies sub-region of Cognac, France. Borderies is the smallest of Cognac's six designated crus, known for producing naturally round, floral eaux-de-vie.What foods pair well with Camus VS? Soft ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert echo the cognac's creamy almond notes. Pear tarte tatin mirrors the fruit character directly. Lightly smoked salmon works against the citrus acidity, while roasted almonds reinforce the nutty mid-palate. Dark chocolate with a moderate cacao percentage (around 55–65%) complements the vanilla and floral finish.What sizes does Camus VS come in? The standard expression is widely available in 700ml and 750ml formats, with 1L duty-free editions also produced.Is Camus VS worth the price? Camus VS positions as a mid-tier VS cognac — slightly above mass-market blends — and its 97-point score at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and patented Intensity distillation method offer tangible quality differentiators that justify the step up from entry-level options.Why Camus VS?The patented Intensity distillation process — in which the most aromatic fractions of the heads are hand-selected and reintroduced into the heart — is unique to Camus and directly responsible for the pronounced floral and fruit intensity uncommon at the VS level. Scoring 97 points and earning Platinum at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition validates that technique with measurable critical recognition. The Borderies focus further distinguishes this bottling; most competing VS blends draw from multiple crus, diluting regional character, while Camus showcases Borderies fruit as a calling card. As the product of a fifth-generation independent house with the largest vineyard holdings in Borderies, it represents an authentic connection between terroir and bottle that few VS cognacs can claim.
