Camus Extra Elegance Cognac 750ML is an Extra-grade Cognac blending eaux-de-vie aged 30 to 50 years, bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml decanter. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2019 London Spirits Competition and a Gold at the 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition, reinforcing its standing among the top Extra-tier Cognacs available today. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) | Origin: Cognac, France | Extra (30-50 Year Blend) | Distillery: Maison Camus Production & Heritage Maison Camus was founded in 1863 by Jean-Baptiste Camus and remains one of the largest independent, family-owned Cognac houses, now in its fifth generation. Extra Elegance draws its eaux-de-vie from three prestigious crus — Borderies, Grande Champagne, and Petite Champagne — with the Borderies component at the heart of the blend. This is significant because Borderies is the smallest cru in the Cognac appellation and a terroir Maison Camus has long championed, contributing a distinctive floral and nutty character. The individual eaux-de-vie mature between 30 and 50 years in cool, damp cellars before final blending, a slow aging environment that encourages concentration without excessive oak extraction. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with dried violet and orange blossom before revealing deeper layers of tobacco leaf and toasted walnut. Behind those primary notes, hints of butterscotch and cream pastry add richness without heaviness. Taste: On entry, the palate is smooth and subtly sweet, with ripe peach and maple syrup giving way to a mid-palate of dried flowers and oak spice. As the Cognac develops, leather and almond emerge, supported by the grape-rich character typical of well-aged Borderies eaux-de-vie. The texture is notably round and silky throughout. Finish: The finish is long and velvety, with lingering walnut and faint tobacco. Dried violet returns at the tail end, leaving a clean, composed impression that invites the next sip. How to Drink Extra Elegance Neat in a tulip glass at room temperature is the primary serve — the complexity of a 30-to-50-year blend rewards patience and opens beautifully over 10 to 15 minutes of air contact. A few drops of water can amplify the floral aromatics for those who prefer a lighter approach. Vieux Carré: The tobacco and walnut depth stands up to sweet vermouth and Bénédictine without being overpowered. Sidecar: The dried violet and peach notes complement Cointreau and lemon, adding aged complexity to a classic template. Sazerac (Cognac variation): The original Sazerac called for Cognac, and Extra Elegance's spice and leather character brings historical authenticity and layered flavor to this New Orleans staple. Best For Gifting a Cognac collector who values aged, independent-house bottlings After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a fine cigar Celebrating a milestone event with a genuinely aged spirit Expanding a home bar beyond mainstream VSOP and XO expressions Frequently Asked Questions What does Extra Elegance taste like? Camus Extra Elegance delivers a smooth, complex profile dominated by dried violet, tobacco, leather, walnut, and cream pastry, with a long velvety finish. The Borderies influence gives it a distinctive floral and nutty backbone uncommon in many Cognacs at this tier. How does Extra Elegance compare to Martell Cordon Bleu? Both expressions lean heavily on Borderies eaux-de-vie, giving them a shared floral-nutty character, but Camus Extra Elegance uses significantly older components (30-50 years vs. roughly 10-25 years in Cordon Bleu). This additional maturity lends Extra Elegance greater depth of leather and tobacco, while Cordon Bleu tends toward brighter fruit and spice. Is Extra Elegance good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 30-to-50-year aging creates a layered, velvety Cognac that reveals new nuances with each sip, making it ideally suited to slow, contemplative drinking neat or with a few drops of water. Where is Extra Elegance made? It is produced by Maison Camus in the Cognac region of southwestern France, using eaux-de-vie sourced from the Borderies, Grande Champagne, and Petite Champagne crus. Camus, founded in 1863, is the largest family-owned Cognac house still operating independently. What foods pair well with Extra Elegance? Dark chocolate truffles complement the walnut and tobacco notes. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes the nutty Borderies character. Crème brûlée mirrors the butterscotch and cream pastry elements. Roasted duck with a fig reduction bridges the dried fruit and leather tones. Dried apricots and toasted almonds make a simple but effective pairing that highlights the Cognac's core flavors. What sizes does Extra Elegance come in? The standard size is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression. Is Extra Elegance worth the price? Camus Extra Elegance positions as a premium-to-ultra-premium Cognac, and its use of eaux-de-vie aged 30 to 50 years places it among the more serious aged offerings in its price band. The Gold Medal wins at both the London Spirits Competition and IWSC, along with a 93-point rating from Guía Peñín, suggest strong critical validation for the investment. Why Extra Elegance? What separates Camus Extra Elegance from the crowded XO and Extra shelf is its deep reliance on Borderies eaux-de-vie — the rarest and smallest cru in the appellation — aged for three to five decades in low-temperature cellars that prioritize finesse over brute oak. That patient maturation yields a Cognac where dried violet, tobacco, and walnut coexist in genuine harmony rather than competing for attention. Its Gold Medals at the 2016 IWSC and 2019 London Spirits Competition confirm that expert panels recognize the quality here, not just the age. For drinkers who want an independently produced, family-house Cognac with real depth and provenance, Extra Elegance makes a compelling case on its own terms.
