Delamain

The Delamain family has been active in the trade of eaux-de-vie since the 18th century: an ancestor, James Delamain, returned to France and settled in Jarnac in the latter half of the 18th century, and the Maison is traditionally dated to 1824. Over generations Delamain established itself as a specialist of the Grande Champagne cru, remaining family-run for many generations. In 2017 the Bollinger family group took a stake in the Maison while preserving the House’s identity and historic savoir-faire. In 2024 the Maison celebrated its bicentenary.

A 'less-is-more', non-interventionist approach: rigorous selection of old eaux-de-vie exclusively from Grande Champagne, maturation in seasoned oak casks to preserve clarity and finesse, and blends that favor the natural elegance of the raw material. Some releases, such as Pale & Dry, have historically been made without added sugar or colourings.

Cru Grande Champagne (Cognac), cellars and chai located on the banks of the Charente in the commune of Jarnac. The Maison values exclusively this premier cru for all its cuvées.

Delamain does not base production on extensive in-house distillation: the Maison selects and purchases eaux-de-vie from growers and distillers in Grande Champagne. The eaux-de-vie are of the Charente style (double distillation in a Charentais pot still) and are long-aged in the centuries-old cellars of Jarnac; blending is entrusted to the maître de chai, who carries out gradual reductions to bottling strength and applies a minimal-intervention philosophy.

Charente style: double distillation in a Charentais pot still (the Maison selects eaux-de-vie distilled according to this method from its suppliers).

Long maturation in seasoned oak casks kept in the centuries-old cellars on the Charente; for some blends large foudres or demijohns (dame-jeannes) are used for further refinement. The Maison practices gradual ABV reduction before bottling and patient blending to showcase old eaux-de-vie.