Domaines Francis Abécassis – producer of Single Estate Cognac in France – is delighted to announce the launch of two of its Cognac brands on the US market from November 2014. Long awaited by Cognac enthusiasts as well as bartenders and sommeliers, Cognac Leyrat and ABK6 full ranges will be available, including the amazing ABK6 VSOP Old Pale recently awarded World’s Best Cognac 2014 at the World Drinks Awards in London.

ABK6 Cognac was launched by Francis Abécassis in 2006 to appeal to a younger audience than traditional cognacs. The name, spoken in French, sounds exactly like “Abécassis”. It was used by his daughters as an abbreviated sign-o in text messages and eight years later, Elodie, now aged 27, heads the business with her father.

The characteristic fruitiness of ABK6 cognacs comes from the chalky soil and climate of the hilltop vineyards. Another dierence is that the eaux-de-vie are aged for longer than other mainstream brands.

“The leitmotif is to have a very smooth and round quality” says Christian Guérin, Master Cellar. “We always want to keep the fruitiness and other characteristics of the single estate. For the whole range, it is important that it is a smooth and easy-to-drink cognac”.

To celebrate this launch as it deserves to be, the family owners decided to ship some exclusive decanters of Cognac Leyrat Glory Extra and Cognac ABK6 Extra, some of the oldest and finest blends of their estate for the American connoisseurs. In the past five years, Domaines Francis Abécassis estates have been awarded more than 60 medals in major international tasting competitions.

You will be able to find COGNAC ABK6 and COGNAC LEYRAT in Total Wine stores.

Single Estate Cognac philosophy

Domaines Francis Abécassis is a family-owned company run by Elodie Abécassis. They produce estate-grown Cognacs. With nearly 500 acres of vineyards, Domaines Francis Abécassis is one of the largest land owners within the Cognac appellation. They master each step of the production on the estate, from the vineyards to the bottle thus ensuring quality: this is the Single Estate philosophy.

About COGNAC LEYRAT

Already successful in more than 25 countries, Cognac LEYRAT loves to share its know-how thanks to the presence of its very old eaux-de-vie in the most prestigious restaurants and liquor stores in the world. Situated on top of a chalky hilltop in the cru FINS BOIS and perfectly oriented, this renowned vineyard of 90 hectares produces delicate and elegant Cognacs whose exceptional quality is widely recognized. Its ten aging cellars house large quantities of aged cognacs. The structure of the chalky soil and the age of old vines allow for prolonged ageing of the Leyrat Cognacs. The more prestigious Cognacs mature in the “paradise” cellars, some for more than 50 years.

Cognac Leyrat stands as the gastronomic flagship within Domaines Francis Abécassis. The range available in the US includes COGNAC LEYRAT VS, VSOP, XO VIEILLE RESERVE and GLORY EXTRA.

About COGNAC ABK6

ABK6 Cognac perfectly responds to the demand of a new generation of spirits consumers, seeking authenticity, fairness and new inspiring consumption modes. The name “ABK6”, if you read it in French, stands for the family name of the owners, to be pronounced “A-BE-CA-SSIS”.  ABK6 Cognac was created in 2005 and is now a great success in Europe. It was present in some trendy bars in NYC and will be now widely available throughout the US.

The World Cognac Awards are part of the prestigious World Drinks Awards program, launched in 2007. Presented by TheDrinksReport.com, the world’s No. 1 online resource for drinks professionals, the World Cognac Awards select, reward and promote the best Cognac Taste to consumers and trade across the globe: After these tastings Cognac ABK6 VSOP has been awarded World’s Best Cognac 2014.

The range available in the US includes COGNAC ABK6 VS Pure Single, VSOP Old Pale, XO Family Reserve and ABK6 EXTRA. www.abk6-cognac.com