Malternative No.47 Humus Noir Lot 19.84 BB French Cognac

Malternative Belgium No. 47 “Humus Noir” Lot 19.84 BB French Cognac is an exceptionally limited single-cask release from Cognac Chollet, produced in the lesser-known Bons Bois cru. Selected and bottled by Malternative Belgium, this characterful Cognac showcases the rich fruit, rounded texture and distinctive terroir associated with Bons Bois, where varied soils and greater Atlantic influence contribute to an expressive style. Bottled at natural cask strength, Humus Noir combines mature fruit, patisserie sweetness, polished oak and subtle rancio complexity in a release limited to just 99 bottles worldwide.

Producer: Cognac Chollet
Bottler: Malternative Belgium
Release: No. 47 “Humus Noir”
Lot: 19.84 BB
Cru: Bons Bois
ABV: 45.1%
Outturn: 99 Bottles

Malternative Belgium is an independent bottler specialising in carefully selected Cognac, alongside other traditional French spirits including Armagnac and Calvados. Its numbered releases place particular emphasis on provenance, individual producers and the stories behind each spirit. For No. 47, Malternative selected Cognac from Chollet, a family estate based in Boutiers-Saint-Trojan whose history began when Jacques and Jeannine Chollet acquired their farm in 1952. The estate subsequently expanded its vineyards and established its own distillery, with the next generation, Bertrand and Christophe Chollet, continuing the family operation today.

The name “Humus Noir”, meaning “black humus”, is a deliberate tribute to the importance of soil and terroir. Its label depicts earth falling through a hand, reflecting the philosophy that the character of Cognac begins not in the barrel, but in the vineyard. This is particularly relevant to Bons Bois, a diverse cru characterised by varied clay, sand and mixed soils alongside greater maritime influence than the central Champagne crus.

Tasting Notes:
Rich and layered aromas of candied apricot, dried fig, apple compote and mirabelle plum unfold into brioche, vanilla custard and fresh orange zest. With time, deeper notes of beeswax, walnut and soft pipe tobacco emerge alongside white pepper, cinnamon and beautifully integrated polished oak. The palate is full and silky, carrying baked apple, stewed pear and dried peach into darker layers of toffee, hazelnut praline, cocoa and black tea. Sweet fruit and elegant spice remain beautifully balanced, complemented by a subtle vinous character and mature oak. The finish is long and warming, with candy sugar, orange oil, roasted nuts and cedar giving way to refined rancio notes, gentle spice, tobacco and lingering fruitcake.