Malternative No.52 Le Souverain Lot 19.75 French Cognac

Malternative Belgium No.52 “Le Souverain” Lot 19.75 Grande Champagne Cognac is an extraordinary single cask release produced by Cognac Laurichesse in Segonzac, at the heart of Grande Champagne. Distilled in 1975 and drawn from Cask No.119, this exceptionally mature Cognac was selected by Malternative Belgium from the Laurichesse cellars and bottled in May 2026 at its natural cask strength of 50.6%. Limited to just 360 bottles, Le Souverain combines remarkable tropical fruit intensity with the depth, rancio, old oak and textural richness developed through approximately half a century of maturation.

Producer: Cognac Laurichesse
Bottler: Malternative Belgium
Lot: 19.75
Vintage: 1975
Region / Cru: Grande Champagne
ABV: 50.6%
Cask: No.119
Outturn: 360 Bottles 

Malternative Belgium is an independent Belgian bottler specialising primarily in exceptional Cognac, alongside carefully selected Armagnac and Calvados. No.52 “Le Souverain” represents their seventh selection from Cognac Laurichesse, chosen alongside Olivier and Léa Laurichesse from their cellar in February 2026. The Laurichesse family has deep roots in Segonzac and Cognac production, with historic family stocks distilled by Guy Laurichesse during the 1970s. Unlike the blending traditionally associated with Cognac, these rare parcels were preserved as individual casks, offering an opportunity to experience mature Grande Champagne Cognac with its distinctive character intact.

Tasting Notes:
An explosive bouquet of ripe apricot, peach and flambéed banana opens into an extraordinary concentration of pineapple, mango, passionfruit, papaya and candied orange, layered with honeycomb, citrus oils, liquorice and dried fruits. Beneath the vibrant fruit sits mature oak, tobacco, cinnamon, roasted almonds, furniture wax and delicate rancio. The palate is broad and powerful, delivering apricot preserve, tropical fruits and orange marmalade alongside honey, beeswax, candied ginger, almond paste, leather and beautifully integrated old oak. Remarkable freshness carries the richness into an exceptionally long finish of candied citrus, mango, pineapple, dried apricot, cinnamon, plum tobacco and roasted walnut, leaving lingering warmth, mature oak and tremendous depth.