Latest news with #Cognac
CNA
31-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Raise a glass to SG60 celebration: Singapore's 60th birthday sparks exclusive whisky and Cognac launches
As Singapore pulls out all the stops to celebrate its 60th birthday — from commemorative medallion sets to bespoke stamps, pop-art exhibitions, and themed dinners — some of the nation's top names in the world of spirits have joined the revelry. Leading alcohol distributors, local whisky bars, and international brands have launched exclusive collectables to commemorate six decades of remarkable growth. From rare bottlings to uniquely designed packaging inspired by local culture and heritage, these spirited creations offer a distinct toast to Singapore's progress. MARTELL UNVEILS AN EXCLUSIVE SINGAPORE-INSPIRED DROP French Cognac maker Maison Martell has dug deep into its historic reserves to create a special limited-edition 60-Year-Old Cognac in honour of Singapore's milestone. Martell's connection with Singapore dates back to 1871, when the first shipment of Martell Cognac arrived in the country. An archival ledger from a London supplier, dated Nov 3, 1871, documents the shipment of 200 cases. The consignment was routed via Kallenbach & Kemig to Poisson & Co, based in Singapore. At the time, the price was recorded as 21 shillings per bottle, equivalent to approximately £158 (US$211; S$271) in today's money. 'In crafting this Cognac, I sought to create a blend as emblematic as Singapore can be,' said Christophe Valtaud, the ninth Cellar Master at Martell, in a press release. 'It has a unique power worthy of the finest and rarest eaux-de-vie from the Founder's Reserve.' The Cognac is drawn from the Founder's Reserve — a collection of the house's rarest eaux-de-vie, aged in casks and demijohns — explained Master Blender Aldrick Dehec. Dehec was in town to launch the 'once-in-a-generation collectable', making it one of the most exclusive releases in Martell's history. 'The youngest eaux-de-vie in this bottle is from 1965, making it 60 years old. Others are over a century old,' he shared. Only 12 bottles are produced, each housed in a handcrafted case fashioned from refined oak wood and enhanced with engraved gold-coloured metal — reflecting both the modern elegance of Singapore and the timeless artistry of Maison Martell. The decanter is a work of art in its own right, paying homage to Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, etched in 19-carat gold on the Baccarat crystal decanter. The delicate artwork is complete with vines and grapes, evoking the sun-drenched vineyards of Cognac. Each bottle is priced at S$45,000 and is available exclusively to members of Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard. WHISKY BARS COLLABORATE ON EXCLUSIVE SG60 BOTTLINGS Inspired by the momentous occasion, whisky bars across the island found the perfect reason to collaborate on a limited-edition collection of six single cask whiskies — launched in tribute to SG60. Led by Khoon Hui, owner of Quaich Bar, and supported by seven other bars — Signature Reserve, The Auld Alliance, Luss Restaurant & Bar, The Writing Club, The Single Cask Singapore, and the now-closed ExciseMan Wine & Whisky Bar — the collection spans a diverse range of expressions. Highlights include a Springbank 20 Year Old matured in a refill port hogshead, a Bladnoch 7 Year Old Oloroso, and an Irish Tipperary 8 Year Old Mezcal Cask, showcasing both regional and cask diversity. Each bar selected a distillery and cask to pay homage to the deep camaraderie between the Scottish and Singaporean whisky worlds. The bottlings were completed at the distilleries and labelled with full provenance — including cask number, bottling date, the SG60 commemorative logo, and a personalised note from each distiller. 'Most of these producers rarely do single cask bottlings,' Khoon said. 'They made an exception for the Singapore market.' The set is available for pre-order at S$1,965 through any participating bar. MALT WINE AND ASIA CURATES A WHISKY TRILOGY Local distributor Malt Wine and Asia, helmed by Alex Yong, has partnered with Japanese distiller Mars Maltage to produce a commemorative whisky trilogy — exclusively for Singapore's 60th birthday. 'We wanted to offer a meaningful, Singapore-themed gift for whisky collectors and overseas guests,' said Yong. The collection hails from Mars Maltage, Japan's highest distillery, located at 798m above sea level in Kagoshima. The 2018 Komagatake was aged in first-fill Bourbon barrels and at the Mars distillery, situated at the foothills of Mount Komagatak, while the 2020 Tsunuki was aged in first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask, in Kyushu. Finally, the Tsunuki-Yakushima aged in First Fill PX Cask on Yakushima Island. 'We were very pleased they used a cask from Yakushima, a World Heritage site,' added Yong, who travelled to Japan and personally selected the cask to suit the Singaporean palate. To complete the tribute, he commissioned Singaporean illustrator Lee Xin Li to design bespoke labels based on his artwork In Our Time. The triptych-style labels each highlight a different layer of Singapore's evolving landscape. 'The work represents the palimpsest quality of Singapore despite its size: Layers of history, architecture, culture and more, intertwined,' said Lee. 'Fast forward to 2025, the layers grew and remain ever more relevant as we celebrate SG60.' The trilogy was launched at Malt Wine and Asia's Great Expectation tasting in May and raised S$10,000 for St John's Home for the Elderly.
Local France
30-07-2025
- Business
- Local France
Why Normandy is the French region hardest hit by US tariffs
The USA and EU appear to have reached an agreement on tariffs on European goods - albeit one that seems to be vague and somewhat contradictory. While tariffs on imports are paid by consumers in the US, they also affect European companies exporting across the Atlantic, since their goods become less attractive to the US market. Meanwhile the continued uncertainty over tariffs that has characterised Trump's second term in office makes it hard for businesses to plan ahead. READ ALSO : 'A dark day': What we know so far about the EU-US trade deal Overall, France is not one of the worst-affected EU countries - Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium are expected to be the worst hit - but there are some areas that are hit especially hard. In 2024 French exports to the US were driven by aeronautics (€9.1 billion, or 18.8 percent of total exports), beverages such as wine and Cognac (€4.1 billion, 8.4 percent) and pharmaceuticals (€3.8 billion, 7.9 percent). Chemicals, ship-building and luxury goods such as perfume, designer clothes and handbags all have a strong market in the US. Advertisement These include specific sectors like wine - Bordeaux winemakers export 20 percent of their product , worth €400 million, to the US - and Cognac, which sells more in the US than it does in France. But when it comes to geographical areas, the northern region of Normandy is the worst affected - the US is the region's largest overseas market, buying €1 billion worth of goods each year. It's calculated that exports to the US represent €2,000 per employee per year for the Normandy region. Some of the exports to the US will be unsurprising to anyone who knows the area - Normandy cider exports to the US while the region's most famous cheeses, including camembert and pont l'evêque are popular too. But other sectors are perhaps a little more unexpected, with items manufactured in Normandy factories and by small businesses selling well in the US. On the industrial side, Normandy is a big exporter of chemicals, especially products for the oil industry. Small businesses and artisans export to the US too - for example office furniture manufacturer Axoes, based in Fleury-sur-Orne in the Calvados département of Normandy, whose products sell well in the US. CEO Mickael Huron told France Info that he had just invested €500,000 to expand his sales in America. He said: "We're keeping our fingers crossed that our customers will accept this tax increase. If I had been able to predict the future, I think I would have postponed my project." The tableware manufacturer Degrenne, based in Vire-Normandie, south of Caen, exports 20 percent of its products to the US, where its stainless steel cutlery is especially popular. Advertisement Employee Sylie Desfeux told France Info : "If we lose these markets, they are big customers. So they are quite important sources of income for us, for the company. So afterwards, it could also affect us as employees." However CEO Hugo van Houtte struck a more bullish note, saying: "Yes, it's bad news. We're going to deal with it, we're not going to take it lying down, we're not going to complain, we're going to take action. Even if we have to reduce our margins a little, so be it, we'll get on with it."
Bloomberg
25-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: Puma, Remy Cointreau, Carrefour
On this episode of Stock Movers: - Puma plunged after the German brand slashed its profit forecast in the face of weak demand for its sports and exercise gear and growing concerns about the impact of US tariffs. - Remy Cointreau SA lifted its profit guidance for the year, as sales of Cognac in the US rebounded and it avoided the most punitive impact of tariffs in China. - Carrefour SA is selling its Italian operations for an enterprise value of about €1 billion as Chief Executive Officer Alexandre Bompard leans on asset disposals to bolster the French supermarket chain's performance.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rémy Cointreau: Sales up +5.7%1
2025-26 organic COP target raise:update on impact of tariffs in China and the United States Cognac: +1.3% on an organic basis Very steep rise in sales in the United States driven by a very favorable basis for comparison Limited decline in sales in China: tough market conditions and inaccessibility of Chinese duty-free markets; sales up slightly excluding duty-free. Liqueurs & Spirits: +17.3% on an organic basis Strong rise in sales in the United States, underpinned by Cointreau and The Botanist Renewed growth in EMEA2 driven by Cointreau, Metaxa and Mount Gay 2025-26 organic COP target raised: Return to mid-single-digit sales growth on an organic basis (unchanged) Organic COP: mid-to-high-single-digits decline (vs. mid-to-high-teens decline previously) PARIS, July 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Rémy Cointreau (Paris:RCO) reported sales of €220.8 million in the first quarter of 2025-26, up +5.7% on an organic basis. On a reported basis, the rise was +1.8%, including a negative currency effect of -4.0% due primarily to trends in the dollar and the renminbi. Sales in the Americas rose by double digits, reflecting the very favorable basis of comparison. Sales in the APAC region edged down, as expected, hit by complex market conditions in China and the inaccessibility of Chinese duty-free markets. Lastly, the EMEA region recorded a fall in sales that mainly reflected fierce competitive pressures and sluggish demand for the Cognac division. By contrast, Liqueurs & Spirits were boosted by good momentum in the run-up to summer. Breakdown of sales by division €m Q1 2025-26 Q1 2024-25 Change asreported Organic change (April-June 2025) vs. Q1 2024-25 vs. Q1 2019-203 Cognac 131.3 135.5 -3.1% +1.3% -16.4% Liqueurs & Spiritueux 86.2 75.8 +13.6% +17.3% +58.4% Subtotal: Group Brands 217.5 211.3 +2.9% +7.0% +2.6% Partner Brands 3.3 5.7 -41.6% -41.7% -49.2% Total 220.8 217.0 +1.8% +5.7% +1.1% Cognac Cognac division sales rose +1.3% on an organic basis in the first quarter. As expected, this growth was driven primarily by the steep rise in sales in the Americas, particularly the United States. Sales benefited from a highly favorable comparison base. By contrast, the APAC region experienced a slight decline in sales, impacted by tough market conditions in China, especially in the high-end segment, and the inaccessibility of Chinese duty-free markets. This performance nonetheless reflected relatively good resilience, with modest growth excluding duty free, thanks to the outperformance of Rémy Martin CLUB and strong momentum in e-commerce, fueled by numerous activations during the 6/18 Festival. Lastly, the EMEA region recorded a sharp drop in sales, reflecting continued pressure from aggressive promotional activity and consumer caution in an uncertain economic environment. Liqueurs & Spirits Sales reported by the Liqueurs & Spirits division rose by +17.3% in organic terms in the first quarter. The Americas region, especially the United States, delivered significant growth, supported by a very favorable basis for comparison and the outperformance of Cointreau and The Botanist. During the quarter, Cointreau unveiled its new satirical campaign Any Tequila, starring Aubrey Plaza and spotlighting the Margarita, the top-selling cocktail in the United States. Simultaneously, The Botanist unveiled its new global campaign, All we need is now, which reflected a marked shift in the brand's identity. Sales in the EMEA region were boosted by good momentum for Cointreau, Metaxa and Mount Gay. During the quarter, Metaxa launched its first two ready-to-drink ranges in cans. The launch was accompanied by a new marketing campaign called Get your cocktails ON. At the same time, Telmont rounded out its range of organic wines by creating its Réserve de la Terre—Rosé cuvée, crafted exclusively with organically grown grapes. The move marked another milestone in the brand's transition to fully organic and regenerative viticulture. Finally, the APAC region also reported strong growth, driven by excellent results in China and the rest of Asia (Cointreau and Bruichladdich). Partner Brands Sales of Partner Brands declined by -41.7% on an organic basis in the first quarter. 2025-26 organic COP target raised In full-year 2025-26, Rémy Cointreau expects sales to return to mid-single-digit growth on an organic basis, driven primarily by a strong technical rebound in sales to the United States. Due to expected phasing effects in the APAC (mainly China) and the Americas (United States) regions, the Group anticipates a return to organic growth in the second half of the year. In addition, Rémy Cointreau has updated its assumptions regarding potential increases in customs tariffs following the minimum-price agreement signed with the Chinese authorities and the latest statements by the US president. The Group now anticipates a maximum total net impact of €45 million4 (vs. €65 million previously), broken down as follows: €10 million in China (vs. €40 million previously) €35 million in the United States (vs. €25 million previously) As revised estimates of the impact of customs duties are less than anticipated, the Group has opted to reallocate part of its investments, particularly in China. Taking these new assumptions into account, the Group now anticipates an organic decline in COP of mid-to-high-single-digits (vs. a decline of mid-to-high-teens previously). In a particularly volatile environment and based on its current scenario, the Group anticipates the following adverse currency effects over the full year: On Sales: between -€50 million and -€60 million (vs. -€30 million and -€35 million previously) On Current Operating Profit: between -€15 million and -€20 million (vs. -€10 million and -€15 million previously) RC Ventures acquires a minority stake in JNPR, a French pioneer in non-alcoholic spirits Rémy Cointreau Corporate Ventures, the venture fund launched by Rémy Cointreau in 2024, has acquired a minority stake in JNPR, an innovative French brand specializing in non-alcoholic spirits. This investment aligns with Rémy Cointreau's strategy of anticipating and testing emerging consumption trends, such as fast-growing demand for alcohol-free alternatives in France and internationally. Founded in 2020 by Valérie de Sutter, JNPR quickly established itself as a leading brand thanks to its wide range of non-alcoholic spirits — in particular the JNPR collection, featuring distilled recipes with no sugar. Its products are crafted in France from high-quality ingredients, especially juniper berries, the signature ingredient of gin and the hallmark of this collection. With this investment, JNPR will be able to accelerate its development in France and in select international markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Rémy Cointreau Corporate Ventures will contribute operational expertise in distribution and marketing, while fully preserving the creative and entrepreneurial independence of the founder and her teams. This transaction is also grounded in shared values including innovation, quality, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to responsible consumption. It was finalized on July 24, 2025. About Rémy Cointreau All around the world, there are clients seeking exceptional experiences; clients for whom a wide range of terroirs means a variety of flavors. Their exacting standards are proportional to our expertise – the finely-honed skills that we pass down from generation to generation. The time these clients devote to drinking our products is a tribute to all those who have worked to develop them. It is for these men and women that Rémy Cointreau, a family-owned French Group, protects its terroirs, cultivates exceptional multi-centenary spirits and undertakes to preserve their eternal modernity. The Group's portfolio includes 14 singular brands, such as the Rémy Martin and LOUIS XIII cognacs, and Cointreau liqueur. Rémy Cointreau has a single ambition: becoming the world leader in exceptional spirits. To this end, it relies on the commitment and creativity of its 1,856 employees and on its distribution subsidiaries established in the Group's strategic markets. Rémy Cointreau is listed on Euronext Paris. A conference call with investors and analysts will be held today by CFO Luca Marotta, from 9:00 am (Paris time). Related slides will also be available on the website ( in the Finance section. Appendices Q1 2025-26 sales (April-June 2025) €m Reported Forex Scope 25- Organic Reported Reported Organic 25-26 25-26 26 25-26 24-25 change Change A B C A/C-1 B/C-1 Cognac 131.3 -5.9 - 137.2 135.5 -3.1% +1.3% Liqueurs & Spirits 86.2 -2.7 - 88.9 75.8 +13.6% +17.3% Subtotal: Group Brands 217.5 -8.7 - 226.1 211.3 +2.9% +7.0% Partner Brands 3.3 - - 3.3 5.7 -41.6% -41.7% Total 220.8 -8.7 - 229.5 217.0 +1.8% +5.7% Regulated information in connection with this press release can be found at Definitions of alternative performance indicators Rémy Cointreau's management process is based on the following alternative performance indicators, selected for planning and reporting purposes. The Group's management considers that these indicators provide users of the financial statements with useful additional information to help them understand its performance. These indicators should be considered as supplementing those including in the consolidated financial statements and resulting movements. Organic sales growth: Organic growth excludes the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, acquisitions and disposals. The impact of exchange rate fluctuations is calculated by converting sales for the current financial year using average exchange rates from the prior financial year. For current-year acquisitions, sales of acquired entities are not included in organic growth calculations. For prior-year acquisitions, sales of acquired entities are included in the previous financial year but are only included in current-year organic growth with effect from the actual date of acquisition. For significant disposals, data is post-application of IFRS 5 (which reclassifies entities disposed of under "Net earnings from discontinued operations" for the current and prior financial year). It thus focuses on Group performance common to both financial years, over which local management has more direct influence. 1 All references to "on an organic basis" in this press release refer to sales growth at constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation2 Europe, Middle East and Africa3 At constant exchange rates (2024-25 rates)4 These estimates are calculated based on the following assumptions: An increase in the minimum import price in China as defined in the agreement signed with MOFCOM Customs duties of 30% on imports from the European Union (vs. 20% previously) and 10% from the UK and Barbados entering the United States. Note that the Group factored in 10% customs duties on all imports to the United States for April-July 2025 View source version on Contacts Investor relations: Célia d'Everlange / investor-relations@ Media relations: Mélissa Lévine / press@
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
6 Refreshing Cognac Cocktails That Are Perfect For Summer
getty Cognac is chronically categorized as a winter warmer thanks to its signature drinks like the Vieux Carré, Brandy Alexander and Side Car. This summer, however, more bartenders are showcasing Cognac's versatility in cooling cocktails for the season's sweltering days. Like Dan Nicolaescu, bartender at Le Coucou in New York City, who explains one of his favorite Cognac refreshers was built explicitly to complement summer's fresh produce and backyard gatherings. 'For me, the perfect occasion for the Midsummer Magic cocktail is a weekend dinner in the company of friends, with the sunset as the backdrop,' he shares, describing rounds of his strawberry and lemon-laced cocktail with Cognac VS and Pineau des Charentes rouge in between a menu of heirloom tomato and cucumber salad, topped with feta and basil, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon before grilled sea bream with farmers market vegetables. The increasing appearance of Cognac on this season's cocktail menus emphasizes the spirits' strong growth in recent years. According to The Business Research Company, the Cognac and brandy market will grow from $14.97 billion in 2024 to $15.79 in 2025 for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 percent. Further, by 2029 Cognac's market revenue is forecasted to reach $19.79 billion. This means consumers should get used to witnessing more Cognac cocktails on drink menus year-round. There's no time like the present to familiarize yourself with this protected category of grape brandy from its titled region in France. Below, discover six recipes for refreshing Cognac cocktails to drink this summer. Summer Cognac Cocktails Fleur de Feu Fleur de Feu cocktail Karl Steuck "I created this cocktail for those backyard summer nights surrounded by good company, and laughter with grill smoke filling the air,' shares Adam Robinson. 'It's light, a little fancy but also bold enough to hold its own next to some top-notch barbecue.' Ingredients: 1.5 oz peach-infused Cognac VS, 1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice, 0.75 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, 0.5 oz honey syrup, 0.25 Licor 43, 2 dash Angostura bitters, 1.5 oz soda water Method: Combine all the ingredients, except for soda water, in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Double strain into a Collins glass, add the soda, the ice, and garnish with a bouquet of mint. To make the honey syrup: mix two parts honey by volume with one part hot water and stir to incorporate (let chill before preparing the cocktail). To infuse the Cognac with peach: add 100 grams of dried peaches (not freeze-dried) to a bottle of Cognac to steep for at least 48 hours. Midsummer Magic This cocktail by Nicolaescu of Le Coucou evokes the 'contagious laughter' of an evening he and his friends hope will never end. Deemed Midsummer Magic, it's a complement to an entire night from appetizer through to dessert's fresh fruit platter, like summer favored strawberries and cantaloupe, and way into the balmy night as a refreshing sip that keeps giving. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Cognac VS, 0.75 oz Pineau des Charentes rouge, 0.5 oz strawberry syrup, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, one half of an egg white, a spray of absinthe Method: Add all the ingredients, except the absinthe, to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake, and strain into a cocktail glass. Spray the absinthe on top and garnish with a strawberry. For the strawberry syrup: remove the tops from 150 grams of fresh strawberries and roughly chop. Add the strawberries and 150 grams of sugar to a container to sit for 24 hours. Once the sugar has been infused with strawberry, add 2.5 oz of water and mix to dissolve it. Strain off the solids, gently press strawberries and collect all liquids. Transfer to a container and refrigerate. The Rémy Riviera Collins Recently poured at the Cannes Film Festival 2025—renowned as an unofficial kick-off to the summer season in the south of France—this riff on a Tom Collins replaces the typical gin with an oaky, Fine Champagne cognac. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal cognac, 2/3 oz lemon juice, 2/3 oz simple syrup, club soda Method: Add the cognac, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda; garnish with a lemon wheel and brandied cherry. The Pear-Fect Spritz The Pear-Fect Spritz cocktail Belle de Brillet Crafted with Belle de Brillet, a unique pear and cognac liqueur that's lower in ABV, this play on the ubiquitous summer spritz offers a balanced sip of sweet fruit, fresh citrus and lively bubbles. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Belle de Brillet, 2 oz soda water, 3 oz dry sparkling wine (like Prosecco), 1 squeeze of a lemon wedge Method: Pour all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice, beginning with the Belle de Brillet followed by the sparkling wine, club soda then the spritz of lemon; stir gently to combine. Garnish with a slice of lemon. Southern Barbecue Spritz Inspired by the barbecue cookouts that Atlanta-based bartender Orestes Cruz frequently attends with an apple pie in hand, Cruz created a cognac cocktail that reuses the remaining peels and cores of the Granny Smith apples from the pie to make a honey syrup to pair with the fresh, floral notes of Cognac VS. 'This cocktail is a refreshing, crushable drink that cuts the fat of the meat and serves as a plate cleanser for the next bite,' he shares. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Cognac VS, 0.75 oz. Granny Smith honey syrup, 0.5 oz. Amontillado sherry, 0.5 oz. lemon juice, 2 oz. dry sparkling wine, 1 oz. soda water Method: Add the Cognac VS, syrup, sherry and lemon juice to a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a chilled wine glass. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a green apple slice. For the Granny Smith honey syrup: combine the peels and cores from two Granny Smith apples in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook for three minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for an additional 15 minutes before filtering through a fine mesh strainer. This will make about a cup of honey syrup that can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 18 days. The Rémy Mojito Cognac is a perfect substitute for white rum in this warm weather-favored classic combining tart lime and cool mint. The spirits' plum and fig notes mingle with these fresh flavors for a layered cocktail, both in flavor and texture. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 1 oz sparkling water Method: Add all ingredients, except for the sparkling water, to a tin cocktail shaker filled with ice (if you have pebble ice, use this as to not break the mint leaves). Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with a full sprig of mint.
