Delamain Lot 62 Cognac Review: A Rare Old Grande Champagne

Introduction It’s not every day you get to try something distilled in 1962. I came across this bottle—a single cask Grande Champagne cognac selected by Malternative Belgium—and it immediately stood out, not just for its age, but for the house behind it. I’ve always had a soft spot for the style of Delamain, and given their long history of aging and blending finesse, I was curious to see how this half-century-old Lot 62 would deliver. It's not about boldness or showy character here. I was hoping for restraint, elegance, and maturity—and that's exactly what I found. Nose Straight off the pour, the nose came alive—not with volume, but with quiet confidence. Old polished wood was the first thing I noticed—oak paneling, beeswax, and worn leather binding. Behind that, a rich mix of dried apricots and orange peel slowly emerged, along with hints of plum jam that had lost their fruitiness and gone almost savoury. There were traces of cedar and a dry herbal note that reminded me of antique bookstores. It's honest, layered, and distinctly old school. Palate On the tongue, this cognac is remarkably dry for its age. It's not trying to please with sweetness or richness—it holds back. The dried fruits from the nose reappear, but in more restrained form: fig skin, prune, and a whisper of old orange marmalade. Then comes a wave of old leather, cigar tobacco, and hints of dark tea. There’s a slow development of saltiness and faint bitterness, more in keeping with an old scotch than most brandies. The texture stays lean but firm, with enough grip to carry the flavours forward—but nothing fatty or mouth-coating. Finish The finish is more about echo than intensity. A flicker of aged wood, delicate spice, and paper-thin dried fruit roll off the palate without urgency. It doesn’t linger in a showy way—just a whisper of dried mint, tangerine peel, and fennel seed hanging in the background before fading into quiet airiness. If you’re patient, faint traces of wax and leather reappear after a few minutes. Price and Value Obviously, we’re not in entry-level territory here. Bottles of this nature—vintage distillation, single cask, and over 50 years of age—carry a steep price, and this one is no exception. But I wouldn’t call it overpriced given its rarity and condition. You have to approach it with the right mindset—this isn’t crowd-pleasing party spirit; it’s contemplative, dry, and speaks to those who enjoy deeply matured gear. For those already invested in old cognacs or looking for something parallel to antique malts, it’s money well spent. Background Delamain has built its entire identity around refining old cognacs from the Grande Champagne region, and Lot 62 is a perfect example of that approach. There's no artificial coloring or sweetening added—Delamain’s policy has always leaned toward natural expression and balance. The whisky community has increasingly embraced these kinds of cognacs, often selected and bottled by independent groups like Malternative Belgium. This cask was bottled at 44.3%, likely after a long nap in traditional oak—a strength that supports the flavour without overwhelming the structure. Final Notes Would I reach for this bottle again? Without hesitation—though I’d reserve it for quiet moments more than lively gatherings. It’s best when you have the time and space to find its subtlety. Could someone new to cognac enjoy it? Possibly, but I think it speaks more clearly to those who’ve already tasted widely and are looking for refinement over impact. In terms of comparison, it leans closer to old Demerara rums and well-aged Highland scotches where dryness leads the profile. If you’re after sweetness or fruit-forward intensity, this might not deliver what you’re after. But if you’re drawn to aged spirits with a clear, evolved structure and a sense of restraint, this bottle holds a lot of quiet power.