Stoli® Group named as exclusive travel retail partner for Cognac Prunier

STOLI GROUP has announced a new partnership with Cognac Prunier – the oldest independent Cognac house with a heritage that goes back to the early 18^th Century. Under the agreement, Stoli will act as the exclusive global travel retail distributor for Cognac Prunier, further enlarging its super premium brands portfolio. The agreement takes effect immediately and the Cognac Prunier portfolio will be highlighted on the Stoli stand in Cannes (Beach Village 2).

Says Stoli Group CEO Hugues Pietrini: “This is a very exciting time for Stoli Group as we continue to build our super premium brand portfolio. Alongside our core vodka business, we already have a footprint in the premium tequila and agave spirits, rum and gin markets, so Cognac is a natural and sensible addition to this. It’s an important and growing category, now lying 5^th in the global travel retail spirits sector with volume sales of 1.6m 9L cases in 2017 and accounting for more than 6% of total spirits sales.”

Pietrini says Cognac Prunier is a natural partner for Stoli. “We share the same values of offering high quality, crafted spirits that combine tradition with innovation. Importantly, both companies have a passion for this business which we now can build and develop together.”

Cognac Prunier is not totally new to the travel retail market , listed successfully with DFS in Singapore Changi. However, both Stoli and Cognac Prunier are certain that the brand has far wider potential as the appetite for Cognac and demand for super-premium brands continue to drive growth in the GTR spirits category.

“A key demand from travelling consumers is innovation and travel retail exclusivity,” say Stoli Group GTR Director Aucher. “Cognac Prunier provides both these with its ‘Age Statement Collection’ – one of the most creative collections for travel retail that I have seen in recent times.”

On display in Cannes, The Age Statement Collection comprises eight guaranteed age Cognac expressions from 10 to 80 years old, each presented in a French oak case. Described as ‘a first’

in the world of Cognac, this travel retail exclusive range is reserved for the travelling connoisseur, providing a unique opportunity to discover an alternative approach to the spirit.

Says Cognac Prunier President and Master Blender Stéphane Burnez: “Our commitment is to offer the most natural Cognacs with no artificial colouring, no sugar and no added wood extract.”

The Age Statement Collection provides eight incredible Cognacs, all made with stocks of old ‘eaux-de-vie’ collected over generations by the Prunier family. Each Age Statement expression refers to the youngest cognac in the blend – 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80 years, carrying a recommended retail price from Euros 129,90 for the youngest to Euros 6,999 for the 80 year old.

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The presentation case has been crafted by local artisan, Fabrice Cousseau, from 100% French oak. Drawers and secret compartments were added for accessories such as the supplied polished glass beads, which can be added to the bottles after opening to prevent oxidation.

The French oak naturally frames two reproductions of water-colour paintings by famous Cognac artist Géo Mareste, a personal friend of the Burnez family.  With works dating from the first half of the 20th century, he is famous for portraying the Charente river and landscapes; the two paintings chosen for the case being representative of both.

The spirited collector of this fine object will also discover a secret drawer granting him/her membership of the Prunier Lieutenance Club, allowing exclusive access to a VIP tour at the Prunier estate.

DFS, Singapore has already proved the interest in collections such as this with a Chinese connoisseur purchasing the complete collection for S$48,000 (Euros 30,000).  In its simple yet beautiful bottle design within white outer packaging incorporating cellar imager, The Age Statement Collection is a most compelling offer for global travel retail.

"We are a very small company and perhaps make our cognac in old-fashioned ways, but we have a lot of experience in age statements and vintages and believe in being different,” adds Burnez.

Says Aucher: “In a most concentrated category within travel retail, Cognac Prunier has a fresh and wonderfully innovative approach. We are delighted to be working with this family company and to introduce them to our retail partners in Cannes this October.”