Courvoisier Initiale Extra is a prestige Hors d'Age Cognac blending over 60 eaux-de-vie aged between 30 and 50 years, sourced from the Grande Champagne and Borderies crus of the Cognac region in France. Bottled at 40% ABV in 750ml, this expression is crafted by Master Blender Patrice Pinet, who ages the spirits in oak barrels to develop extraordinary complexity. Courvoisier, one of the historic "Big Four" cognac houses founded in 1828 and long celebrated as "The Cognac of Napoleon," considers the Initiale Extra the symbol of total finesse and everything the house represents.

The nose is heady with forest floor aromas of rich truffles and cedar wood, with notes of port wine and fruit cake bringing warmth and richness. On the palate the long aging process delivers an intense, concentrated character with a wonderful rancio — earthy notes of wild mushroom and a deep, balanced finish from the Premier Cru eaux-de-vie. The bottle takes an elegant sinuous teardrop shape with a golden decanter, and this cognac is best appreciated neat.