The Dudognon family have grown grapes in the small village of Lignières-Sonneville since 1776. This village is about 11 miles southeast of the town Cognac in the heart of the famed Grande Champagne zone. After the Second World War, Raymond Dudognon raised the domaine's reputation to new levels with his close attention to detail and minimal intervention of his spirits. These days, under the stewardship of his daughter Claudine and her husband, they are one of the only Cognac producers to not sell any of their brandy to the big houses, instead focusing on their own terroir driven, well aged bottlings, always bottled naturally, without any added sweeteners, coloring, or flavoring. 

The Vieille Reserve is an intricate, complex, and delicate 20 year old Cognac with a fine rancio note on the nose, along with hints of honey, coffee, and spice. Soft and sweet in the mouth, the subtle but complex finish is the highlight, with a savory, umami rancio note that lingers on for several minutes.