Agathe Boinot, the alchemist of cognac
At the age of 32, the youngest cellar master of the great houses is at the helm of Château de Cognac, the historic birthplace and producer of the Baron Otard and D'Ussé brands. A vocation for herself and an inspiration for others.
"I've always been fascinated by distillation, by the aromas and scents it develops." Agathe Boinot didn't fall into a cask of cognac when she was a child, so there's no family atavism for this Parisian, who's just used to spending time in the Charente region. She simply has a vocation for spirits, which has already taken her far: in 2024, the trained oenologist became cellar master at Château de Cognac, a place steeped in history that saw the birth of François Iᵉʳ, and the production site for the Baron Otard and D'Ussé brands. at 32, her background makes her the youngest woman from the major houses in this prestigious position."My first experience in the region, at Raby, was decisive: a remarkable family estate that owned its own brand, but also pineaux and liqueurs, a whole panoply in the Spirit Valley spirit."
Cognac, between heritage and modernity
The next step was taken in 2016 by the Bacardi group, which sent him to Château de Cognac three years later, with a view to succeeding Michel Casavecchia. Having honed her skills with this experienced professional, Agathe Boinot is ready for a two-faceted mission:"Working on two brands at the same time is an exciting challenge, involving different technical choices. I'm never bored!" Baron Otard is the embodiment of Château de Cognac, a heritage that has been handed down from generation to generation since 1795. D'Ussé, founded in 2012 with American rapper Jay-Z, conveys the modernity of cognac. "I was able to collaborate with its creator, which is very rare, I know 100% of its DNA: D'Ussé was designed to be consumed mainly in cocktails, with a short range between VSOP and XO worked on spices. Baron Otard represents the great tradition of cognac with its multiple references."
dR
With Château de Cognac, Agathe Boinot benefits from an ideal tool - with its wet cellars or drier ones on the upper floors - to play with blends and typicity, and to deepen ageing. In a difficult context for cognac sales, his faith remains intact in the appeal of a product of excellence and the French art of living. Perhaps the future lies more with women, whose representation and visibility she wants to defend.things have already changed," she assures us. In my oenology class, in 2015, there was exact parity for the first time. We need to continue these efforts, to inspire young women not to conform to what they hear. The spirits business is made for us. It's the same profession for everyone, men and women alike."
