Heavenly Spirits, established in 2008, is a leading national importer of French spirits in the United States. Co-founders Christine Cooney and Dan Cooney have crafted an award-winning roster of distilled spirits, including Armagnac, Calvados, Cognac, Absinthe, Gin, Rum, Vodka, Whisky, and various liqueurs. Since 2009, it has been the number one importer of Armagnac in the U.S by volume. Currently, the Heavenly Spirits portfolio is represented in 38 U.S. states.
Raised in France with a deep appreciation for food, wine, and spirits, Christine Cooney shares her passion for French spirits with a wide audience, focusing on authenticity and quality. Christine’s interest in spirits dates back to her childhood. Her grandfather, a farmer and wine merchant, introduced her to Armagnac when she was 6 or 7 years old. This early exposure steered the course of her career, leading to her debut job as a trilingual assistant for a cognac company.
She moved to San Francisco in 1988, two years after meeting Dan, and started working as a spirits broker and the director of US sales for an Italian wine consortium. Meanwhile, Dan was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at UC Berkeley. He supported Christine in her work and started learning the workings of the spirits industry alongside her.
Christine’s contributions to the spirits industry were recognized with the award of the “Ordre du Mérite Agricole”, French knighthood, endowing her with the title “Chevalière.”
Heavenly Spirits prioritizes high-quality brandies from smaller producers, offered for a fair price. Christine discloses, “We almost immediately became (and remain) the leading importer of Armagnacs in the U.S., accounting for nearly 40% of the market share in volume.”
The company’s reach isn’t limited to France; plans are in motion to bring in their first non French spirit as they hope to be introducing an apple brandy that combines Irish and French brandies by the Spring of 2024. Additionally, they will soon be offering a super-premium line of Ready-to-Drink, made in France cocktails called Le Barteleur. These high end RTDs will be available in 700ML bottles and suitable for both on and off premise markets.
The story of Heavenly Spirits is intertwined with the personal journey of its founders. The name Heavenly Spirits was inspired by the portion of an ageing cellar known as ‘le Paradis.’ This term also refers to the ‘angels’ share,’ the spirits that evaporate through the barrels during maturation.
Their success in the industry is a result of their focus on building authentic relationships with the small and medium-sized, family-run businesses that supply them. They pride themselves on promoting French spirit culture and believe their role as educators is as essential as their role as importers and distributors.
Looking ahead, the future of Heavenly Spirits seems equally promising as contributions from the next generation of the Cooney family have begun. Christine and Dan’s sons, Austin and Keenan, are getting involved in different facets of the company.
In conclusion, Heavenly Spirits has successfully managed to bridge the gap between France and the U.S. through its spirits. Their focus on authenticity and quality has placed them firmly in the industry, with a bright future ahead.
Armagnac
Armagnac is a distinctive type of brandy produced in the Armagnac region in Gascony, southwest France. It’s one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world, with production methods dating back to the 14th century.
Armagnac is produced from a blend of grapes, including Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Baco, and Colombard. After the grapes are harvested, they’re fermented into a low-alcohol wine, which is then distilled using a column still. This method produces a bold, high-alcohol spirit.
The distilled spirit is then aged in oak barrels. As it ages, the Armagnac absorbs the flavors of the wood, the local air, and the elements, enhancing its complexity and depth. The resulting spirit is characterized by its full-bodied, robust, and rich flavor, with fruity and earthy notes.
Armagnac is usually denoted with an age statement, which signifies the number of years it has been aged in the barrel. There are various classifications such as VS (Very Special), aged for at least two years; VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), aged for at least four years; XO (Extra Old), aged for at least ten years; and Hors d’Age, aged for at least ten years but usually signifying a premium product often much older.
Unlike its famous cousin Cognac, Armagnac is less known outside Europe but is greatly cherished by spirits connoisseurs for its authentic and unique characteristics.
0 comments on “An Elevated Journey for Heavenly Spirits ”