Gassan and Courvoisier become entwined in a bejewelled launch

NETHERLANDS. Maxxium Travel Retail is celebrating the launch of its most prestigious Cognac in Courvoisier’s collection, L’Essence de Courvoisier, by collaborating with Dutch diamond company Gassan Diamonds, the concessionaire at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Gassan has produced two brilliant-cut diamond rings, each with their own certificate of quality and inspired by the L’Essence de Courvoisier bottle, which are available to buy exclusively at Schiphol Airport for two weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.

The rings are only available to buy when purchasing a bottle of L’Essence de Courvoisier. Both the Cognac and ring retail at €2,000 each.

Launched in travel retail across Europe in December 2009, L’Essence de Courvoisier is a blend of extremely rare Cognac from the most exclusive crus, Grande Champagne and Borderies, presented in a handcrafted Baccarat crystal decanter, innovatively suspended in a frame.

The finely crafted crystal stopper was inspired by the signet rings that Napoleon Bonaparte, who was known to hold Courvoisier in high regard, gave to commanders in his army in recognition of noble acts.

The Gassan-designed solitaire natural Cognac-coloured diamond, which rests in an 18ct white and yellow gold setting, is modelled on the L’Essence de Courvoisier crystal stopper and the shape of the bottle.

Two diamond rings inspired by the L’Essence de Courvoisier bottle are available to buy exclusively at Schiphol Airport


The jewel of Courvoisier’s portfolio

Maxxium Travel Retail Marketing Manager for Europe Mariska van Beukering said: “Following years of exploration by one of the world’s leading Cognac houses to create the perfect blend, L’Essence de Courvoisier is the jewel of Courvoisier’s permanent higher styles.

“This partnership brings together craftsmanship and passion and reflects the luxury credentials of both Courvoisier and Gassan. The offer is exclusive to customers of Schiphol Amsterdam airport, one of the largest airport retailers in Europe, with a strong focus on showcasing and building luxury brands.”

The Valentine’s Day offer of L’Essence de Courvoisier and the Gassan ring is available at two locations in Schiphol Airport’s Departure Lounge 2: Gassan’s Jewellery & Watches shop and the Liquor & Tobacco shop.

About Courvoisier Cognac

Founded in the early 19th century, Courvoisier Cognac has enjoyed more than 200 years of heritage and craftsmanship. To preserve its quality, every step of the production process is carried out to exacting standards. Even the oak which ages the eaux de vie is hand selected. Only grapes from the best four crus in the Cognac region are used.

Considered a pioneer in the industry, Courvoisier is the only Cognac to be awarded France’s highest honour for excellence – the Prestige de la France.

Courvoisier is a premium brand of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, part of Fortune Brands Inc.

L’Essence de Courvoisier tasting notes:

Aroma: Exquisite notes of sandalwood and cigar leaves, followed by toffee, marzipan and fresh honey, finished with the perfume of May blossom.

Finish: Liquorice, dried plum and apricot – full bodied and rich, building to a smouldering intensity that lingers on the palate.

The Gassan-designed solitaire natural Cognac-coloured diamond, which rests in an 18ct white and yellow gold setting, is modelled on the L’Essence de Courvoisier crystal stopper and the shape of the handcrafted Baccarat bottle


About Gassan Diamonds

Gassan Diamonds, a family-owned company, is housed in a former steam-driven diamond factory in the centre of Amsterdam. The company remains focused primarily on the polishing of diamonds, the wholesale and retail of set diamonds, loose polished diamonds, gold jewellery and watches. Gassan Diamonds has a leading position within the diamond industry through its introduction of a patented new cut, the Gassan 121. More than 350,000 tourists visit the historical diamond factory every year.

The subsidiary companies of Gassan Diamonds are Amsterdam Diamond Center, Gassan Schiphol and Van Pampus Jewels & Watches. In 1967, Gassan Schiphol BV established the first Diamond Desk at Schiphol.

Today, the company has 16 points of sale airside and one POS landside. Within the See, Buy & Fly concept, the Gassan Schiphol Jewellery & Watches shops present a collection ranging from silver jewellery to watches and diamonds. Gassan Schiphol is one of the largest concessionaires of the Schiphol Group and carries a number of top watch and jewellery brands, such as Rolex, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Tamara Comolli.

About Maxxium Travel Retail

Maxxium Travel Retail is the joint venture between Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc and The Edrington Group. The organisation manages premium brands from both companies’ portfolios, plus a number of third party brands in the majority of countries in Europe.

Maxxium Travel Retail is responsible for the marketing and distribution of the shareholders’ brands in most of European travel retail. It is one of the three leading spirits distributors in duty free and travel retail in Europe.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc

Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc, the world’s fourth largest premium spirits company, has a portfolio of top-100 brands, including Jim Beam, Courvoisier, Laphroaig, Maker’s Mark and Canadian Club as well as regional brands such as Teacher’s, Harveys, Cockburn’s, Kuemmerling and Sourz.

MORE STORIES ON COURVOISIER

Courvoisier discovers the essence of the brand – 07/10/09

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Courvoisier bottles fragrant spirit for Asian buyers – 10/05/07

MORE STORIES ON GASSAN

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Gassan makes a timely return to Changi with opening of watches stores at new T3 – 12/01/08

Gassan Diamonds and LVMH win Changi Terminal Three watches tender – 17/05/07

Gassan Schiphol opens first Rolex airport boutique outside Switzerland – 19/09/06

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