Renowned Cognac House Maison Courvoisier will be showcasing Yinka Ilori’s limited-edition Courvoisier VSOP bottle design in a vivid installation serving up contemporary cocktail pairings at London luxury retailer Selfridges.
Maison Courvoisier, the Most Awarded Cognac House*, is set to bring a playful touch to the capital this summer in an eye-catching installation at Selfridges London. For three weeks from 21st August, a striking makeover will be given to the luxury retailer’s ground floor Wonder Room to celebrate the bold visual identity of the new limited-edition Courvoisier VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) bottle, which was born from a collaboration with British Nigerian artist, Yinka Ilori,
Ilori, the artist, designer and storyteller, returns for the second year as Courvoisier’s “Ambassador of Joy” – this time with a limited-edition bottle design available in four unique ombre colours inspired by the joy of a summer’s day in Jarnac, France, the home of Courvoisier.
The new Courvoisier & Yinka Ilori space in the Wonder Room will be a coming together of these two worlds, taking on a vivid colour palette to match both the artist’s signature bold designs and the vibrant beauty of Jarnac.
Central to the space will be a striking bar, serving up three bespoke Courvoisier VSOP cognac cocktails. Each cocktail will be paired with a bold creation from gourmet confectionist The Marshmallowist, specially conceived to match the drinks’ flavours.
The trio comprises:
- The Gala, which blends Courvoisier VSOP with Sicilian lemonade, will be paired with a vibrantly coloured blueberry, hibiscus and lemon marshmallow decorated with a dramatic chocolate print.
- Roasted Peach Daisy, a blend of cognac with apricot liqueur, roasted peach syrup and lemon juice, matched with a peach-flavoured marshmallow whose caramelised Courvoisier sugar top will be torched for a brûlé effect.
- And finally, the French 125, which mixes the cognac with lemon juice, sparkling wine and spiced vanilla syrup, served alongside an ombre chocolate teacake marshmallow – its vanilla mallow fluff surrounding a Courvoisier gel centre encased in white Belgian chocolate.
VS and XO cognacs will also be available from the bar for the duration of the experience.
The Maison’s VSOP boasts a complex richness, its delicate bouquet and elegant balance of oak and exotic flavours revealing harmonious under-notes of peach, toasted almond and jasmine. A blend of four crus, it is aged up to 12 years in the house’s proprietary barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
Internationally known for his bold, vibrant designs, Ilori was first commissioned by the Maison in 2022 to bring to life the house’s mission to honour its heritage and embrace the future. This campaign included the launch of a new Courvoisier identity centred around the French concept of “joie de vivre” – the savouring of life’s true pleasures.
Ilori’s limited-edition bottle will be available in the UK exclusively at Selfridges London and on Selfridges.com, retailing at £200.00. Only 1,000 bottles will be available globally, with 400 available in-store and online at Selfridges, with additional releases in the US, Canada and France in October 2023.
*Based on 20 top spirits competitions since 2019.
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