Courvoisier Logo PNG
Elegance and grace are read in the emblem of alcohol. The Courvoisier logo is reminiscent of the times when Napoleon himself drank cognac. The sign focuses on the drink’s age, aging, delicate taste, and elitism.
Courvoisier is an elite cognac produced in France since 1835, made by blending four grape varieties, then distilled and aged in special oak barrels. The brand complies with European standards and is among the few that have the full right to be called cognac rather than brandy. The monarchs of France, England, Denmark, and Sweden appreciated its taste. The drink was served at the Eiffel Tower’s opening, and instead of stars, diamonds were affixed to the brand’s labels.
The company is based in the Charente district, the homeland of cognac, and is one of the four largest producers of drinks. The company exports up to 15 million bottles per year. The company’s products include seven classic options. Among them, both the usual varieties of VS and VSOP aged from 4 to 10 years and more elite drinks (Napoleon, 18-Year-Old, Initiale Extra, L’Essence) aged from 11 to 50 years. Each of the species has from two to seven honorary awards. In addition, there are unique blends dedicated to specific dates or events (for example, the 200th anniversary of Bonaparte’s coronation). They include alcohols of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since 2005, cognac has been owned by the Japanese company Suntory Holdings Limited, which produces beer and spirits.
Meaning and History
The business was founded at the very beginning of the 19th century, when Courvoisier (Emmanuel Courvoisier), with the support of the city’s mayor, Louis Vallois, opened his company to sell elite wines produced in the region. And then he became a winemaker himself. Subsequently, their children moved production to the city near Cognac (Zharnak) so that the drink had the most authentic taste. The company’s headquarters are still located there. In 1843, the partners officially registered the Courvoisier company. Production remained with the founding families until 1909, after which the brand passed to English owners. Courvoisier was purchased by the company’s agent in the United Kingdom, as the drink was highly valued there. The brand’s original design, its emblems, and the merit of the new owners. They connected the history of the company’s logo to France, the founder, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
What is Courvoisier?
This company, owned by Beam Suntory, represents the pinnacle of French cognac craftsmanship. It produces exceptional spirits in the town of Jarnac in the Cognac region. The company offers a unique range of cognacs, from the versatile VS to the luxurious XO Imperial, through meticulous grape selection and aging expertise. Using eaux-de-vie from the finest plots of Grande and Petite Champagne, the company stands out for its unique blending technique, creating incredibly smooth cognacs with delicate floral aromas and depth of flavor.
Old
The first visual sign featured the emperor himself. The company has used his image since 1909. The emblem depicted the commander’s waist-deep shadow, surrounded by clouds, inside an oval, in the center of which the brand’s very name was written. The signature at the bottom read “cognac,” and even lower, a small postscript “Napoleon’s brandy.” The label had a cream background. All inscriptions and drawings are in black. The letters increased towards the center, creating a three-dimensional effect, hinting at the shape of a bottle of an elite drink.
The silhouette of Bonaparte on the emblem, along with an additional inscription using an “informal nam,e” appeared in connection with the emperor’s attention to this drink. It was believed that the commander visited Courvoisier’s warehouses during a visit to Bercy and purchased their products for his soldiers. And four years later, going into exile, he took a couple of barrels of elite brandy with him. On the way, the British who accompanied the captive tried his stock and began calling it Napoleon’s cognac. In 1869, the emperor’s nephew granted Courvoisier the title of purveyor to the Imperial Court.
The shadow of Napoleon on the label was meant to convey the emperor’s love, and his presence in the clouds symbolized the brand’s patronage even after his earthly journey ended. It also hinted at the brandy’s high “ethereal” taste, worthy of royalty.
The cream background was typical for the decals of that time. In Courvoisier, it denoted the drink’s soft taste.
New
Simonov left the brand briefly during World War II to avoid being taken away by the German invaders. The head of the company, George S., who left for the UK for a while, sold it to his French friends, and after the war, he bought it back. The owner continued to develop the brand in Napoleon’s style and, in 1951, introduced a new drink named after the commander’s wife, Josephine. Gradually, this form became a classic for expensive cognacs. By the end of the century, the brand logo had become more elegant and modern. The change in ownership in 2005 did not affect the mark’s main motif.
The new logo looks much more sophisticated. It has ornate inscriptions in the French style, with serifs on the letters. The center of the composition is the letter V, symbolizing the word “victory.” Above it is the shadow of Napoleon, and below this letter is emphasized by an unusual leg of the letter R. The word “brandy” was removed because, under the new rules, Courvoisier is among the few that may be called “cognac.” Therefore, the signature reads: “Cognac of Napoleon.” The image of the Emperor has become more schematic, resembling a golden seal impression. Everything in the new sign indicates the high royal status of cognac.
Font and Colors
Both the first and second emblems of the drink were made in black and white. This is a symbol of classic taste, strict adherence to the recipe, and the ancient roots of this company’s cognacs. Since 2015, the logo has used gold, which conveys the drink’s premium quality and elitism.
The font of the first character is similar to Tw Cen MT Condensed Extra Bold. The new emblem uses the Colonna MT font, but with a longer R stem. It is more in tune with the drink’s sophisticated bouquet and its French roots.