· Blenders International · Water Science
Why does Cognac reduce with "petites eaux" instead of plain water? Brandy's slow-reduction tradition, explained
Cognac and Armagnac houses rarely proof down with water alone. They use petites eaux — demineralised or distilled water pre-blended with eau-de-vie to a low strength, sometimes aged in cask before it is used — and they add it a couple of degrees at a time over months. The water in that mixture is the same neutral blending water a whisky bottler buys. What differs is the pace, the carrier, and the reason.