The history of Courvoisier began in the early 19th century when Emmanuel Courvoisier and Louis Gallois opened a wine and spirits business in Bercy, a suburb of Paris. Napoleon visited their business in 1811 and brought their cognac with him to Saint Helena. In 1843, Felix Courvoisier and Jules Gallois took over the business. Courvoisier gained recognition as the finest cognac and was appointed Official Supplier to the Imperial Court in 1869. The brand was further developed by the Simon family starting in 1909. The iconic symbols of the brand, the Napoleon silhouette and Josephine bottle, were introduced in 1950. Courvoisier is now owned by Jim Beam Global but maintains the same standards and traditions established over 200 years ago. Courvoisier Napoleon, created in the early 20th century, symbolizes the classic and traditional cognac. It is a blend of matured Grande and Petite Champagnes, aged at their best. This cognac is meant to honor Napoleon's love for Courvoisier and has a delicate and subtle bouquet with notes of cigars, pine, walnut liquor, ginger, and orange peel. It is known as the benchmark for other Napoleon cognacs.