B and B by Benedictine is a classic French liqueur that marries the legendary Benedictine D.O.M. herbal liqueur with fine Cognac in a single ready blended bottle. This is the older style B and B, made with Cognac rather than the French brandy used in the current release, a distinction prized by collectors and enthusiasts of the brand. Benedictine itself is one of the world's most storied liqueurs, a proprietary recipe of 27 herbs and spices first created at the Benedictine Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy and revived in the 19th century by Alexandre Le Grand, who built the ornate Palais Benedictine where the liqueur is still made today. B and B was born in the 1930s at the famed Club 21 in Manhattan, where a bartender began cutting Benedictine with brandy to answer a growing demand for a drier, less sweet, more spirit forward style. The house made that mix official, blending roughly 60 percent Benedictine with 40 percent fine spirit and maturing it in French oak in a process that takes over two years to fully balance. The Cognac contributes structure, warmth and refined oak derived depth that complement rather than mask the intricate botanical backbone, so B and B is noticeably drier and warmer than straight Benedictine. Bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume, it pours an old gold amber and offers a fragrant bouquet of honey, citrus peel, herbs, vanilla and sweet spice. The palate is warm, dry and layered, weaving honeyed sweetness with herbal, citrus and woody notes over a mellow oak base, and the finish is silky and long with lingering vanilla and gingerbread warmth. Wonderfully versatile, it is lovely served neat or on the rocks as an after dinner sipper, and it shines in classic cocktails such as the Vieux Carre, Bobby Burns or a B and B Coffee.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Benedictine |
| Producer |
Benedictine SA (Palais Benedictine), Fecamp, Normandy |
| Category |
Liqueur (herbal liqueur & Cognac blend) |
| Expression |
B&B (D.O.M.) — Cognac blend (older style) |
| Composition |
Approx 60% Benedictine D.O.M. + 40% Cognac |
| Maturation |
French oak (2+ year blending/maturation) |
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
France |
| Region |
Normandy |
Tasting Notes
Color: Old gold amber.
Nose: Honey, citrus peel, herbs, vanilla and sweet spice.
Palate: Warm, dry and layered, honeyed sweetness with herbal, citrus and woody notes over mellow oak.
Finish: Silky and long with lingering vanilla and gingerbread warmth.
FAQ
What is B&B by Benedictine? It is a French liqueur that pre blends Benedictine D.O.M. herbal liqueur with fine spirit, making it drier and more spirit forward than straight Benedictine.
How is this version different? This is the older style B and B, blended with Cognac. The current release is made with French brandy, so this Cognac version is of particular interest to collectors.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume, which is 80 proof.
What does D.O.M. mean? D.O.M. stands for Deo Optimo Maximo, a Benedictine motto meaning to God, most good, most great, and it appears on every bottle of Benedictine.
How should I drink it? Neat or on the rocks after dinner, or in classic cocktails like the Vieux Carre, Bobby Burns or a B and B Coffee.
Where can I buy B&B by Benedictine D.O.M. Cognac Liqueur online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
