Getting To Know Cognac Power Couple Cyril + Alexa Camus

Photo Credit: Camus
CAMUS, THE LARGEST FAMILY-OWNED INDEPENDENT cognac house, has been in existence since 1863. Now, five generations later, its owners, board president and CEO Cyril Camus and his wife, board vice president Alexa Camus, have taken over, effectively passing on the passion, heritage, tradition, know-how, and excellence behind the brand. Here, this power couple discuss the company’s heritage, as well as its past, present, and future ahead of its latest launch: the Cuvée 4.186 Electrum, the 7th edition from the Cuvée Masterpiece Collection.

Photo Credit: Camus

Entrepreneurship and family are clearly key pillars in your life. Can you talk about your family history, your lineage, and what made you want to take over the family business?

Cyril: The history of the Camus family in the cognac business is a rich and storied one, spanning five generations, and it’s a legacy that I’m both proud and honored to carry forward. My great-great-grandfather, Jean-Baptiste Camus, founded the company in 1863, in the heart of the Cognac region. Since then, each generation of our family has played a role in expanding our brand. Growing up, I was immersed in the world of cognac. From a young age, I spent time in our family vineyards, witnessed the delicate art of distillation, and learned the craft of blending and aging cognac. As I continued to learn about the family business and the cognac industry, I wanted to take on the responsibility of carrying our legacy. The prospect of preserving and expanding the Camus brand was both a privilege and a challenge I eagerly embraced. I am committed to honoring our heritage while ensuring that Camus remains a symbol of quality and tradition for generations to come.

Maintaining a family business for over 160 years is a remarkable achievement. What do you think has been the key to Camus’ longevity and success through five generations?

Cyril: We have kept five key pillars at the center of everything we do: passion, ambition, determination, perfectionism, and sincerity. It is my job to transpose those values in everything we do at Camus. We have a fierce commitment to tradition; a passion for quality; a spirit of innovation and adaptation; strong family values; a global vision; and long term perspective. It’s the harmonious balance of these elements that has allowed us to maintain our position as the world’s largest family-owned independent cognac house.

Your focus on luxury has been instrumental in shaping Camus’ direction. Can you elaborate on this journey?

Alexa: Cyril and I found ourselves at the intersection of two distinct cultural backgrounds. While France is known to be the birthplace of luxury, its cultural inclination toward understatement has historically tempered conspicuous consumption. On the other hand, my experiences in Eastern Europe and China have shown me the close connection between status and luxury, and how indulging in luxury goods often serves as a statement of individuality and uniqueness. My background in luxury and global markets has been pivotal in continuing to elevate Camus’ luxury portfolio.

You are completely a power couple of cognac. How do you approach business and pleasure, as well as mixing your personal life with your professional one?

Cyril: For us, it’s truly about combining business and pleasure. We are both laser-focused on our business. It is a shared passion that brings us pleasure.
Alexa: Operating a family business is a unique journey where life and business harmoniously intertwine, often blurring the lines between the two. This phenomenon has given us a hyper-dynamic lifestyle, but I absolutely love it. One day, we find ourselves in New York at a high-profile business event, and the next, we’re in Paris attending a glamorous gala. We also had the pleasure of hosting the Chinese ambassador to France and former prime minister of France. As I jet off to China to participate in a business forum as a keynote speaker, Cyril heads to Boston. It often feels like we can accomplish twice as much in the same period.

The sky is clearly the limit when you and your partner share the same vision. Where do you see Camus going in the next five years?

Alexa: In the next five years, Camus is poised to reach new heights and redefine what it means to be a luxury cognac house. Our primary goal remains to craft the world’s finest cognac. Our vision extends beyond being a prestigious cognac house: we’re evolving into a true luxury brand that happens to create exceptional cognac. The pinnacle of this evolution is our upper line of Camus cognacs, which are collectible works of art. We’re planning to expand this exclusive range, offering connoisseurs even more options. To add an extra layer of artistry, we’ve established the Camus Atelier. There, our master craftsmen create bespoke pieces that are akin to haute couture in the world of spirits. Handmade leather goods, precious metals, and gemstones come together to produce unique and breathtaking creation, often one of a kind, with a waiting list of six to eight months. One exciting development is in Haikou, where we’ve unveiled the largest duty free cognac gallery. This immersive space showcases the Camus brand while offering a unique experience to visitors. We also opened the Camus Residence, an opulent private apartment nestled in the heart of Paris. We now have exciting plans to establish more “brand temples” in key markets over the next five years. The only thing I can share is that the next one will be a sustainable green project in a tropical location, imagined by a renowned architect.
Cyril: We see Camus cognac continuing to expand its global presence and uphold its reputation for luxury and quality. We recently finished a new space in Paris — Camus Residence — which will be another way for consumers to immerse themselves in the world of Camus.