AN award winning brandy business from Bradford on Avon has sold one of its vintage bottles for nearly a quarter of a million pounds.

Brandy Classics, of Trowbridge Road, sold a bottle of Massougnes 1801 Cognac, under its Hermitage Cognac label, which went for a whopping £222,000 - making it one of the most expensive bottles of the spirit ever bought.

Although the prestigious brandy firm is accustomed to selling some of their specialist produce for thousands of pounds, the fact that someone actually bought when it was on display at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, it took everyone at Brandy Classics by surprise.

"For something of that value to actually be sold took us all by surprise - it is all very exciting," said David Baker, who founded the business nearly 30 years ago.

"The shop, who we do deals with regularly and put many of our produce on their shelves, called us saying that someone was keen on buying the imperial three-quarter gallon bottle.

"And within the hour, much to their shock and excitement, they announced that the gentleman had bought the cognac which was fantastic news.

"Usually when we sell bottles that are in the thousands we usually sell to hotels so this was certainly different.

"We could not quite believe it and it is understandable. Although we have been going for all of this time, it is not every day that you sell something for nearly a quarter of a million pounds."

Brandy Classics, which exports its produce across the world including to China and Thailand, sells a range of vintage brandies and cognacs from 1900-2000 and sources from individual small producers in France.

This particular bottle was purchased near Aigre in South Western France by Mr Baker almost two decades ago. He purchased it from a direct descendant of Louis VII, Marie-Antoinette des Allées, Comtesse de la Bourdeliere whose family owns the former Cognac producing estate.

"There really are not a lot of these around. It is very rare and very special. It is of immense quality, I can assure you," added Mr Baker, who has given talks about his craft, spreading his expertise to bar and restaurant staff from the world's top hotels and restaurants.

"Sales like this are great for increasing our exposure and drumming up interest in our stock.

"The more interest we attract, the more stock we can build up, along with an increased investment into our internet sales."

Over the years the business was a gold medal winner at the International Wine & Spirits Competition and has repeatedly claimed the Cognac Grand Master award and the Master Medal Winners for its produce.

Aside from the Hermitage cognacs and brandies, it offers a range of armagnacs and calvados, some of the earliest vintages dating from around 1800, costing up to £63,000 a bottle.