As National Cognac Day is celebrated across the country, one Chicago entrepreneur is offering a reminder that luxury can be rooted in culture, resilience, and purpose.
Nikki Chachere, founder and CEO of Epochal Cognac, has built more than a spirits brand — she’s building a legacy. The Chicago-born Air Force veteran spent 11 years serving in combat zones including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait before transitioning into the worlds of fashion, storytelling, and entrepreneurship.
Today, those experiences have helped shape the foundation of Epochal Cognac, a luxury spirits company designed to honor history while redefining who gets to participate in it.
Raised by her grandparents after being adopted, Chachere learned early on how to create her own path. That mindset followed her from military service to modeling, creative direction, and eventually becoming the founder of a cognac brand in an industry where Black women remain underrepresented.
“Her journey is proof that legacy is built, not given.”
Before launching Epochal Cognac, Chachere built a name for herself through fashion and creative work under her personal brand, Mizznik. Her journey included features connected to Vogue culture, appearances during New York Fashion Week, and international modeling campaigns. But entrepreneurship remained the ultimate goal.
That vision eventually became Epochal Cognac, a brand Chachere describes as deeply personal and culturally significant. Rather than simply entering the cognac space, she set out to create a brand that reflects her own experiences while celebrating heritage, craftsmanship, and modern luxury.
Under her leadership, Epochal Cognac has evolved into more than a bottle on the shelf. The company positions itself at the intersection of storytelling, art, fashion, culture, and elevated experiences.
Through curated events, cultural collaborations, and intentional brand-building, Chachere is creating a space where ambition and authenticity coexist.
A Launch Event Rooted In Culture And Community
Epochal Cognac will officially introduce itself to Chicago during its launch event on June 4 at The Wild Hare Cocktail & Spirits Lounge. The evening is expected to bring together members of the city’s hospitality industry, media professionals, tastemakers, entrepreneurs, and supporters for an exclusive first look — and first taste — of the luxury cognac brand.
Guests will experience the debut of Epochal’s VSOP expression while enjoying curated cocktails, food by New Line Tavern, and music from Chicago DJ Kid Clay. More than a product launch, the event is positioned as a celebration of Black entrepreneurship, culture, and legacy, reflecting founder Nikki Chachere’s vision of creating spaces where luxury, storytelling, and community intersect.
The launch will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Epochal Cognac, a Chicago-headquartered brand produced in Cognac, France and built around the idea that tradition and innovation can coexist.
As conversations continue about representation in business and ownership, Chachere’s story stands out as an example of what can happen when vision meets discipline. From serving her country to building a luxury spirits brand, she has transformed personal experiences into a business designed to leave a lasting impact.
And on National Cognac Day, her journey serves as a reminder that some of the most powerful stories behind a bottle are the ones that inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to create their own table rather than wait for a seat at someone else’s.
