What Is The Best Cognac To Drink

Should Cognac Be Decanted

While cognac looks stunning in a crystal decanter on your bar cart, it doesnt necessarily need to be poured from its original container. Unlike certain wines, it does not have sediment that opens up when exposed to oxygen, and can instead be poured straight from the bottle and consumed immediately.

Most Popular French Cognac Brands

Contrary to what its name implies, cognac is a little simpler. The French spirit should be treated as you would treat wine, its closest relative will help you better grasp it. Cognac is a type of brandy produced in the western French commune bearing its name.

Similar to the greatest wines, it is associated with a specific geographic location and must be produced using a limited number of grapes. Cognac has matured and blending criteria similar to an Italian wine from the Chianti region or a Bordeaux. The proper technique to drink cognac is using a specific type of cognac glass. Enter and give it a good sniff and taste.

Cognac has its types, and leaving them out in this article would confuse you more than educate. Here are some of the types of Cognac:

The 9 Best Cognac Brands To Drink For Every Occasion

We are here to look at some of the best cognac brands on the market and see why they stand out from others. Cognac is a brandy named after the commune in France where it was invented.

To be a cognac, it should be twice-distilled in copper stills, then kept in oak casks for two years . Because of these designations, Cognac has had a reputation as an expensive or fancy spirit and therefore has not been the first choice when selecting a liquor from the shelfbut it can be.

Here is a quick recap of our top cognac brands:

We have looked far and wide to find many of the best Cognac brands to guide you. We gathered our picks from all over the web, including exclusive sites such as The Whiskey Advocate and Liquor.com.

Some brand names that we will cover today may be at your local shop. While others might be harder to find . These brands and their assortment of options will range in price, flavor, and quality. Well get into that more later.

But for now, sit back as we take you through the world of Cognac.

Read Also: Where To Buy Bellion Vodka

Region: Charente Francetasting Notes: Almond Notes With Cinnamon And Raisins Dry Woody Finish

Courvoisier VSOP Cognac has always been well-known and a loved classic. Considering it’s from Courvoisier, one of the Big Four Cognac houses, it’s not surprising that this blend has a spot on the podium.

The bottle gives off a dark amber color with reddish undertones. However, if you pour the drink into a glass, the color becomes more copper-like.

The well-balanced complexity of this blend can be attributed to the Grande, Petite Champagne, and the Fins Bois. Plus, this Cognac has spent 8 to 12 years aging. The toasted almonds, stone fruits, baking spice flavors, and toffee are apparent in their dry finish that lingers long enough to enjoy it.

What Did We Enjoy This Year Thanks For Asking Here Are Our Favorite Spirits Of 2022

It’s that time of year again: Awards season. As 2022 comes to a close, it’s time to recognize the top performers, shakers and movers, and most inventive voices in all the land. For the world of drinks in particular, it has been a wondrous year.Maybe it was the nature of 2022, or perhaps the lessons we learned from the trying previous two years. Whatever the reason, the drinks business really flexed its muscles this year not in terms of dramatic volumes or over-the-top options , but in terms of top-quality options that reflect exactly what we want in our glasses right now.

It’s been quite a year for agave spirits and gin especially. The former had a record-breaking year in terms of sales, and the latter really embraced terroir, shapeshifting into a spirit that can go toe-to-toe with the best of ’em, even just neat in the glass. Oh, and whiskey got a new category. We can’t wait to taste more of these as they come online and name the best of 2023.

For now, here are the best spirits of 2022.

Read Also: Where To Buy Wheatley Vodka

Region: Jarnac Francetasting Notes: Floral Notes Of Iris And Lilac With Elegant Cedar Wood Tones

Hine Antique XO Cognac has been expertly blended with eau-de-vie from Grande Champagne. This modern liquor is already a spin-off of the original 1920 recipe, made specially by the one and only Hine. The Cognac house then made new developments to the recipe in 2010.

The sweet vanilla and ripe green fruit aromas are immediately apparent when this bottle is opened. A few seconds later, you’ll notice some delicate earthy tones that emphasize the sweetness and fruitiness of the blend.

It is described as a warmed-up version of an exotic Cognac with sweet and spicy notes.

Region: Grande And Petite Champagne Francetasting Notes: Candied Orange With Violets Oak And Apple Caramel

Hine Rare VSOP is an outstanding blend of Cognac that uses 25 different Eaux-de-vie from Grande or Petite Champagne. These are all made with Ugni Blanc grapes and have been aged for about 6 to 12 years in French Limousin oak barrels before blending them for an exquisite taste.

This bottle has an elegant nose characterized by roasted nectarines and apricots. After tasting each sip, the palate is full-bodied with rich, fruity flavors that transition beautifully into ginger, chocolate, orange, and oak. Its finish is described to be clean and has notes of dried stone fruits.

Read Also: What Tequila Is On Queen Of The South

Region: Fins Bois Francetasting Notes: Ripe Apricot Pear And Vanilla Scent

The Bache-Gabrielsen American Oak Aged Cognac is one of the most delicate and distinctive Cognacs in today’s time. Tennessee oak barrels give it an extra layer that makes it stand out from other brands.

Furthermore, this brand has a new twist on an old classic. They have always been committed to producing quality wine using the classic Ugni Blanc grape variety. But with their innovation, they’re throwing in a minimum of 6 months to finish the aging period in American Tennessee Oak barrels.

The aroma of this Cognac is one that you can’t help but take deep breaths. It features delicate notes of pineapple and coconut mixed with undertones of rich cocoa and vanilla from the initial aging from French oak.

If Its Old Drink It Straight

As soon as there is any depth or complexity with a cognac, Desoblin says, it should not be used in cocktails. Save those pricey XO and hors dage spirits for sipping. Aged brandies have very delicate and subtle notes, and he suggests having them without mixers, food or even cigars. Desoblin prefers his cognac after dinner with little distraction. Prerequisites: no stress, anger or loud people around!

Also Check: Cherry Brandy Black Eyed Susan

Rmy Martin Fine Champagne Vsop

Age: Price: Price Range:

Notes: Produced in the heart of the Cognac region, Remy only uses grapes grown from the Cognac Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne area for this, their VSOP offering. . Distilled in small classic alembic charentais copper stills the resulting eau de vie is then aged in Limousin oak in their private cellars and then is carefully blended to profile. Remy offers many different cognacs to fit ones taste and/or budget within their portfolio. Remys is also actually one of the few producers who bottle a vintage year release, the latest being their 1989 release. Two other cognacs of theirs that we have reviewed are the 1989 Vintage and 1738 Accord Royal

First Impression: Apricots, figs, apples, vanilla, caramel, leather and oily nuts and some oak. A sweet, concentrated champagne or jam like-like smell to it with an admixture of floral scents. Very distinctive, aromatic with a nice blend of heavier bass notes to it also.

Appearance: Attractive red/gold color, leaves thin coat on swirling. Could be mistaken for a bourbon in color.

Taste: Sweetish entry , then drying pleasantly. Medium silky body, with a lot of ripe fruit notes, with concentrated almost raisin or ice wine type notes with hints of vanilla and oak pepper and a lovely lingering finish.

Other: One of the more outstanding products in large portfolio of products ranging in age and price.

Website:

Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula Cognac

Price:

Notes: One of the youngest expression in a long line of cognacs this one designed in both taste in profile for mixing, the others being Ambre, Reserve, Reserve Dieux, Selection de Anges, Abel, Ancestrale, and their most prestigious Memoires all the cognacs use only Grand Champagne grapes many others in the industry only use them in their much more expensive bottlings.

Double distilled in somewhat unusual onion headed copper pot cognac/alembic stills from a base wine with lees it is then aged in French Limousin Oak casks until ready to be blended. Please see our adventure section to see .This particular expression as mentioned above is designed to replicate the earlier 3 Star style of cognac that was a mainstay in the later 19th century and early 20th century as a style used widely as a mixer and for more casual consumption

Appearance: Attractive golden wheat/dark straw gold color, leaves a thin coat on swirling. Could be mistaken for a young bourbon in color. Rather heavy-bodied in a nice way. On swirling it starts with a scalloped edge line then forms a few legs.First Impression: Pears, citrus, caramel, violets, heirloom roses, and some oak and tobacco. A rather sweet for a cognac on the nose with heavy aromas that seem plush and weighty. Reminds me a bit of the Moet Chandon Petit Champagne liqueur of years past.

Other: 1st Cru Grande Champagne grapes twice-distilled in copper alembic pot stills and aged in French oak casks.

Also Check: How Do You Drink Rye Whiskey

Don’t Add Water Or Ice

Water tends to make cognac too bland, unless you deal with a cask-strength bottling, which is rare, Desoblin says, and ice just kills it. In general, serve the spirit neat, at room temperature or slightly cooler. The traditional snifter, with its wide, balloon-shaped bottom and narrow top, is the ideal vessel, Desoblin says: It allows for swirling and therefore the liberation of aromatic compounds.

Frapin’s Chteau Fontpinot Xo Is The Best Of The Best

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Liquors / Chloe Jeong

Cognac is the spirit you should be reaching for and drinking now, says certified cognac educator Ms. Franky Marshall. Thats, in part, because of its diversity. Made from grapesprimarily high-acid, low-alcohol ugni blanc varietythat are fermented, twice-distilled, and then matured in oak barrels before blending and bottling, this brandy from Frances Cognac region is not just for sipping after dinner by the fire. In fact, its one of the widest-ranging spirits categories out there.

Much of the difference between bottles has to do with how long they are aged. Younger VS, or very special, cognac is blended from brandies at least two years old, while an XO cognac, or “extra-old” cognac, gets its rich depth because it must be aged at least six years. The VSOP, or very superior old pale cognacs, blended from four-year and older brandies, are right in the middle, with characteristics of both youth and age.

We consulted with our experts and have curated the best cognacs to get right now. Thanks to its balanced flavors and intense aromatics, Frapin’s Château Fontpinot XO is our top pick.

Read on for our complete list to find your next favorite cognac.

Don’t Miss: Can You Make Mojitos With Tequila

What To Mix With Cognac

There are a lot of diverse Cognac mixed drinks that combine multiple spirits and ingredient mixtures to create one-of-a-kind experiences.

And when it comes to what to mix with cognac, there are some great Cognac mixers such as fresh lemon juice, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, aromatic bitters, orange liqueur, ginger ale, wine, lime juice, lemon, and lemon zest.

And Cognac cocktails can be served in different glassware, such as a rocks glass, cocktail glass, a highball glass, a wine glass, and many others.

You can also make drinks using various bartending tools, such as a mixing glass and a cocktail shaker.

Below, weve gathered together 11 outstanding cognac cocktail recipes.

Park Napoleon Borderies Cognac

At a glance

Growth area: Borderies

Awards: SilverIWSC, GoldSan Francisco World Spirits Competition

An excellent example of a Napoleon Cognac, which is an unofficial age statement thats comparable to an XO. It offers a delicate taste experience, is light on the palate, and has the wonderful tones of violets so typical of the Borderies terroir. All of Parks products are created in small batches, meaning the highest of quality each and every time. This is a really easy drinking Cognac, and one that we recommend trying in many different ways to experience the subtle taste alterations this brings, such as neat, over ice, direct from the freezer, and even with a little drop of water.

Learn more about the Park Napoleon Borderies Cognac.

You May Like: Who Sells Uncle Nearest Whiskey

Le Reviseur Vsop Cognac

Le Reviseur VSOP Cognac is an award winning blended Cognac.

This VSOP is aged for at least four years and is famous throughout Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

Le Reviseurs outstanding Cognac is less prevalent in other locations, but that means that it is available at a fraction of the cost of different, more popular Cognacs.

Le Reviseur VSOP is elegant and fruity and has a touch of spice. The palate features woody notes with a touch of leather. This is a full-flavored Cognac with a smooth finish.

How To Store Cognac

Store Cognac in a cool and dry place. The temperature should be constant.

Keep the bottle away from sources of heat. The bottle should not be exposed to direct light, natural or artificial.

Avoid storing Cognac in the fridge or in the freezer. Both are too cold in temperature and risk spoiling it.

After opening it, you can keep a bottle of Cognac for several months.

Also Check: Passion Fruit Mojito Cheesecake Factory

Best For Beginners: Hine Rare Vsop

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Cognac, France | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Almonds, Orange, Chocolate, Dried flowers

A really youthful cognac can often taste hot and alcoholic, says Thorn, so though VS cognac is less expensive, it might turn off beginners. Instead, she suggests spending a bit more money to invest in a cognac with some age on it.

I love the Hine Rare VSOP, she says. Its great for both tall, light cocktails and more spirit-forward drinks. But to get the most out of it, novices should try it on its own. Almond skin, dried petals, and plenty of fruit meet a luscious mouthfeel and round, nutty flavors. Its a lovely sipping spirit with very well-balanced, beautiful characteristics, says Thorn.

Is Cognac A Hard Liquor

Cognac is a kind of brandy, and brandy is a liquor distilled from wine and then aged in wood. Cognacs are the finest of all brandies and are created in a very specific process. All true Cognacs come from specific areas within the Cognac region of France. Many different brands are available in a very wide price range.

Read Also: What Is The Best Whipped Cream Vodka

Chateau Darton Armagnac Fine Blanche

Blanche Armagnac is one brandy that you need to be mixing with. And, Chateau DArton is the O.G. when it comes to this style of Armagnac. Before Blanche Armagnac was allowed in the Armagnac appellation, Chateau DArton created their own, calling it Fine Blanche. This white brandy is made of the same grapes as DArtons matured Armagnac, which are all grown in the mineral-driven soils of the Haut-Armagnac.

Fast-forward to today, this unaged, unmatured Armagnac has shown how it is the ultimate substitute for your usual clear spirits. Mix it with tonic or make it a French Muleyoull love how blissfully this Blanche Armagnac suits any spritz-y drinks.

How To Serve & Present Cognac

Serve Cognac at room temperature. The ideal temperature is about 18°C . Colder temperatures prevent the product from releasing its aroma.

Present Cognac in its bottle. On informal occasions, it is acceptable to present a bottle that has already been opened. On formal occasions, it is best to serve a new bottle and to open it at the table.

Serve Cognac in a tulip or brandy glasses.

Do not chill the glasses in the fridge before presenting them. The condensation risks watering down the Cognac. Similarly, you should not serve Cognac with ice.

You can mix Cognac in cocktails. Never serve shots of Cognac.

Read Also: Where To Buy Sipsmith Gin

The Worlds Best Brandies 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The finalists in the brandy judging from the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

A total of 15 brandies across 11 different categories made the final judging Sweeps round at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition . An additional 20 brandies scored Double Gold medals.

Founded in 2000, the SFWSC is the oldest competition in North America and the largest spirits judging in the world. A total of 70 judges from around the world evaluated approximately 5,000 spirits over two weeks in April 2022.

The competition is organized by the Tasting Alliance, an organization founded by Anthony Dias Blue, and in addition to the SFWSC includes spirit competitions in New York and Singapore and wine competitions in San Francisco and New York.

Brandy refers to any fruit-based distillate. Typically, the fruit is fermented into a wine/cider and the wine is then distilled to obtain the spirit. Most brandies are grape-based, but any fruit can be converted into brandy. Brandies based on fruits other than grapes typically include the name of the fruit in their designation as in apple brandies or plum brandies.

Some brandies like Cognac, Armagnac or Calvados carry the name of the region in which they are produced. Cognac and Armagnac are both grape-based brandies. Cognac is produced in a delimited zone in the Charente region, while Armagnac is produced in a delimited zone in Gascony. Calvados is an apple-based brandy that is produced from a delimited region in Normandy.