Thinking of buying cognac and wandering at the shop: “which cognac should I buy?” This article will help you find the best cognac for yourself. You will learn about the distillation process, the aging classifications, the major brands, and what to look for on the label.
Why am I talking about Cognac shopping?
You have to know that I am not an old cognac specialist, however I spent one year in Cognac and tasted lots of spirits visiting several cognac houses and basements of local producers. Therefore, I would like to share my knowledge and advice you which cognac to buy.
You ask me: is Cognac even a place on the map or you lived one year in a bottle? Indeed, it is a place, where cognac (the spirit) was born. Small medieval town Cognac is on the west of France, in Charente region. This area is famous for growing grapes, which are all around on the soft slopes. The region of grapes is wide, reaching the neighbour city Bordeaux, world-wide known for wine production.
As fan of responsible traveling and sustainability I like to support local producers, bee-keepers and appreciate regional traditions around the world. When traveling I am trying to buy products from local farmers and manufacturers. I love locally crafted beers and wines. Cognac is unique for one particular region of France, which proudly carries tradition of cognac production for centuries.
What is cognac made of? Essentials about cognac production
Cognac is made out of grapes. Just after harvesting, the grapes are pressed and left for a short fermentation. Later, distillation will isolate the aromas with the concentration of its alcohol content.
According to the tradition, cognac distillation takes place in two separate stages using copper still. The result of the first heating with 35% alc. vol. is called de brouillis. The second stage la bonne chauffe, where a clear spirit comes out with an average alcohol content of 70%. At this stage it is not cognac yet, but eau de vie – water of life.
Why cognac has its color from?
This spirit is hold in new oak barrels in which it will start slow ageing process. Thanks to the wood porosity the spirit in contact with air from outside will absorb the wood substances. The wood and the aging process are the ways cognac achieve its specific color and bouquet.
After few months spirit goes to older casks with fewer tannins to continue very slow maturation. Each year around 3% of eau de vie evaporates with the oxidation of the tannins. This process is poetically called the angel’s share. Moreover cognac making process creates typical black fungus called Tortula Compniacensis. If you come to this region, you will see it on local walls or roofs.
To create cognac the Cellar Master blends the spirit from different areas and vintages. The blending process starts in huge aluminum tanks. Alcohol content is reduced to 40% with distilled water.
Lastly, the spirit is frozen to -5 degree C to allow possible crystallization of particles, so there is no sedimentations coming up. After cognac is filtered and stored for few months before bottling. In the bottles, cognac does not mature anymore.
Which cognac should I buy?
Cognac is the world’s most complex sprit. Why? Specialists can find several hundreds of various aromas in this brandy. There are numerous cognac houses in Charente region. Some of them keep the tradition since centuries, where others are fairly new in business. But can I really answer the question, which cognac brand is the best?
Unfortunately, there are some major brands which took over the cognac market around the world. These are Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin, Curvoisier and Camus. Therefore, you are not able to try smaller, but also good brands making this spirit, unless you go to France. Which cognac is the best for the money? – you ask. Surely, the one you will find in Cognac. The quality, the price are the best straight from the producer.
Guide in cognac kinds
Cognac, like wine, the older the better. Young cognac has very strong taste of spirit, therefore it’s a better fit for cocktails. However, if you want to drink pure cognac in a tulip shaped glass, you have to pay much more money.
I will explain cognac classification, which will allow you to understand how old is particular cognac. These names you will find on each cognac bottle, just under the name of a brand. Please don’t pay much attention for the prices, because they vary a lot from country to another. Of course, the cheapest deals you will get in Cognac, France.
VS – Very Special – the youngest Cognac and the cheapest. Minimum aging is 2 years but it can have 4 or 5 years. It’s hard to enjoy it pure, better to mix with cocktails.
VSOP – Very Special Old Pale – minimum aging is 4 but it can have 10 years
XO – Extra Old – minimum is 10 years but it can have 20. The most popular kind, because of it’s great taste, good to drink pure and in my opinion the best cognac for the money. It has around 20 years and costs from 30 € up.
Beyond the primary types of Cognac here come other names which you can find on the bottles: Premium (VS), Extra (essentially VSOP– with at least six years aging), Napoleon (between VSOP and XO), Vintage, Réserve Familiale (Family Reserve), Très Vieille Réserve (Very Old Reserve), Extra (which can be over 30 years old), Hors d’Âge (this expression literally means that cognac is so so old, and nobody even knows how old), and Heritage (which can have 40, 50, 60 or more years of aging!).
Which cognac not to buy?
Be aware of other names like “black”, “double oaked” or “very fine Cognac” which brands may use for marketing. This can be even a recipe for cognac which include the addition of caramel color or sugar!). Therefore, it’s much safer to stick to the official classifications. Not to mention brandies which use the name cognac but they are far from the original French recipe, for instance cognac from Ukraine.
Check on the label if cognac was produced in France. Remember that cognac is a regional product and only this particular place has a right to name it cognac, with one exception. French specialists of this brandy allowed one place in Georgia (country) to produce cognac as they found the microclimate similar to French and the quality as good as the original. Sarajishvili in Georgia produces spirits since centuries and it’s surely worth trying while in Georgia.
I have to admit that cognac is a kind of brandy, which basically depicts destiled wines. Brandies are common in many countries: Italy, UK, Ireland, Poland and there are plenty of recipes and variations depending of the fruits destiled. Even in France, the region not far from the congac origin produces another brandy, called armagnac. They cannot call it congac as the microclimate is considered different and has influence on the flavor of the spirit.
Ready for cognac shopping?
Cognac is well known French icon with over 97% of its production exported to Asia, Europe and America. Number 1 in cognac consumption are United States, closely followed by China. There are several cognac houses, all different, all carrying tradition for generations. Distillation process slightly varies from the house to another. It is worth to visit any of them to learn about the process of brewing from the beginning to the end.
PL Pszczoła kocha przyrodę, kwiaty oraz herbatę. Najbardziej sprawia jej przyjemność życie i podróże w rytmie slow, bez pośpiechu. Stara się podróżować bardziej ekologicznie i inspirować do tego innych. Lubi poznawać inne kultury, tradycje, spędzać czas z lokalnymi i kosztować ich przysmaków. Jej ulubione miejsca w każdej podróży to uliczne bazary.
ENG The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
I’ve surprisingly never had cognac before! I am a big wine lover though so I’m sure I’d be a fan!
How fascinating! I am a big red wine drinker and have always been interested n the process and how every single bottle is different. I guess to some degree cognac is the same and its the distillery process that makes all the difference. Didn’t realise that they may put more sugar or caramel in the cognac to make it more marketable. I’m not a big spirit drinker but the older Asian generation love it so it would make for the best gifts!
It’s a nice gift, for those who love strong spirits, for me I see lots of people getting it for Christmas
Świetny artykuł. Jestem zwolenniczką mocniejszych trunków i ta wiedza z artykułu bardzo przydatna.
Bardzo mi miło, dzięki! Rok w Koniaku nie poszedł na marne 😉
This was such an informative article ! I had no idea cognac was so nuanced! Will definitely look into this on my next trip to France
Nice to know so much about Cognac, a drink I didn’t even hear about before i started reading. That’s not as surprising as it sounds because I rarely ever drink (alcohol). Good to know that Cognac like wine is better with age. Will definitely try this french icon on my next trip to France.
You definitely should, it’s so popular
I don’t drink but it was interesting to learn about how cognac is made. There’s even one recipe which has caramel color or sugar! Wow.
Yeah that’s the fake one
After spending one year in Cognac and tasting so many spirits, I think you became a specialist.You seem to have a lot of knowledge about it, at any rate. I am not a cognac drinker, but I tried some very good ones over the years. To me this spirit is good by itself, not mixed with other drinks. I had no idea they make cocktails with it.
Oh you would be surprised how the shop in Cognac looks, with the spirits made out of cognac in many different colors, with juices, various flavours, I even saw a blue one 😛 they make so many things out of cognac, even marmolade 😉
Wiecie moze czy anglicy maja swoj koniak ? Bo slyszalem ze tak tylko nigdzie nie moge znaleźć
Sprawa wygląda tak, że koniak to rodzaj brandy. Brandy jest popularna w Anglii, jednak nazwa koniak jest zarezerwowana tylko dla koniaku z jednego regionu we Francji. Mimo, że wiele krajów może robić trunki o podobnej recepturze, to Francuzi mają licencję na koniak. Jako ciekawostkę dodam, że Francuzi dali pozwolenie na używanie nazwy koniak tylko produkcji Gruzińskiej, bowiem twierdzą, że mikroklimat jest tak podobny i świetny do produkcji tego trunku.
Great post. I’ve was never a cognac fan until a friend of mine from Francs suggested a drink some after dinner when I wasn’t feeling well. Worked like a charm and I loved the taste. Now I keep some in my house! Thanks for the education on its origins.
Cognac is a medicine for everything? 😛
Podobał mi się ten artykuł. Nie wiedziałem nic o koniaku. Tylko whiski i whisky. Muszę kupić ten 30 letni. Pozdrawiam
bodziec
Cieszę się, że się przydało 🙂 Pozdrawiam
Thanks for letting us know that some cognac contains sugar or caramel coloring (I am severely allergic to artificial colors). I will be more discerning and read the labels more carefully the next time I shop for cognac.
No, cognac does not contain sugar and carmel. You skam the text too quickly. 😉
I have a very special connection with cognac. It’s the first spirit I’ve ever gotten drunk on and it was the cheapest one you can get at the time (20 years ago) Now I have to be very careful in selecting the type of cognac I drink otherwise my body will bring about terrible memories from my past haha so thanks for the article, really helps to ensure I choose the right one and enjoy it.
haha funny story, imagine writing complains to the company 😛
I’ve never tasted cognac before. Actually, I am not a big fan of the wine itself. But I liked your post. It’s very interesting!
Cognac is what made me completely wasted for the first time (I was 15). I have developed an aversion towards it ever since but it was really interesting to read this comprehensive cognac guide.
I don’t think I’ve had Cognac before but this is an awesome guide! If ever we get to visit this part of France, we will include this to our itinerary. I would love to try the XO! This would make a great souvenir to bring home too. 🙂
Indeed, cognac is an icon of France, that would be a great souvenir.
A very interesting and informative post on the finer details of Cognac and all about it. I have visited one of the distilleries in Cognac and must say it’s a great experience to see the whole process. I do enjoy a Remi Martin occasionally specially in the winter. The casks play such an important part of the whole process.
I am glad you have been there too! Indeed, being in congac house and seeing the process of production is the best advice I can give cognac lovers
Whether it’s dutyfree or a regular alcohol shop in the city, I have picked up many cogancs over the years. I remember picking one up from the French section in the dutyfree of Keflavik and it might sound funny, I didn’t know that it comes from a region with the same name. I just found that out from your blog post.
I hope after this post your knowledge baout cognac is enough to choose the right one for yourself 😉
What an interesting post! I love touring breweries and wineries, and it would be fascinating to see this distilling process. I’ll have to add Cognac in France to my bucket list!
Honestly, This is my first time hearing about a cognac and i guess that’s because i don’t drink .It was really good to know so many things about cognac like it gets better with age and now this is something i will definitely recommend to my friends who are visiting France next year.
Wow I learned so much in this post. As a traveller, I also love to try wine and other spirit and try to learn about them for additional knowledge. I learn that when you know your wine and spirit, then you can be good in business.
Thanks for the info, really! I’m looking for something to buy in this holiday period, and your post really help
Happy I could help :*
i dont know much about cognac, but i want to try it once.
you should taste it, it’s strong but very original
Now this is what I’m talking about! The best article I’ve read in a while. I love aged spirits, that taste…splendid!
Świetny artykuł, dzięki któremu nie dam się nabić w butelkę wybierając koniak na ważny prezent. Dziękuję autorce, że zechciała podzielić się swoją wiedzą w tak uroczy i przystępny sposób.
Uprzejmie proszę 🙂 bardzo się cieszę, że się przyda
Ciekawe informacje na temat koniaku i podane w sposób przystępny i zwięzły. Piłem koniak w Anglii, ale nie znam jego pochodzenia (to na pewno nie było angielskie brandy), a nazwy i pochodzenia z etykiety nie zapisałem, ponieważ nawet nie miałem okazji przeczytać. Był to trunek, którego smaku nigdy nie zapomnę, a jego cudowny bukiet nie pozwalał na zbyt szybkie picie, bo szkoda było ten bukiet za szybko przenieść w miejsce, gdzie już nie czuje się go, czyli poniżej gardła, chociaż i tam, czyli w żołądku, czuło się błogie ciepełko, które wypełniało potem całe ciało do koniuszków palców wszystkich kończyn włącznie. Sączenie tego trunku przeniosło mnie do sfery marzeń, czyli do świata gdzie degustuje się takie cudowne trunki, do Francji, do regionu Francji, skąd się wywodzi. Może wybiorę się kiedyś tam. Pozdrawiam Autorkę powyższego tekstu :):):)
Dzięki! Bardzo mnie zaciekawiłeś tym niebiańskim trunkiem, daj znać co to jest jak kiedyś spróbujesz go ponownie. A Koniak we Francji jest uroczym miasteczkiem i jeśli kiedyś tam będziesz to pomiń ogromne korporacje i udaj się do małych producentów na wioski. 🙂 Pozdrawiam serdecznie
Something is wrong with VS and VSOP. In VSOP the “O” stands for “Old” for a reason.
Czy aby napewno gruzińskie brandy koniakiem? Chodzi raczej o ormianski Ararat. To on zdobył Grand Prix w Paryżu w 1901.
Z moich informacji wynika, że Gruzińskie Sarajishvili zostało uznane za koniak, co do Araratu to muszę to sprawdzić. Wielkie dzięki za komentarz!
A very interesting and informative post on the finer details of Cognac and all about it.This is the first time I’ve heard that there is even one recipe that has caramel color or sugar! Wow. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it! THank you for your feedback
Dziękuję za te wspaniałe informacje były one niezwykle przydatne.
Bardzo się cieszę, że się przydały 🙂