Cognac Legends: Best Bottles to Experience
Updated: Oct 29, 2024
Cognac is one of the oldest and most popular liquors in the world. Enjoyed by countless people for a few centuries now, it is one drink you need to try, and possibly fall in love with. Here are a few of the best bottles you have to taste.
Cognac Park Borderies Single Vineyard
Looking through the Liquorland cognac section, you will see several incredible cognacs, but one to look out for is the Park Borderies Single Vineyard cognac. With a rich and complex flavor palette, you will discover something new about this remarkable cognac with every sip you take.
You will find notes of cinnamon, cloves, figs, hazelnuts, and even honeysuckle. It is full-bodied, and it is best drunk on its own, with or without ice.
Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges
Aged for 30 years, this cognac is the perfect blend of light and rich flavors. The first thing you notice are a few floral notes, followed by dark chocolate, caramelized nuts, and spices. Plus, to top it all off, the bottle is striking, to say the least.
Hennessy VS Cognac
Hennessy VS has been a staple in the cognac game for a long time, and for good reason. Made with high-quality ingredients, with a complex flavor profile, and all packaged at a very reasonable price, it is one of the best cognacs out there.
It is ideal for mixing into drinks, and drinking straight, and is great for both cognac beginners and seasoned experts; it has everything you may want out of mid-range cognac.
Marancheville Tres Rare Lot No.14
This outstanding and rare blend is easily one of the best cognacs you can buy. The distinct aroma is a unique blend of precious wood, wax, and dried flower petals. The flavor palette is almost indescribable, being wholly unique to the blend.
While you will have to pay a pretty penny for a bottle, with most going for between $600 and $700, this is one cognac you should enjoy slowly, and appreciate each and every sip.
Prunier Cognac XO
This carefully curated cognac is not only one of the best out there, but also one of the best value-for-moeny cognacs you can buy. It can be enjoyed on its own or mixed, and 15 years of aging creates a rich flavor with a wide variety of notes including apricot, chocolate, leather, cocoa, and a buttery creaminess.
How to Choose a Cognac
When choosing a cognac, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure you have the best possible tasting experience, and to possibly find your new favorite cognac.
Age
The first thing you need to understand is the age of the cognac, and the terms used to describe the different ages of each different type.
VS
On the lower end of the spectrum are VS cognacs, which are typically aged for around 2 years. VS cognacs will have lighter, fruitier notes, and are brilliant for cocktails, mixed drinks, or those just getting into cognacs.
VSOP
A VSOP cognac is aged for at least four years, and is one of the more versatile types of cognac. A VSOP can be enjoyed neat over ice, but it is also a favorite amongst mixologists as it can add a strong punch to different types of cocktails.
XO
XO cognac is aged for a minimum of ten years, and is the entry point for more expensive cognacs and ones that have a deeper and richer flavor. Many distilleries are judged on the quality of their XOs, meaning if a label has a world-class XO, the rest of the range will almost always be amazing.
XXO
XXO cognacs are aged for at least 14 years, and are best enjoyed neat or over ice. XXO is also the oldest official rating for cognac, and even though there are terms for older bottles, they are not officially recognized terms.
Napoleon
Napoleon cognac is one that is aged for a minimum of 6 years, and while this means it falls into the VSOP category, it is a term that aims to be more specific about the age of the cognac.
Reserve
Reserve cognac is most certainly a more expensive and upmarket choice, as it is aged for a minimum of 25 years. The flavors are incredibly rich and complex, and there are typically a limited number of bottles available, making Reserve Cognac far more expensive than other ages.
Hors d’Age
At the top of the mountain, you will find Hors d’Age cognac. Aged for anywhere between 30 and 100 years, it is the most expensive type of cognac, and the one that embodies the flavors, mouth-feel, and overall experience of drinking cognac.
Region
Much like wine, the region the cognac was produced in will change its flavor. What’s best for you will depend on your taste, but it is best to try as many as possible to find which region best suits your cognac needs.
Barrel
The barrels used in the process will also change the flavor. Some will add vanilla notes, while others will add a smokey flavor. Once again, to find out what is best for you, try as many different types as you can.