There's nothing like a good cognac: it tastes alternately rich and smooth, dry and fruity with hints of fresh herbs, caramelized nuts, toffee & vivid citrus, color variations from golden to amber and a profound nose named “bouquet”. Cognac is a brandy sourced specifically from the town of Cognac, France. Its production process has remained unchanged for centuries, owing to the strict laws regarding the use of Cognac's name.
Cognacs are graded on factors surrounding the aging process. As with wine, the best cognacs are those with a little history. VS, or “Very Special,” cognacs are basic-level: they've been aged for at least two years in a wooden cask of no particular quality. Cognacs that are VSOP (“Very Special Old Pale”) have the same aging time but are stored in casks made of older French oak.
Much fuss is made over long-aged cognacs: the aging process brings out hidden complexities in a cognac's flavor. Some of the best cognacs have been aged for twenty-plus years!
There are several ways to grade long-aged cognacs.
- XO cognacs are “Extra Old,” aged for at least six years.
- “Napoleon” cognacs are also long-aged, but the length of time is not necessarily as governed.
These cognacs typically straddle the line between VSOP and XO. (“Vieux” is another grade that totters in this balance.) “Extra” cognacs are also graded through a six-year minimum aging process—though they're often aged for much longer.
Two grades in particular signify a long aging process: “Vielle Réserve” and “Hors d'age.” Cognacs graded with the latter are recognized as being of particularly high quality. “Hors d'age” is translated from French to mean “beyond age.”
To find the best cognac, take note of its grade. Be aware that long-aged cognacs can have Extra-high price tags. Buy a cognac VSOP to start, or plunge into a cognac XO or a cognac Hors d'age for initial complexity. Read cognac reviews like or specialized websites like Decanter.com or Winemag.com to see what cognac brands people or expert recommend. Check award won at International Wine and spirits (ISWC: iwsc.net) competition in London, at New York International Spirits Awards (NYSA: www.nyspiritsawards.com) or San Francisco World Spirits Competition (http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/2010_results.html), or Drinkhacker.com You might even find cognac hotels that will help you out on your first steps into the world of cognacs. And don't forget: after purchasing your bottle, learn how to drink cognac properly. This will ensure that you get a full sense of the cognac's flavor.