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Talk to me about... cognac
Feral
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So in all the years I've been expanding my alcoholic horizons, one liquor that I've never actually touched has been cognac.
I understand that it's an aged brandy, and I hear it's well-liked by gentlemen of the gangsta rapper persuasion, but other than Humpty drinking up all the Hennessey I got on my shelf, I don't know much else.
About my tastes... I don't like to drink cheap liquor, but I don't see the point in wasting money on top-shelf (unless it's a scotch or something of that nature). $30-40 for a fifth is reasonable to me. My vodka is Grey Goose, my gin is Bombay Sapphire, my tequila is Patron Silver.
So... suggest brands, vintages, drinks, whatever. Edumacate me!
I understand that it's an aged brandy, and I hear it's well-liked by gentlemen of the gangsta rapper persuasion, but other than Humpty drinking up all the Hennessey I got on my shelf, I don't know much else.
About my tastes... I don't like to drink cheap liquor, but I don't see the point in wasting money on top-shelf (unless it's a scotch or something of that nature). $30-40 for a fifth is reasonable to me. My vodka is Grey Goose, my gin is Bombay Sapphire, my tequila is Patron Silver.
So... suggest brands, vintages, drinks, whatever. Edumacate me!
every person who doesn't like an acquired taste always seems to think everyone who likes it is faking it. it should be an official fallacy.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
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VSOP stands for Very Special Old Pale
served in a snifter. nice to drink when it's cold outside, very warming.
I like Remy Martin VSOP. Oak-y.
I'd never have drank the stuff, except D&B happy hour. wanted to drink the expensive stuff
It's very tasty to make pan-sauces with.
If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
This is very true and I consider myself something of alcohol expert. I share your tastes on Gin, Vodka, and Tequila so hopefully you will share mine and an_alts on cognac. Also because you asked for information on it here is what is in my bartenders guide.
"Cognac is named after the region it is produced in and covers two departments in western France. Inland Charente and coastal Charente maritime. Cognac is a small town close to the border between the two. First among cognac's entrepreneurs was Jean Martell, a jersey born opportunist who in 1715 turned away from a life of crime (smuggling) in order to found the house that still bears his name. Other leading brands are Hennessy, Courvoisier, Hine, Otard, and Remy Martin. The relative quality of cognacs depend on the length of time they have been aged. No appellation controlee cognac (one that is made in France) may be blended from spirits less than two years old. (also the minimum age of real bourbon) At the bottom rung of the classification is VS (designated by 3 stars on the label) which may contain brandies as young as three years old. The next stage up is VSOP or very special old pale. Which comes from the 19th century British term. This is five star cognac because the youngest spirit has spent at least 5 years in a barrel. Those congacs blended from minimum six-year old spirits may be entitled XO. or given one of the producers own designations Reserve, extra, cordon bleu, paradis or classically Napoleon, SO named because the bottles once contained brandies aged since Bonaparte's day. The oldest cognacs generally come in something that looks like a giant perfume bottle fashioned in cut crystal and presented in a silk lined box."
That should help with the history or just go to wikipedia.
As for cognac itself once you get it.
Fine cognac should be drunk just as it comes without mixers and or ice. It is traditionally served in balloon glasses that allow room for swirling. The aromas are better appreciated in something resembling a large liqueur glass. which mutes the prickle of the spirit. The bouquet is also encouraged by a gentle warming of the glass in the hand.
For me personally just like scotch you dont need the best of the best to get something really great. VSOP is just fine. Unless you have been drinking brandy for years you will most likely not notice the difference between Courvoisier VSOP or XO except the 70$ price difference.
Like was said earlier it has a great warming affect to it like drinking whiskey neat. So in the evening before bed or in winter its great. Cognac unlike other strong spirits has an amazing smell. You can almost drink it through your nose in a balloon glass.
Most liquor stores will sell smaller bottles of the major brands VS variety. (the boot kicker size) I recommend you buy 2 or 3 and find which you like most and then get that labels VSOP. you will notice a slight difference like that between say the 12 and 18 year Glenlevit scotch. Its not that the VS is bad the VSOP is just better.
hope that helps
Sidecar
The Original from Harry's Bar - Paris
1 1/2 oz. Brandy
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1/2 oz. Lemon or Lime Juice
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
It tastes great and is a good summer drink. Although I do not recommend using VSOP cognac in this as it is better left neat.
And lastly as this is sort of a pet peeve of mine if you do buy a nice bottle of any distilled spirit know that it does not age in that bottle. Anything that is distilled does its aging in a barrel not a bottle. It trades alcohol and volume for flavor from the wood. Its called the angels share in Scotch and has many other names. Don't let someone fool you with the bottle of scotch they got at graduation 10 years ago. its not 24 years old now. It is stale 14 year old scotch.
Thanks for the recommendations, guys.
One last thing. Courvoisier VSOP is not rated on BevMo, but Remy Martin VSOP has a rating of 90. Anybody drink Remy Martin?
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Hell my man, just go ta the store and start trying stuff. I'm going to buy one of those $100+ bottles one day just to see what it's like.
I think the top 3 brands are Remy Martin, Martell and Hennessey so those would be the ones to check out to see what Cognac is all about. I feel the same about Cognac as I do about Scotch. The liquors certainly have complex and exotic flavors, but they aren't necessarily flavors I want to drink often.
The Bentley of cognac. I have had but one, and only one, taste. I was quite impressed, and I fucking hate cognac. I'm not expecting you to rush out and get some, but if for whatever reason you can, I strongly suggest you at least try it.
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