NB!
I am all for wine & drink EDUCATION. I do not in any way encourage underage or irresponsible drinking. By accessing this info you are confirming that you are 18+ of age.
I am a wine & drink writer from Kenya and I am always tasting different brands of wines and spirits. So I got to interact some more with cognac. I am going to give you a crash course on how you can enjoy this fine drink.
Cognac is an expression of French luxury and it a drink made by the ugni blanc grapes under the French Appellation d'origine contrôlée. This simply describes the production and naming method. For the drink to be called cognac, it has to be made under this method. The brandy should be distilled twice in copper pot stills. It also needs to be aged for two years in oak barrels from the French region of Tronçais or Limousin.
There are many competing cognac brands in the world. The most common ones are Martell, Rémy Martin, De Luze, Hennesy and Courvoisier.
You enhance your experience by being willing to learn. A bit of research beforehand would be great. If you have never had any cognac before, take the time to know what the drink is about and you will appreciate it even more. If you find a bottle that you don't like, don't give up there. Explore and try different bottles. Learn what your palate likes. For example, I did this with wine and whisk(e)y. Not every bottle of wine that I have had is great. I have learned to know what I love. In wine, I am more into heavy reds. For whisk(e)y, I am more into smoky and peaty favours. It is always a hit or miss when starting but with time, you get to know more!
You may have seen these words on cognac bottles.
VS is Very Special. It a blend where the youngest brandy is kept in barrels for 2 years.
V.S.O.P. is Very Superior Old Pale. It is a blend where the youngest brandy is kept in a cask for 4 years.
XO is Extra Old. It is blend where the youngest brandy is kept for 6 years in a cask.
The XO is the more rare and expensive version. if someone gifts you an XO, they love you a lot!
Cognac is best served with a balloon glass. There is no need to swirl cognac heavily as you do with wine. First, pour a little bit of cognac into your balloon glass. Next, hold the glass with your hands and warm it with your hands. This will help the drink release all the flavours. Smell it, appreciate and savour it. However, know that every brand has its own specification on how best to enjoy it. It is best to read the bottle or ask your bartender to ensure you are getting the best experience. The bottle down below is the best. It is also called a brandy sifter glass.
I realised that there are many ways to enjoy cognac. You can take it neat. You can add ice cubes or a dash or water and you can make some mean cocktails with it. There is nothing like a cognac Negroni! See the pictures below on how I enjoy it neat and on the rocks.
There is a negative connotation associated with a woman who drinks. Women can enjoy alcoholic drinks just as men can. For example, I love my drinks but I always ensure that I drink responsibly.
If you are drinking it for the sake of getting drunk/ hammered, you are missing the point. You take cognac to enjoy and savour it. Also, adding coke to your cognac is tantamount to sacrilege.
All Images are mine and were taken with a Canon G7X
