Cognac
French brandy from the Cognac region — aged in oak, elegant and fruit-forward.
Cognac is a brandy produced in a specific region of western France from ugni blanc grapes, double-distilled in copper pot stills, and aged in Limousin or Tronçais oak. Age designations matter: VS (Very Special) is at least two years old and cocktail-grade; VSOP is at least four; XO is at least ten and should be sipped. Pierre Ferrand 1840, Courvoisier VS, and Hine H are cocktail favorites that deliver the classic Cognac profile — dried fruit, oak, baking spice, a soft vanilla roundness — without the price tag of older expressions.
History
Cognac has been distilled since the 17th century, largely by Dutch and English traders who preferred the concentrated, shippable brandy to bulk wine. The AOC was formalized in 1909.
Common uses
Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, Vieux Carré.
Cocktails that use Cognac
- Sidecar — Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice with a sugared rim — Parisian elegance
- Brandy Alexander — Cognac, crème de cacao, and cream — dessert in a glass
- Vieux Carré — Rye, Cognac, vermouth, Bénédictine, and bitters — New Orleans' most complex stirred drink
Substitutes
- Brandy — Generic brandy works but lacks Cognac's refinement.