Are you a cognac drinker?

In My Humble Opinion
1

This thread about Irish whiskey got me to thinking about cognac/brandy. Chiefly because most people treat it as a fine sort of liquor to be savored, rather than just your standard run-of-the-mill get-you-drunk fare. (and it’s expensive, and anything expensive must be good right?)

I tried Courvoisier once (VS I believe, whichever is the cheaper kind) and it was alright, although not particularly my thing. But the other day I served some Remy Martin to a gentleman and its aroma was pretty appetizing to me.

Do you like the 'yac? What’s the appeal for you? What’s your favorite brand?

2

Cognac can be pleasant, but I tend to prefer armagnac

3

Cognacs and armagnacs are very nice drinks, but I’m not wild about the popular brands (of cognacs, that is; there are no popular brands of armagnac). I generally prefer the younger varieties, as the older ones I’ve had tend to taste too strongly of oak for me. If you’re looking for a good cognac, try the Pierre Ferrand Ambre 10 year old. For armagnac, try the Marie Duffau Napoléon Bas Armagnac.

4

I don’t like to drink it, but I sometimes find the aroma enticing enough to carry a spoonful in glass and smell it. I figure that it was it is for.

5

I have tried different cognacs and never enjoyed them.

6

Love 'em. Lots of good stuff is available cheap in Japan. Otard XO was one of the best values.

I like Martell among the major brands. Lots of Borderies cognac in there, which is spicy and aromatic. But Martell XO was disappointing.

7

I don’t even know what cognac is, but I’ll try anything once (well, not suicide). I do know it’s one of those things–in 19th century novels–that the men go to drink in the drawing room after dinner to talk about “politic matters,” while the women go to drink coffee in the parlor to talk about something else.

Ah. Those were the good 'ol days.

8

Cognac is brandy that is made in Cognac. There are also rules as to what grapes must be used, how it is distilled, etc.

I tend to cook with cognac more than drink it. I’ve got some inexpensive brandy for steak au poivre, but it really tastes better if I use cognac.

9

My French girlfriend likes cognac, so I bought some last year and tried it. (I don’t remember the brand but it was relatively cheap, and the bottle was in the shape of a cat or a cougar). She explained how you’re supposed to sip it slowly, but it didn’t strike me as anything special. I showed my ugly American side by asking her if I could cut it with Diet Coke, as I do with my bourbon. (I was mostly kidding).

10

Count me among those whe prefer armagnac. We always have a bottle or two of armagnac or cognac around, mostly for afters, but I really got an appreciation of what can be done with the style when I had the “Flight of Cognac” dessert at Olives (at the Bellagio). 4 different snifters of Remy Martin cognac, the 4th one being their XO, which I later learned retails for $460 a bottle. Remarkable. You could trace the commonalities of house style through all 4 expressions, and each brought its own strengths to the table.

11

I tried Courvoisier once, like all true playas have to do. It wasn’t bad, but I’d rather drink bourbon, beer, or wine any day.

12

I don’t especially enjoy the cheaper cognacs that are designated VS (very special…spirits aged in oak barrels 2-3 years if I recall correctly). VSOP (very special old pale) is slightly smoother and aged approx 4-7 years.

A couple years ago, the college roommates (or house-mates rather) and I bought a fifth (750 mL) of Courvoisier XO (extra old…spirits aged 20-30 years). The additional time to age remarkably improves the taste and I enjoyed it straight and on the rocks. I moved out of that house last year, but the bottle is still there half-full inside a freezer. It likely needs to be consumed soon before too much acetic acid builds up and sours the taste.

I’ve never tasted a brandy that I liked, but the number of tasted specimens is very small.

[Leon Phelps] Yes!..Courvoisier!..That is the drink [/Leon Phelps]

13

Cognac is a type of brandy only made in the region near the city of Cognac, France. From what I gather, the Cognac region is the only place in the world with the combination of proper climate and grapes and maybe other conditions as well. As Johnny said, there are speciall rules and whatnot about types of grapes, proper double distillation in a copper pot still, aging time, type of oak wood for aging barrels, etc.

14

Cognac and armagnac are nice, but if you want to forget your troubles, try amnesiac. :smiley:

15

I’d rather have The Bends thank you very much.

16

i’ve got a bottle of Cerbois armagnac right now. Nothing better on a chilly evening, imo.

17

I enjoy a cognac occasionally. Courvoisier and Hennessy typically. A place near me sells Baron de Cressac, which is lower priced and not at all bad.

When I want plonk for making punches and such, I buy E&J (Gallo’s) California brandy, which is about 1/2 the cost of the premiums. I really enjoy clear brandies like grappa, pastis, Kirschwasser, etc, but man, you can get plowed fast on those.

18

I don’t enjoy it. It’s an acquired taste for most folks, but I’ve tried high-end cognac a number of times, and I don’t get a good vibe. I’ll stick to champagne, which I positively adore.

19

E&J is what we call the perfect “field brandy.” Excellent in coffee, hot chocolate, or sipped by a campfire, and cheap. It’s the default cooking brandy around Casa Silenus.

20

Sure - but not the cheap stuff. I will drink Remy VSOP happily.

As for why, I would say that it is as complex (or more so) and enjoyable as a good whisky, but more subtle. Some of my Scotch drinking friends don’t like it because it tastes (to them) like “Scotch-lite.”
Hmmm… I haven’t had any in a long while. Might have to go to the Packie tonight…