# would cognac be a good liquior for someone who likes rum and wants to try somethin different **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626 "2013-08-07T20:23:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/1 "2013-08-07T20:23:52Z")
i usually mix my alcohol but i dont really mind drinking it straight if it doesnt taste like crap straight.i dont really want something super expensive either but some of the Alize’s ive seen seem to have cognac in them and dont seem to cost that much ive had flavored vodka before but i seem to perfer rum over it.i dont know,maybe i like sweeter liquiors better then others ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/2 "2013-08-07T21:07:27Z")
Hmm. I like cognac quite a bit, though I haven’t had it neat in years. Do you like light or dark rum? If light, cognac is going to have quite a bit more flavour than you’re used to. If dark, it’ll be comparable in… I dunno, flavorosity?, but that flavor is going to be quite different. Cognac is aged in oak barrels, so it has that going on, and in general is just… different. It is on the sweeter side of things, though. That said, I’m pretty sure you can get Remy or Hennessy in hip-flask sized bottles… maybe even airline bottles. Get some and try it; if you don’t like it, you won’t be out too much. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/3 "2013-08-07T21:23:42Z")
They make premium rum, made for sipping, not mixing. Try some. ---
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/4 "2013-08-07T21:55:22Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Hmm. I like cognac quite a bit, though I haven’t had it neat in years. Do you like light or dark rum? If light, cognac is going to have quite a bit more flavour than you’re used to. If dark, it’ll be comparable in… I dunno, flavorosity?, but that flavor is going to be quite different. Cognac is aged in oak barrels, so it has that going on, and in general is just… different. It is on the sweeter side of things, though. > > That said, I’m pretty sure you can get Remy or Hennessy in hip-flask sized bottles… maybe even airline bottles. Get some and try it; if you don’t like it, you won’t be out too much. i like light rum but i have tried both light and dark rums before.and in terms of mixing cognac what do you normally mix it with(i think the alize i was lookin at had vodka mixed with it,and cherry,ginger,passion fruit) ---
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/5 "2013-08-07T22:02:28Z")
hmm i cant edit my post anymore but i was gonna say the alize i was looking at was called alize bleu.they also had a alize coco that was pineapple flavored but i dont think it had cognac in it or maybe the alize coco pineapple does,i dont know.it says "french spirits"on the webpage it doesnt specifically say it has cognac in it.cuz that sounded better then the alize bleu if it has cognac in it ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/6 "2013-08-07T22:54:27Z")
In my experience, good bourbon is somewhat sweet. It may be my aging palate, but I find myself adding only the tiniest soupcon of sugar to an Old Fashioned or mint julep these days. Basil Hayden’s is pricey, but is an excellent soft, sweet liquor for sipping, and my new favorite is Eagle Rare. You could also branch out in rum. Kraken spiced rum is yummy. And you could try the more “elite” rums for drinking straight - from what I’ve seen, they all seem to be gold. I don’t know much because I tend to do fine with Bacardi silver in mixed drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/7 "2013-08-07T23:16:12Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#): > > You could also branch out in rum. Kraken spiced rum is yummy. And you could try the more “elite” rums for drinking straight - from what I’ve seen, they all seem to be gold. I don’t know much because I tend to do fine with Bacardi silver in mixed drinks. hmm,what are some of the more "elite"rum brands then.ive had kraken before and i dont know,it was really strong plus it was unflavored and im usually use to drinking like parrot bay and bacardi flavored rums ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/8 "2013-08-07T23:24:14Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#): > > You could also branch out in rum. Kraken spiced rum is yummy. And you could try the more “elite” rums for drinking straight - from what I’ve seen, they all seem to be gold. I don’t know much because I tend to do fine with Bacardi silver in mixed drinks. Spiced rum is for sissies. 😛 Elite rums come in many types. Ten Cane is a good starter for Premium as is Pyrat. Pusser’s British Navy Dark is very dark. Meyers is decent. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is another. Just go to any good liquer store and look at bottles around $30-40. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/9 "2013-08-08T00:02:01Z")
The best rum on the planet is Mount Gay. All else is ordinary at best. If you want to move up in tipple, try premium tequilas. PS. Anybody who mixes cognac with _anything_, or serves it on the rocks must be hunted down and removed from society. Painfully, and at once. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/10 "2013-08-08T00:24:33Z")
Christian Brothers brandy is made with the same grapes as cognac. It’s much cheaper, similar aroma, and I think it tastes better. If you want to sample whiskies or cognacs or rums, go to a bar that serves top shelf alcohol, order a few different shots and water back as a palette cleanser. Tell them it’s a taste testing if they give you any static about ordering too many drinks at one time (some dram shop laws are funny that way). ---
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/11 "2013-08-08T03:58:29Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Spiced rum is for sissies. 😛 > > Elite rums come in many types. Ten Cane is a good starter for Premium as is Pyrat. Pusser’s British Navy Dark is very dark. Meyers is decent. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is another. > > Just go to any good liquer store and look at bottles around $30-40. hmm,so what would be the difference taste wise between an “elite” unflavored rum a regular one.like lets say i bought a bottle of parrot bay pineapple and a bottle of meyers dark rum(although the planters punch blend did sound kinda flavored)would the meyers dark rum still taste better just because its a better brand or whatever i guess if it matters meyers is a jamaican rum and parrot bay is a carribean rum.i dont really wanna buy some really expensive stuff though but some of the webpages ive seen meyers dark rum on it didnt seem to cost that much,i usually mix rum though ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/12 "2013-08-08T04:07:42Z")
The better rums are distilled cleaner and aged longer. Meyers isn’t premium - it’s just a middle shelf dark rum. There are a lot of better rums around. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/13 "2013-08-08T04:57:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The better rums are distilled cleaner and aged longer. Meyers isn’t premium - it’s just a middle shelf dark rum. There are a lot of better rums around. Meyers is the start of Premium, imho. But yes, there are a lot of other, better rums around. Pyrat or Ten Cane is where you start getting into The Good Stuff. Op, go ahead and start with a btl of dark Meyers (not the spiced stuff). Try a sip. Maybe over ice , maybe with a little lime. If it turns out you don’t like rum straight, then Meyers is still great to mix with. Mind you, Meyers tastes like _rum._ Cheaper white rum has very little taste which is why it’s good as a mixer. ---
**Author:** ![Jerry59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jerry59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry59)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/14 "2013-08-08T06:20:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > If it turns out you don’t like rum straight, then Meyers is still great to mix with hmm,i mean i have out of curiousity tried shots of parrot bay and kraken straight.but kraken was a spiced rum and parrot bay i think is a white rum so maybe meyers would taste different 10 cane was actually a rum i was thinkin about gettin once but it wasnt flavored so i bought something else.seems like alot of the dark rums ive looked at arent flavored though but im assuming by your "Cheaper white rum has very little taste"maybe thats why they flavor it or something ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/15 "2013-08-08T08:08:08Z")
This guy drinks flavored rum, flavored vodka and [Alizé](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliz%C3%A9), and you all are suggesting premium spirits? **Jerry59** , you don’t even know if you like rum yet. And shots are not for tasting. If you’re doing shots, stick with something fairly cheap. If you want to taste some good stuff, sip it. Especially when you’re starting off, there’s no shame in trying it with a little water, or even sparkling water, or my preference: a single ice cube. (Go ahead, call me a philistine!) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/16 "2013-08-10T00:54:51Z")
Philistine. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/17 "2013-08-11T00:01:51Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > This guy drinks flavored rum, flavored vodka and [Alizé](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliz%C3%A9), and you all are suggesting premium spirits? My thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/18 "2013-08-11T00:10:28Z")
Life is too short to drink cheap booze, eat crappy food or date ugly women. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/19 "2013-08-11T00:55:48Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Philistine. I should have known I could count on you! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626/20 "2013-08-11T01:23:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The best rum on the planet is Mount Gay. All else is ordinary at best. If you want to move up in tipple, try premium tequilas. > > PS. Anybody who mixes cognac with _anything_, or serves it on the rocks must be hunted down and removed from society. Painfully, and at once. Pooh. Mt. Gay is good, but Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 bends it over and makes Mt. Gay it’s bitch. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-cognac-be-a-good-liquior-for-someone-who-likes-rum-and-wants-to-try-somethin-different/665626.md?page=2)