Cognac

From young VS for a Sidecar to XO and single-estate bottles, our cognac covers every age grade, with plenty from smaller houses like Philbert and Tiffon.

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Cognac questions

Is cognac a brandy or a whiskey?

Cognac is a brandy. It's distilled from white wine, made mostly from ugni blanc grapes grown in the Cognac region of southwest France, then distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged in French oak. Whiskey is distilled from a fermented grain mash instead of wine. Both age in wood, which is why they share notes like vanilla and spice.

What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?

They're age categories based on the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. VS (Very Special) is aged at least 2 years and works well in cocktails. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is at least 4 years and is rounder. XO (Extra Old) is at least 10 years and is meant for sipping. Many houses use much older brandies than the minimum.

Why is cognac expensive?

Several things add up. It takes about nine liters of wine to make one liter of cognac, every batch is double distilled in small copper stills, and the spirit then ages for years in oak barrels. During that time a few percent evaporates every year, known as the angels' share. Older blends and those from the best growing areas cost more.

What are Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne?

They're the two most prized growing areas, or crus, inside the Cognac region. The word champagne here comes from an old French term for chalky open land and has nothing to do with sparkling wine. Their chalk soils produce long-lived, elegant brandies. Fine Champagne on a label means a blend of the two with at least half from Grande Champagne.

How do you drink cognac?

Sip VSOP and XO neat from a small tulip glass at room temperature, letting the aroma open for a minute. A drop of water can help. VS is best in cocktails like the Sidecar or French 75, or simply with ginger ale. An opened bottle keeps well for a year or more if you store it upright and tightly closed.