Remy Martin: VSOP

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

A very nice cognac from a very famous house. The Remy Martin VSOP is a winner on all fronts, its quality is worth its price, it smells great, and the taste is out of this world. Hard to expect anything different from the maker of Louis XIII, however. Remy Martin’s VSOP has a bit of burn, but a flavor that hints of vanilla and fruit. This is just a good cognac, and can be had for under $40 on the internet if you shop around carefully. (more…)

Pierre Ferrand – Sélection des Anges

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

From one of the great Cognac brands, The Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges is a gorgeously mature cognac exhibiting surprisingly rich flavors of licorice and vanilla, complete with a long finish, smooth delivery, and beautifully dark gold color. I admit to being in love with this cognac, in its class little compares and unlike most Ferrands, the pricing is about right with 750ml bottles available for around $100. Its not easy to find around town, but is readily available on the internet. Ferrand delivers with Selection des Anges, and for its class, it can be considered one of the best. A good link collection of cognac links can be found here (more…)

Martell – Noblige

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

Martell is a cognac brand can usually be counted on to create an excellent cognac, and Noblige is no exception. A blend of a hundred eaux de vie, this is a unique cognac for its price range, if not the best value. It hints at being old, and has great character with vanilla and even a woody note not generally present in cheaper cognac. Its a solid cognac, with its only real drawback being a little on the pricey side for the quality, with bottles being had on the internet for about $50 for a 750ml. (more…)

Hennessy – V.S.

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

Hennessy is an old name in Cognac, and their upper-end products are worthy of the name, but they should probably not be attaching it to this cognac. The Hennessy VS Cognac costs about $30 most places, its a bit too high-priced for mixing and cooking, and there are simply much better products out there for filling a snifter at the same, or lower, price. If playing copycat to the lyrics of a hip-hop song is your thing, then this is your drink. For the serious cognac afficianado on a budget, its just not a good deal. Improvement is needed, Hennessy. (more…)

Hennessy – Privilege

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

We haven’t reviewed Hennessy Privilege Cognac, but the company states:

“Hennessy Privilege is an accomplished blend of around 60 different eaux-de-vie selected from the four best growing areas of the Cognac region.”

Have you tried this cognac? Please submit a review below!

A De Fussigny – Superieur

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

We haven’t reviewed A De Fussigny Superieur Cognac, but the company states:

“Aromas of dried rose flower, hazelnut note. Roundness with a subtle buttery and smoky notes. Texture and elegance on the palate length”

Have you tried this cognac? Please submit a review below!

Hardy – V.S.O.P.

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

Good stuff for the price tag. It’s smooth, with hints of vanilla, caramel and a bit of oak. Hardy knows how to price its products, and at about $35 for 750ml, this Cognac shouldn’t dissappoint. Hardy is one of those companies that just seems to produce a solid, consistent product, and for the price you get an 8 year old cognac aged in oak casks in one of the most attractive and elegant bottles in the price range. You just can’t go wrong with this VSOP.

A.Hardy Company Site

A E Dor – Cognac Selection

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

We haven’t reviewed A E Dor Cognac Selection, but the company states:

“Fresh and fruity. The cognac is partly made from “Fins Bois” which offers the Selection its style and characteristic strength, finesse with a scent of flowers and good maturity and elegance on the palate. ”

Have you tried this cognac? Please submit a review below!

Armagnac de Montal – V.S.

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

One of the least-expensive armagnacs, but don’t let that fool you. This formidable drink will delight anyone searching for an introduction to the cousin of cognac. Easy to drink, not too much burn, and with delightful hints of tobacco and vanilla, Armagnac de Montal VS is the perfect companion to a cigar for those whose budget won’t allow the extravagant prices of other armagnacs. You can get a bottle at around $28 , not that much more than a so-so bottle of cognac. Try it, you’ll like it for the price. (more…)

Korbel Brandy

• Overall Rating
• Nose
• Taste
• Price

Korbel scored with this one. Its just a cheap brandy from California. Its crude, yet pleasurable. You just can’t beat this for mixing, cooking, or even just drinking a snifter after work. At around ten bucks, its as good as most $20 cognacs, and even competes with a few $30 ones. Flavors of sweet caramel dominate, the finish is medium length and not unpleasant. Mix it with cola and ice and you have something that will please almost anyone. I’ll even go so far as to say that Korbel under-prices the stuff, and in its class, it is king.

Korbel Company Site