Overall Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Nose: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Availability: Common

Martell 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.

Martell company website.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Nose: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Availability: Common

A very nice cognac from a very famous house. The VSOP from Remy Martin 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.

Remy Martin Company Website

Overall: Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Availability: Everywhere

Everyone knows the name Courvoisier. Napeoleon knew it nearly two centuries ago, and we all know it now. Unlike some other famous brands, Courvoisier deserves its name and reputation. Priced extremely reasonably, Courvoisier VS is one of the few VS-level cognacs out there that’s really worth drinking on its own, rather than using it for cooking and mixing. Ranging around $25 for 750ml, its cheap enough for an everyday drink, but has a smoothness and flavor on level with the VSOP’s of a number of other makers. Subtle flavors are subdued, unsurprising for a VS, but the smooth delivery and delightful finish makes this one of the best buys for the price.

Courvoisier Company Site

Overall: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Availability: Hard to Find off the internet

From one of the great Cognac distillers, 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.

Pierre Ferrand Company Site

Overall: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Availability: Fairly common

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

Overall: Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Taste: Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Price: Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Availability: Everywhere
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. Priced 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.
Hennessy Company Site