Cognac
Also known as: grape brandy
In short
Cognac is the most famous brandy in the world: twice distilled in copper stills, aged in French oak, strictly protected by its origin. We explain the crus, the age categories from VS to XO and the classic sidecar.
In depth
What is cognac?
Cognac is brandy from the region of the same name in southwest France, and only from there may it come. The base is the ugni blanc grape, distilled twice in copper pot stills, aged in oak casks. Only then does the spirit get called cognac.
The region and the crus
The region is divided into crus, first of all Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. The chalky soil of the Grande Champagne is considered the best in the area, which is why its distillates are known for aging particularly well.
The age categories
- VS: aged at least two years
- VSOP: aged at least four years
- Napoleon: the step between VSOP and XO
- XO: aged at least ten years
Classics with cognac
The sidecar is the classic: cognac, orange liqueur and lemon, often with a half sugar rim. Neat, cognac is the digestif, happily in a tumbler after a meal. The matching line: "Brandy is the family, cognac is the crown."
At our lounge
Neat or in a sidecar: ask our team about our selection, the crown deserves the attention.