Cognac

What Is Cognac? The Ultimate Guide to the French Brandy

This comprehensive guide answers the age-old question “What is Cognac?” by teaching you how to pronounce, drink, and serve this French brandy.

By 

Jillian Dara

 |  July 5, 2024

Cognac is an elegant spirit with a rich history. This aged French brandy dates back to the 16th century, when Dutch sailors distilled French wine so it wouldn’t spoil on their return voyages. However, despite its long history, many people today are unfamiliar with the spirit because other types, including luxury gin brands and bourbon, are much more popular today. So, what is Cognac? It is one of the most complex and delicious spirits in the world. Producers craft everything from simple expressions that are great for Cognac cocktails to rare bottlings that contain hundreds of eaux-de-vie, some of which are over a century old. Discover everything you need to know about Cognac here.

The Ultimate Guide to Cognac

What Is Cognac?

Cognac is a region in France, as well as a type of brandy. It’s a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) where the eponymous spirit of Cognac is exclusively produced, just like Scotch, Champagne, and tequila to their respective PDO beverages. The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) is a body of representatives that protects the Cognac appellation in France and abroad. 

Cognac is a type of brandy that can only be produced from six grape varieties: Ugni Blanc, Montils, Sémillon, Folignan, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. Producers must grow these white grapes in one of Cognac’s six approved crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois, and Bois Ordinaires. As a PDO spirit, the exclusive use of these grapes is a part of the regulations for creating a verified Cognac. There are also rules and regulations that govern the production and aging process of Cognac. 

How to Pronounce Cognac

The “g” in Cognac is silent, so you pronounce it phonetically: kōn-yak.

How Is Cognac Made?

Producers can only make Cognac using six approved grapes grown in their six approved Crus in the Cognac region of France. Some use a blend of the six grapes, while some produce single-vineyard Cognac that uses only one variety of grape from a Grand Cru, usually Petite or Grande Champagne. 

All Cognac is distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged for a minimum of two years in French Tronçais or Limousin oak barrels. After two years, producers blend a minimum of two eaux-de-vie to create a Cognac that’s classified as VS, VSOP, XO, or XXO, depending on the minimum aged eaux-de-vie of the blend. Cognac houses typically blend more than two eaux-de-vie together, as this is what results in a layered, ultra-premium Cognac. For example, it’s not unusual for a luxury Cognac house to blend up to 400 eaux-de-vie in a release.

Cognac Classifications

All Cognac undergoes a two-step distillation process called Charentais. After this, the unaged brandy is called eau-de-vie. And it must age for a minimum of two years in French oak casks before producers can blend it. There are four different types of Cognac classifications, which are determined by the age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. Producers usually include many older eaux-de-vie in the blends as well. 

VS or “Very Special

VS or “Very Special” Cognac is considered the entry-level style of Cognac. It means that the youngest eaux-de-vie used in the blend were aged for at least two years in Cognac’s required oak barrels: Tronçais or Limousin. The classification can also be denoted with three stars. VS Cognac is usually amber in color, firey on the nose, and fruity on the palate. 

VSOP or “Very Superior Old Pale”

VSOP or “Very Superior Old Pale” Cognac starts with eaux-de-vie that have aged for at least four years. It may also be called “Very Old,” and some producers leave out the punctuation between VSOP. The additional aging results in a darker and smoother Cognac. It usually offers oak and baking spice notes like clove and cardamom on the nose and palate. 

XO or “Extra Old”

XO or “Extra Old” Cognac depicts a Cognac blend where the youngest eaux-de-vie have been aged for 10 years. Similar to the VS and VSOP classifications, older blends are often used in addition to the baseline of the youngest blend. And in the case of XO Cognac, the average age of the blend is usually between 15 and 20 years old. XO Cognac has a deep mahogany hue with sweeter notes on the nose, like a toffee dessert and dried fruit. And a rich, layered palate of dark chocolate and candied nuts. 

XXO or “Extra Extra Old”

XXO or “Extra Extra Old” Cognac is the most recent addition to Cognac classifications, officially designated as a category in 2018. In addition, XXO describes a Cognac in which the base eaux-de-vie have a minimum age of at least 14 years old. This Cognac is extremely dark, taking on hues of cacao, with warm spice on the nose and a velvety palate of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and some dried herbal qualities on the long finish. 

What Does Cognac Taste Like?

A Cognac’s flavor profile varies not only on its classification, as denoted above, but also from producer to producer. After a Cognac is aged for a minimum of two years, Cognac houses blend at least two different aged eaux-de-vie; it’s these blends that result in a completely unique Cognac as the variously aged eaux-de-vie imbue different flavors and textures. Typically, a VS is clean with fresh fruit, while a VSOP starts to showcase some layers of spice. XO is rich and layered with a bouquet of sweet toffee and a palate of dark chocolate. Finally, XXO is the most complex, with a layered sip that takes the palate through notes of stewed fruit, candied nuts, baking spice, and vegetal herbs. 

How to Drink Cognac

Serving Temperature

Anyone who regularly drinks Cognac knows that its aromas and flavors present themselves best at room temperature, between 68°F and 74°F. Experts do not recommend chilling or heating the Cognac. If it’s too cold, it will naturally warm up from the heat of your hands when you hold the glass. 

Glassware 

A snifter is the most traditional glassware for sipping Cognac. Its bulbous shape permits the hands to warm the liquid naturally when needed. While the narrow opening captures the bouquet of Cognac, ensuring its delicate aromas don’t escape the glass. 

Cognac Cocktails

Most connoisseurs serve Cognac neat in a snifter glass, especially the aged varieties of XO and XXO. However, with the evolution of cocktail culture, mixologists often substitute Cognac in classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned (swap the bourbon), celebrating its role in a Vieux Carre (combined with rye whiskey and sweet vermouth). They also mix VS and VSOP with ginger ale or Coca-Cola; their fruity and slightly spicy palates can complement the sodas.

When to Drink Cognac 

Most people serve Cognac after dinner as a digestif. This tradition is due to the belief that brandy stimulates stomach acid to speed up digestion. It is also why consumers sip it slowly, allowing them a chance to appreciate the nuances of the spirit.

What to Pair With Cognac

Though Cognac is frequently served solo as a digestif, the brandy pairs well with dark chocolate. The chocolate can emphasize the subtler flavors of a Cognac. Creamy cheeses like brie can also complement young Cognacs like VS or VSOP after a meal.

What Are the Best Cognac Brands?

Some of the best Cognac brands on the market are also some of the most historic Cognac houses. They remain relevant today because of their premier collaborations with other ultra-luxury lifestyle brands and experimentation with superlative releases of the oldest and rarest blends.

Rémy Martin

The House of Rémy Martin was founded in 1724. It is celebrated for its age-worthy Cognacs, produced from grapes grown only in the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus. 

Louis XIII

In 1874, Rémy Martin released the first variation of Louis XIII as a category of its own. Louis XIII is created with more than 1,200 eaux-de-vie, including the oldest in the House, over 100 years old. Learn more in our ultimate guide to Louis XIII Cognac.

Hennessy 

Maison Hennessy was established in 1765. It is one of the most popular Cognac houses, celebrated for its variety of Cognac styles, including entry-level VS and VSOP labels, as well as top-tier releases like XO and Hennessy Paradis. 

Martell Cognac 

The Martell Cognac was originally celebrated for its historic first mentions of VSOP and Martell Cordon Bleu XO. But today, it’s made a splash with its Single Cru Collection, which showcases terroir’s effect on Cognac. The house was founded in 1715. 

Hardy Cognac 

Maison Hardy debuted in 1863 and has made a name for itself today as one of the most expensive Cognacs on the market — a collaboration with French luxury glassmaker Lalique. 

Discover the rest of the best Cognac brands in the world here. 

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