The Auswine Forum

Hello all, I'm looking to buy a bottle of nice cognac/brandy, probably around the $100-150 mark. No preference between either, as long as the quality is up there.

I haven't tried many cognacs - and the ones I have tried have basically just been cheaper and were basically just fire water. Too much alcohol heat is a major turn off for me in spirits (same goes for whiskeys, rums etc) so I'm looking for something a bit smoother. Any suggestions/recommendations?

Easy to find or a more obscure one?

At $100-$150 you are into XO territory although some of the VSOP are very good and quite cheaper.

You can usually get the likes of Courvoisier XO for around $100 which would be a good start. Martell VSOP is a nice drop also for about $60. Then you go up to the Remy Martin XO or Hennessey XO (more chocolate end of the spectrum).

Also look at Armagnacs which are only single distilled as opposed to double for Cognac you may find you prefer their flavours/aromatics.

And don't stick your head in the glass when nosing!! hover about 5cm above the glass.

Looking for something nice, it can be from a big producer or someone smaller - I don't mind.

Main goal is for it to not burn on the way down.

If you don't like the burn, go for a Venezuelan Rum (Molasses based one).

Diplomatico Rum can be had for about $100 and would be exactly what you want.
http://www.rondiplomatico.com/rumreservaexclusiva

XOs are of course older and smoother but the QPR sweet spot is the VSOP. All the main brands are good but Martell appeals to me most. I'm not sure what you mean by "burn" but if by that you mean roughness then go for the XO but if you literally mean alcoholic burn then forget about cognac, armagnacs, and scotch - drink wine.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:XOs are of course older and smoother but the QPR sweet spot is the VSOP. All the main brands are good but Martell appeals to me most. I'm not sure what you mean by "burn" but if by that you mean roughness then go for the XO but if you literally mean alcoholic burn then forget about cognac, armagnacs, and scotch - drink wine.

I'm talking about unbalanced alcohol - something wine is not exempt from!

I've had plenty of whiskeys, rums, vodkas etc where they get the balance right, just never in cognac. Although I think I'll have to shell out for the nicer stuff instead of the ordinary stuff I've tried in the past (fortunately never paid for them, though).

With that price range in mind I would be plumping for Delamain Pale & Dry XO Cognac. Still family owned to boot.

I would also compare to St Agnes XO Very Old Brandy at the other end of your price range. Old World v New; elegant and dry (although younger) v. robust and fruity (and older)

cheers

Carl

griff wrote:With that price range in mind I would be plumping for Delamain Pale & Dry XO Cognac. Still family owned to boot.

I would also compare to St Agnes XO Very Old Brandy at the other end of your price range. Old World v New; elegant and dry (although younger) v. robust and fruity (and older)

cheers

Carl

Great description love the st Agnes brandy - angoves have done an awesome job of preserving this. Even the 4 star is great value.

The St Agnes XO is excellent. Personally, I think your money goes a little further with Armagnacs, but I'm hardly an expert.
Some years back friend brought back a bottle of Otard Cognac (XO I think) for me as a gift and that was the best cognac that I've had. I have no idea how you get hold of bottles in Australia and no idea what it costs if you could get it.

chillwrx wrote:

griff wrote:With that price range in mind I would be plumping for Delamain Pale & Dry XO Cognac. Still family owned to boot.

I would also compare to St Agnes XO Very Old Brandy at the other end of your price range. Old World v New; elegant and dry (although younger) v. robust and fruity (and older)

cheers

Carl

Great description love the st Agnes brandy - angoves have done an awesome job of preserving this. Even the 4 star is great value.

I got hold of an older bottling of the 7 star XO last year, thought it was superb and thoroughly recommend it:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14641&p=125437#p125437

I have to admit I have not tried the newer XO bottlings in the flash decanter, I would assume the quality must be at least on par. Hardys did an XO which was superb, but that was a lot more expensive - as a part of Accolade wines (boo, hiss) I am not even sure it's made anymore?

catchnrelease wrote:I haven't tried many cognacs - and the ones I have tried have basically just been cheaper and were basically just fire water. Too much alcohol heat is a major turn off for me in spirits (same goes for whiskeys, rums etc) so I'm looking for something a bit smoother. Any suggestions/recommendations?

If you have this problem with Cognac I would suggest you probably avoid Armagnac - my limited experience with those has been scorching alcohol heat and bonus heartburn. Yuck.

Cheers,
Ian

Have been drinking this stuff for many decades and Reckon the Hennessey VSOP is the best value. There's always a bottle at hand. XOs are a little bit better but not as good value. I find the VS style to be a real step below VSOP.

paulf wrote:The St Agnes XO is excellent. Personally, I think your money goes a little further with Armagnacs, but I'm hardly an expert.
Some years back friend brought back a bottle of Otard Cognac (XO I think) for me as a gift and that was the best cognac that I've had. I have no idea how you get hold of bottles in Australia and no idea what it costs if you could get it.

++1
That and the XO Imperial run rings around a lot of the equivalent (and up to double) the price Cognacs.
Personally I much prefer the single vintage Armangacs - which you simply cannot get from Cognac. A bit more variety and a lot better value (imho).