Martell (cognac) Puns

Hi all! I’d like to add some cognac to my arsenal. Formerly a bourbon and rye drinker. I’ve seen these two recommended and just need to pick one. What should be my first bottle?

Did anyone try this one? How much is it sold for generally? Hard to find any reviews on it, specifically approximate age and overall tasting info.

Thanks!

These reviews are from a set of blind tasting flights I did (not all in one night!) a while back. I've been taking notes for other brandies I've had since also, and have about twenty unpublished reviews piled up. I've been on the fence about publishing these reviews since, unlike whisky and rum which I've been drinking my whole adult life, I'm very new to brandy outside of VSOP level cocktail stuff and am not sure how useful my tasting notes really are. So there's your caveat: these are reviews told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

 

All nine of these were done blind. I knew what the nine brandies were, but not even which ones were in each flight until after I'd done all three flights (I put the samples in a box and had my girlfriend pour them all blind for us to share). There were three flights of three and they're posted here in order, so the first three reviews are the first flight and so on. I've edited to include the actual names of the brandies in the text here, but not otherwise edited my notes post-reveal. These are mostly all XO-level brandies (except for Montifaud which is a 20-year age statement), seven cognac and two Armagnac

 

#Domaine d'Esperance XO

This is 40.3%, and reviewed from a sample from sydisticpixie. The others are all from finedrams.com.

 

Nose: chocolate, polished wood, caramel, kind of varnishy, a little floral too, some spice like nutmeg that reminds me a bit (actually a lot) of eggnog—it's a little rummy even. After a while some oak and drier fruit

 

Palate: much drier than expected (driest of the three), dry fruit like prune or date, a little leather, bitter cocoa, vanilla...only a trace of that eggnog spice sadly

 

Finish: finishes a little sweeter, berry and chocolate, short

 

Score: 69/100

 

Best of the first three for sure. The most interesting, most character, best balanced (least sweet). The only one that really evolves and sustains interest. A bit thin, expected at 40%, but shows it a lot less than the other two. Could be really good stuff at higher proof. Reminds me of Glendronach (a lot of French brandies do).

 

#Courvoisier XO

Nose: grape, blueberry/blackberry, bit of a fruity cough syrup character (not unappealing though); pinesol, lemon/orange, a lot more fruit and less chocolate/caramel/spice/dessert than [Domaine d'Esperance], maybe marginally less sweet

 

Palate: sweet oran

Let's talk about Cognac, or grape brandy, rather. I've seen several questions lately for recommendations for a good mixing Cognac. Brandy is perhaps my favorite spirit to mix with. Not only is it delicious. It can be very affordable. I also like to keep my mixing spirits under $30, if possible, both at home and the office. I mean, who wants to pay $17+ for a Sidecar, right? Can we actually get a good mixing Cognac for <$30? Yes, we can. Let me suggest that the best mixing brandy, however, isn't a Cognac at all...

Brandy is spirit distilled from a fermented fruit wine or mash. Some may make a distinction between eaux-de-vie and brandy. The former being new distillate. The later aged. Others group them together, simply, as brandy. Brandy can be made anywhere in the world, from practically any fruit. Cognac must be made in the Cognac region of France, under strict processes, from locally grown white grapes. Ugni blanc is the primary varietal used.

Cognac was once a preferred spirit in the States. The European phylloxera blight of the mid-to-late 19th century destroyed 40% of France's vineyards, including most of the Cognac region, essentially ending Americans' love affair. American whiskey (mostly rye at first) did its best to take its place. By the time the Cognac industry truly rebounded, Prohibition had reared its ugly head.

In 1886, Rémy Martin's Cognac vineyards were destroyed by phylloxera. Paul-Emile Rémy Martin II looked elsewhere in France for a supply of grapes to keep his business operating. He landed 120 miles NW of Cognac, in the Loire Valley. By this time, the legal Cognac definition and protection had long been established, forcing Paul-Emile to produce humble brandy. However, this allowed him to source both white and red grapes from France’s finest wine-growing regions, such as Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Beaujolais. Freed of the strict Cognac regulations, St-Rémy distillery was born, focusing on a product, rather than a strict process.

Martine Pain was Cellar Master/Master Blender at St-Rémy for 35 years. She was responsible for the creation of St-Rémy XO, St-Rémy Réserve Privée, and St-Rémy Small Batch Reserve. In 2016, Cécile Roudaut succeeded Martine. Cécile first makes her mark on the brand in 2018, in the form of St-Rémy's Cask Finished Collection, followed by St-Rémy Signature in 2020. St-Rémy XO is typically adjudicated higher than the VSOP Cognacs most commonly found in the

Hello everyone, what cognac is softer, and not so sharp to drink it clean?

They were out of PF 1840. I bought Martell VS and I know next to nothing about cognac. Mainly trying to make cocktails - vieux carre’s and sidecars. Is this an okay pick?

Hey, I am quite new to the world of cognac but tried a few bottles of Calvados in the past.

Now I'm searching for a good bottle to start with. My pick is Remy Martin VSOP.

Costs a little over 30 euros where I live.
Any other suggestions, I want to start with something which isn't sharply alcoholic.

Im into whiskey and decided decided branch out into brandy and cognac specifically. I bought a bottle of Martell VS single distillery. I love it. I've tried Courvoissier VS and Hennessy VS too. I like them but not as much as Martell (Courvoissier being closer in taste than Hennessy). Wondering firstly, what's the difference in taste between it and the regular VS from Martell?

In terms of the standard VS and VSOP range from Martell, Remy Martin, Courvoissier and Hennessy, can anyone give me some flavour indicators? For instance, my own experience makes me feel like Martell VSSD is fruity and mild, Hennessy VS is spicier and more ethanolic and Courvoissier like Martell but with less fruit and slightly more wood or ethanol. (I am not a connoisseur/sommelier of any kind, please please take those notes with a hint of opinion.. I don't "know" what I'm talking about and am only talking from my own experience).

Any help would be appreciated

Hello fellow cognac enthusiasts,

Fairly new to cognac (a year so far) and enjoying my journey immensely. So far I have tried VSOP offerings and a few VS from the major houses, particularly those of Remy and Martell. I would like to branch out into lesser known/smaller producer brands, as I've become aware of the cost-to-quality disparity among the more marketed brands, and am wondering what you would recommend.

As mentioned, my favorite cognacs are of the VSOP age, since I enjoy the fruitier notes. I am looking to branch out into older vintages, but the prices of the Big Four are to me excessive. Price is keeping me from XO and I don't think it should, recommendations and alternatives to the Big Four are much appreciated.

The list of cognacs I've tried so far for reference:
Remy Martin VSOP
Remy Martin 1738
Frapin VSOP
Pere Magloire XO
Ararat 5-year
Martell VSOP red
Pierre Ferrand "ambre"
Courvoisier VS

While rewatching the Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu, I keep seeing this commercial for some cognac booze. I swear the voiceover narrating the commercial is Dimitri. It even has a bit of a twang of the faux accent. Anyone else see/hear what I’m talking about?

As a christmas treat I planned to get my usual xo which is Courvoisier XO. Being the idiot I am, I have kept forgetting to order it. Now the only xo available locally in my budget is Martell xo.

I've never had Martell xo but did enjoy the vsop. Will this alternative do?

Hello all! First post to r/cognac here.

I tend to go through little journeys where I’ll hunt out as much variety and at some times sought after offerings, to try and expand my palate and knowledge enough to speak semi-intelligently about the beverage in question.

I’ve done this with Beer, Wine, Scotch and currently Bourbon.

Cognac is my next frontier and I’m totally clueless about it. I know I love it, but what I’ve had is limited, and I’m interested in finding an example of something that’s high end to know what cognac tastes like at that Level.

Presently, I’ve tried Hennessy, Dusse, And Courvassier. I know these are very mainstream, household brands, so I’d like to try something of a higher caliber to see how it compares to these that I’ve already tried and enjoyed.

I’m looking to spend maybe 100 to 150 or so.

Likewise, I’d also like to try the various types of Brandy in addition to cognac, such as Calvados, Armagnac, etc. etc. any brands that are good exemplifiers and maybe a list of the various styles would be appreciated.

Finally, I’ve heard the whole warming your brandy up to drink it thing. Is this just for show, or worth doing? I typically assess spirits from a Glencairn glass neat / with a few drops of water (if needed), was curious if this was the same for assessing Brandys.

Thanks for any insight anyone can share with a beginner!