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10 best cognacs

Published: August 14, 2023 at 10:05 AM

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Complex and nuanced, this world-famous French grape brandy is well worth exploring. Our drinks expert shares her picks of the best cognac to buy

Check out our pick of the best cognacs, then explore our favourite premium rums, rye whiskies and our introduction to bourbon for more expert taste-tested drinks recommendations.

What is cognac?

Cognac is a fruit brandy distilled from white grapes. It can only be made using specific grape varieties. Ugni Blanc is by far the most commonly used, grown in 98% of Cognac vineyards. Other varieties permitted in cognac production include Folle Blanche, Colombard, Folignan, Montils and Sémillon. The grapes are used to make a wine that is then distilled twice in copper pot stills and matured in French oak barrels for at least two years, but typically for much longer.

Where is cognac made?

Cognac can only be made in the Cognac region of France, under tightly regulated conditions. There are thousands of vineyards in Cognac, divided into six zones (crus). Cognacs from the Grande Champagne zone are the most sought after. Other crus include Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaries. Each region will produce cognacs with their own distinct character.

Different types of cognac

A cognac is typically a blend of spirits of different ages and origins. Cognacs are classified by age into the following groups:

What does cognac taste like?

The flavours and aromas of cognac will vary depending on how old it is. Younger cognacs will be light and fresh, with floral, fruity and citrussy notes. Older spirits will have more dominant notes of dried fruit and spices, such as cinnamon and vanilla. The ones aged for longest will be rich and intense, with notes of cigars, toffee, chocolate and nuts, among others.

How do you drink cognac?

Cognac is traditionally sipped neat from balloon snifters, but it’s now more common to use tulip-shaped glasses. Older cognacs are best enjoyed neat, but younger cognacs such as VS work really well in cocktails. Classics include the sidecar (cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice), sazerac (sugar, cognac and/or rye whisky, Peychaud’s bitters, absinthe) and vieux carré (cognac, rye whisky, benedictine, sweet vermouth, Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters).

10 best cognacs to buy at a glance

10 best cognacs to buy 2023

Pierre Ferrand Ten Générations

Pierre Ferrand Ten Générations

Best affordable cognac

An easy-drinking cognac – fresh yet full-bodied, with honeyed apple and pear notes, floral blossom, pepper and oak flavours. Try using in an old fashioned cocktail in place of whisky.

Available from:
Master of Malt (£38.54)
Amazon (£42)

Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic Folle Blanche L.XII

Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic Folle Blanche L.XII

Best organic cognac

This organic cognac, unusually, is made from 100% Folle Blanche grapes in Grande Champagne. It’s been aged for 10 years and is pleasingly bright and fruity, with notes of stone fruits, honey, citrus zest and spice.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£66.95)

AE Dor Napoleon Cognac

AE Dor Napoleon Cognac1

Best cognac for spicy notes

Napoleon cognac is a VSOP cognac that has been aged for six or more years. This example has been aged in a dry cellar with lower levels of humidity, which tends to produce more intense cognacs with woody, spicy notes. This one is lively with spice, but still slips down like silk. Cognacs aged in humid cellars close to water are more mellow, with a rounded end result.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£79.50)
Amazon (£82.74)

WV Baker Rare Pale Cognac N° 02-15

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WV Baker Rare Pale Cognac N° 02-15

Best single variety cognac

Small independent bottler WV Baker specialises in the singular – single barrels, single grape varietals and single estates. His Rare Pale – a 2015 vintage – comes from just one vineyard and has been aged in a single cask for six years. Winningly accessible and drinkable, it comes at a great price point, so it's perfect for those new to congnac or on more of a budget.

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Tesseron Lot 53 XO Perfection Cognac

Tesseron Lot 53 XO Perfection Cognac

Best blowout cognac

Aged for two generations, this blend of the best Grande Champagne cognacs is a showstopper: voluptuous, generous, silky and elegant, with notes of dried fruit and woodiness. An extremely special sipper for special occasions.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£295)

La Guilde du Cognac Saint Preuil Extra

La Guilde du Cognac Saint Preuil Extra

Best unusual cognac

While this cognac is a blend of three different vintages – 1990, 1996 and 2004 – they all come from the same village, Saint Preuil in Grande Champagne. Bold, peppery, spicy and uncompromising, this single-village spirit is a great choice for those looking for something a little different from their cognacs.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£120)

Ragnaud Sabourin No.10 VSOP Cognac

Ragnaud Sabourin No.10 VSOP Cognac

Best classic cognac

If you’re looking for a classic all-rounder cognac, this spirit could be just the ticket. Made using 100% Ugni Blanc grapes by a family-owned cognac house founded in 1850, this 10-year-old cognac is full of floral and fruit notes – soft, smooth and welcoming.

Available from:
The Whisky Exchange (£74.25)
Master of Malt (£72.74)
Amazon (£75.40)

Normandin-Mercier Extra Old

Normandin-Mercier Extra

Best smooth cognac

A generous and complex 30-year-old XO cognac from Grande Champagne – really smooth and balanced, with a full-bodied dried fruit character, nuttiness and spice, and a deliciously long finish.

Available from:
Cognac Expert (£132)

Frapin 1993

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Frapin 1993

Best complex cognac

Wonderfully layered and complex, this single-cask cognac – aged for more than two decades – is a proper treat to sip, full of orchard and tropical fruit, nuttiness and spice.

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Seignette VS

Seignette VS

Best cognac for cocktails

A modern, prettily branded cognac with an easy-going, light character, and dried fruit and vanilla notes – great for cocktails like a sidecar or brandy alexander with crème de cacao and cream.

Available from:
Amazon (£32)
Master of Malt (£35.24)
The Bottle Club (£31.19)

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Authors

Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer

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