What Is Cognac? Cognac vs Brandy Explained

What is cognac?

Cognac is a type of brandy made from white grapes grown in the Cognac region of south-western France, in the Charente area. It is protected by appellation rules that govern the grapes (mainly Ugni Blanc), the stills, the ageing and the region.

Cognac is distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills called Charentais stills, and then aged in French oak barrels, usually from Limousin or Tronçais forests. It must be aged at least two years before it can be sold.

How is cognac different from brandy?

Brandy is any spirit distilled from fermented fruit, usually grapes. Cognac is brandy with a specific place of origin and a legally defined method. Other famous brandies include Armagnac from Gascony, Spanish Brandy de Jerez, and apple brandy such as Calvados from Normandy.

In practice, cognac tends to be smoother, more floral and more refined, while brandies from other regions can be rustic or sweeter. If you want an everyday brandy for cooking and mixing, a general brandy is fine. For sipping, cognac is the classic choice.

What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?

These are age classes based on the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. VS (Very Special) is at least two years old. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is at least four. XO (Extra Old) is at least ten, a rule that came into force in 2018 and replaced an earlier six-year minimum. Many houses blend far older spirits than the minimum.

Each class has a different style. VS is fresh, fruity and good in mixed drinks. VSOP is rounder with vanilla and spice. XO is rich, complex and layered, with dried fruit, chocolate, tobacco and leather notes.

What are the cognac crus?

The Cognac region is divided into six growing areas called crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois, Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires. Grande Champagne is the most prized and is known for floral, long-ageing eaux-de-vie. “Fine Champagne” on a label means a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne with at least 50 per cent Grande.

This “Champagne” has no link to the sparkling wine. The word refers to the chalky soil of the Cognac area, which is the same root word as the sparkling region but is a separate matter in law.

Which cognacs should you buy?

The large houses make reliable benchmarks. Hennessy VSOP is a popular all-rounder. Hennessy XO is the classic aged blend. Martell’s Cordon Bleu and Blue Swift show a different, finer style that finishes in Bourbon barrels (Blue Swift).

At the top end, Louis XIII de Rémy Martin is a blend of eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne, aged for decades. See our cognac and brandy collection for the full range.

Explore: Shop cognac and brandy

How do you drink cognac?

Sip it neat in a tulip or snifter glass at room temperature, with a few drops of water if you like. Warm the glass gently in your hands rather than over a flame. VS and VSOP also work in cocktails such as the Sidecar, Sazerac (originally cognac-based) and Brandy Alexander.

Cognac pairs well with dark chocolate, cheese, cigars and roast meats. For a different style of aged spirit, compare with the single malts in our guide to single malt versus blended Scotch.

How do you choose between cognac and other brandy?

Choose cognac when you want a refined sipping spirit, a gift or a classic cocktail. Choose another brandy for cooking, flambé or casual mixing, where price matters more than nuance.

Check the age class on the label, the cru if given and the producer’s reputation. If you want to start, a VSOP gives the best balance of price and quality. Buyers must be 18 or over.

What do Napoléon and Hors d’Âge mean?

Beyond VS, VSOP and XO, you may see Napoléon and Hors d’Âge. Napoléon is a blend with a youngest component of at least six years, usually sitting between VSOP and XO. Hors d’Âge means “beyond age” and is a legal equivalent of XO, with a minimum of ten years, though houses often use it for exceptionally old blends.

The best way to judge a premium cognac is by the house, the cru and the tasting notes, rather than the age term alone.

What are the best cognac cocktails?

The Sidecar: 50 mL cognac, 20 mL Cointreau and 20 mL lemon juice, shaken and strained into a chilled glass. The French Connection: cognac and amaretto over ice. The Vieux Carré: rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine and bitters. A cognac and ginger ale is a simple highball.

Use a VS or VSOP for cocktails and save XO for sipping. Browse Cointreau for your Sidecar.

How do Cognac, Armagnac and Calvados compare?

Armagnac comes from Gascony and is typically distilled once in a column still, giving a more rustic, fuller spirit that is often released as vintages. Calvados is apple (and pear) brandy from Normandy. Cognac is double distilled in pot stills, giving a refined, floral and layered style.

If you enjoy cognac, Armagnac is a rewarding next step, and Calvados offers a fruit-forward alternative. All three are best enjoyed neat. For another aged spirit comparison, read our single malt versus blended Scotch guide.

How should you store cognac?

Store cognac upright, in a cool, dark place at a steady temperature. Like whisky, it stops ageing once bottled, so there is no benefit to cellaring it for flavour. An opened bottle keeps for years if sealed, although flavour slowly softens, especially once it is less than a third full.

Keep the box and any certificate for gift or collectable bottles. For rare decanters such as Louis XIII, storage conditions affect value, so keep them away from light and heat.