With a wide variety of Cognac bottlings to choose from, it is easy to enjoy a stay-cation to southwest France, and the commune of Cognac that resides therein. Cognac is often misunderstood; it is not just for sipping after dinner. Here are a few key pieces of advice for enjoying this versatile spirit.
1. If It’s Young, Mix It
For cocktails, pour a younger spirit. Citrus, nutty and floral flavors play well with cognac, so try fixing classics such as the Sidecar and French Connection. Also, a young cognac with ginger ale on ice works wonders on hot summer days.
2. If It’s Old, Drink It Straight
As soon as there is any depth or complexity with a Cognac, it should not be used in cocktails. Save those pricey XO and VSOP spirits for sipping. Aged brandies have very delicate and subtle notes, and are best enjoyed on their own. Mixers, food, or even cigars can diminish the experience. A prerequisite to savoring Cognac is said to be free of distraction: no stress, anger, or loud people around!
3. Don't Add Water or Ice
Water tends to make cognac too bland unless you deal with a cask-strength bottling, which is rare. And ice just kills it. In general, serve the spirit neat, at room temperature, or slightly cooler. The traditional snifter, with its wide, balloon-shaped bottom and narrow top, is the ideal vessel, as it allows for swirling and therefore the liberation of aromatic compounds.
4. Stock Up Now
If you’ve ever thought about building a brandy collection, you’d better get started. Due to the huge demand for expensive XO bottlings in Asia, many large cognac producers are running low on older stocks.
