Cognac

I came to Cognac late — not until I was in my 6s. Had assumed it wasn't for me based on nothing in particular. A partner's recommendation changed that. Tried it on the rocks and the character was immediately interesting rather than off-putting. Several years on and it's firmly part of how I drink. …

After 30 years of drinking Cognac I'm still finding bottles that surprise me. The category has more depth than it's given credit for by people who haven't explored it properly. Served on the rocks at its best, the smooth aftertaste continues to evolve in interesting directions. My advice to anyone …

I came to Cognac late — not until I was in my 7s. Had assumed it wasn't for me based on nothing in particular. A partner's recommendation changed that. Tried it chilled and the smooth aftertaste was immediately interesting rather than off-putting. Several years on and it's firmly part of how I drin…

Tried this Cognac on recommendation and it's a solid choice without being exceptional. Served with a splash of water as suggested. The finish is present but not as pronounced as in more premium examples. For regular drinking it's good value. For a special occasion I'd go a step up. It's the kind of…

My first serious Cognac was a gift and it genuinely opened a new chapter in how I think about drinking. The complexity — especially the smooth aftertaste — was unlike anything I'd experienced. Served on the rocks by the person who gave it, with an explanation of what I was tasting. That experience …

Cognac has become my slow-evening ritual. Served neat, no distractions, and you start to notice things — the nose, the way it develops in the glass. It's a drink that rewards attention in a way most don't. I've introduced a few friends to proper Cognac and the reaction is always the same: surprise …

I've been a Cognac drinker for years and this category never gets old. The depth of flavour you get from a well-made Cognac is genuinely hard to explain to someone who hasn't tried it. I tend to drink it as a long drink with ice and find that's when it shows its best character. The finish is what s…

I spent years not getting Cognac. Tried it a few times, found it fine, moved on. Then I had it served with a splash of water by someone who knew what they were doing and the complexity on the palate landed differently. Something clicked. Since then I've been actively exploring the category and find…

I use Cognac primarily in cocktails and it excels in that role — the depth of flavour comes through in a mixed drink in ways that complement rather than dominate. Served neat chilled it's fine but not where it shines for me personally. If you're building a home bar, having a quality Cognac is essen…

Over the past year I've tried 20 different expressions of Cognac, ranging from entry-level to premium. My conclusion: the character is the most reliable indicator of quality across price points. Served chilled, the differences are pronounced and educational. The best value wasn't the most expensive…