What Is Cognac? 8 Things To Know About This Spirit

1. Cognac Is A Type Of Brandy

[{"selector":"#anim-15090dea-2eb2-4d85-acf8-6664a8e0bf6b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0448f8c1-be23-4d57-998b-cad4da6c605b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Cognac is essentially a specific kind of brandy, but not all brandy qualifies as Cognac. It adheres to strict production rules and originates from the Cognac region in France

2. Made From Specific Grape Varieties

[{"selector":"#anim-828674c8-d419-457c-ae30-e7823e5b6886","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a9757c1-0aa1-4881-a345-6e692804b7e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 272.53077%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Only certain white grapes are permitted for Cognac production, with Ugni Blanc being the primary variety.

3. Double Distillation In Copper Stills

[{"selector":"#anim-6fcc6eac-e264-436f-9c92-1dd32261e807","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bfad4de-7dce-4e23-935b-13d559b96243","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Cognac is distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills, a process known as alambic charentais. This technique enhances its purity and complexity.

4. Aged In French Oak Barrels

[{"selector":"#anim-80005d53-6bb9-4f23-92c8-bc502afe1719","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d254a25-2009-40a8-a769-cd9825e98119","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The spirit is aged in French oak barrels, primarily sourced from Limousin or Tronçais forests. This ageing process imparts rich flavours like vanilla, caramel, and spices.

5. Classification Based On Aging

[{"selector":"#anim-9686232c-17a9-4988-bc71-712b5b1a87b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8a97cdc-a289-4be4-81ed-56c451133a49","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.41069%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Cognac is categorised by age: – VS (Very Special): Aged at least 2 years – VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): Aged at least 4 years – XO (Extra Old): Aged at least 10 years

6. The Terroir Matters

[{"selector":"#anim-62939734-31d4-455a-b1e0-c517ca76141c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-141accb9-a09e-4406-ace9-894cfeb36ebe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Title 3Cognac’s flavour is deeply influenced by its terroir—the soil, climate, and topography of the region.

7. How To Enjoy It

[{"selector":"#anim-13bd6f23-8c9b-481d-a8dc-112539e641a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1bcef47-aa90-44c4-a9d0-c7c74b94a7ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Cognac is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in classic cocktails like a Sidecar or French 75.

8. Prestige And Heritage

[{"selector":"#anim-c089d309-858d-4f1f-9439-9f09e92e0eda","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d76b6495-b6e6-4f27-bd72-612693e50cb7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash With labels like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, and Martell presenting its legendary heritage, cognac has a long history of fine craftsmanship.

[{"selector":"#anim-f9e0c287-19f5-4f47-845b-1ff737104851","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c18a6f4-3dd1-4771-93d3-d22e62dbd025","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 550.44477%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Cognac offers a unique and refined journey into the world of fine spirits.