Cognac vs Brandy: What is the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Cognac vs Brandy: What is the Difference? ›

Examples of brandy include pisco, armagnac or Obstler (a brandy produced in Austria and Switzerland). Cognac, however, is always made with grapes and has a very specific distillation and blending process located in a small, protected area in the southwest of France. considered as brandy, but not all brandy is cognac.”

As previously mentioned, brandy is distilled fruit juice, and it can be any kind of fruit juice, while cognac is a specific type of distilled fruit juice with lots of qualifications. Cognac comes from the Cognac region of southwestern France, and is made with a fruit juice base of white grapes.

Is Hennessy a Type of Whiskey or Brandy? Hennessy is a Cognac, which is a type of brandy. It is not a whiskey. Cognac is a grape-based brandy produced in the Cognac region of France.

Cognac tends to be more expensive due to its strict regulations and longer aging requirements, but there are premium Brandies that can rival Cognac in price.

Grapes, not grain: When you compare cognac production with whisky, part of the reason that cognac typically is more expensive to produce is down to the base material they're working with. Grapes must be harvested every year and made into wine as quickly as possible once harvested.

VSOP, “Very Superior Old Pale”, which is now common for all Cognac Houses actually dates back to 1817 British Royal Court. So, what does VSOP stand for exactly? For a cognac to be classified as a VSOP, the minimum age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend must be at least 4 years old.

Hennessy has a substantial consumer base among African Americans, who drink the majority of the cognac consumed in the United States. Accordingly, the brand has also marketed itself with initiatives around black entrepreneurship and Black History Month.

Grand Marnier orange flavored liqueur is the result of a unique alchemy created by combining the noble taste of cognac with the exoticism of the bitter oranges. It's a unique blend of fine french cognac with bigaradia citrus fruits whose recipe has not changed since its creation.

1. Hennessy. Our top cognac has got to be the most recognizable one in the world.

Why is cognac so special? ›

Unlike many other spirits, cognac is aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of two years, and often much longer. During this time, the spirit takes on the flavors and aromas of the wood, developing a rich, complex profile that can include notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice.

Invented by a cognac house in 1870, the cognac XO means « Extra Old ». Indeed, its eaux-de-vie are aged in barrels for at least 10 years. But an XO has, in general, an average age between 15 and 20 years because of its blend. This is the reference for Cognac houses.

It depends on the product. Brandy is such a broad term compared to cognac that there are bound to be both sweeter and less sweet versions. If you're looking for the sweetest tasting cognac then we recommend a younger one.

There is no specific way to drink cognac, it can be enjoyed neat, with ice, with water, with a mixer or in a co*cktail. It is all up to personal preference. Is cognac served warm or cold? Traditionally cognac is served at room temperature and warmed in the hand.

VS stands for Very Special and only eaux-de-vie at least two years old can be used to make a VS Cognac. Other denominators and expressions are permitted in this class, such as "3 stars" or "luxury". VSOP stands for Very Superior Old Pale. VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years.