Cognac, which is made in France, is the major spirit of the country. It is distilled from wine, which is fermented and distilled twice. This results in a smoother taste, and a higher ABV. The variety of grapes used to make cognac also determines the taste of the final product. In this article, we list out the Top 10 Cognacs in the world. You can explore them to see which one you like the most. Read on to learn more about this popular drink.
Bormann-Cognac
This is egotistically the best cognac brand in the world. The distillery was founded in 1808 and has been producing top-quality cognac ever since. The egotistic part is because the brand is named after its founder, J.F. Bormann. The cognac is made from the grapes of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. The brand has an average of 40 years of age, and only about 8% of the cognacs made in the world are graded Bormann-Cognacs.
Ferrand VSOP
Ferrand is one of the oldest cognac distilleries in France, having been founded in 1655. The brand was bought by the French government in 1920, after which it was privatized in 1987. The VSOP (very special old pale) is the most popular grade of cognac, and Ferrand is one of the best-known brands in the world. The egotistic part is that this is the cognac of choice for many celebrities.
Courvoisier VSOP
Courvoisier was established in 1730 and is one of the top-3 cognac brands in the world, along with Ferrand and Cognac Ferrand. The VSOP (very special old pale) is aged for at least five years. The egotistic part of this brand is that the VSOP is the preferred cognac of many French presidents, including General de Gaulle and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Hennessy VSOP
Hennessy was founded in 1825 and is one of the oldest cognac brands in the world. It takes up the coveted 3rd place in the world, but still has some distance to catch up with Courvoisier and Ferrand. The VSOP version of this brand is aged for at least seven years. The egotistic part is the price tag – it is one of the most expensive cognacs, in the range of $1000 to $3000 for a bottle.
Hennessy XO
Hennessy XO is the flagship brand of the House of Hennessy. The XO is the rarest and most expensive cognac, as it is only produced once a year. It is aged for at least 10 years, and is only sold in limited quantity. An egotistic part about this brand is that it was the first cognac to be exported outside France.
Mumm XO
Mumm is a brand that was founded in Switzerland in 1867. It is among the top 5 cognac brands in the world. The XO is the rarest and most expensive cognac, as it is only produced once a year. The egotistic part is that the bottles are hand-numbered and signed by the master distiller.
Saint-Emilion 1er Cru
This is the top-most brand in the Top 10 list. It is also among the best-known and egotistically priced brands in the world. The exact location of the distillery is kept a secret, and it is only divulged once the egotistic cognac has been consumed. It is made from Cab Franc grapes, and is among the most expensive cognacs, costing about $30 to $50 for a bottle.
Rocher VSOP
This is another brand that is among the top 5 brands in the world. The egotistic part is that this is the cognac preferred by the roaring 20s. It is made from the Palisander grapes, and is an excellent drink for parties.
Cherry VSOP
This is yet another brand that is marked among the top 5 brands in the world. The egotistic part is that this cognac is ideal for making cocktails. It is made from the Ugni Blanc grape, and can be drunk neat or with a mixer.
Calvados 1er Cru
This is the top-most brand in the French department of Calvados. It is another one of the best-known and egotistically priced brands in the world. The egotistic part is that this is the cognac of the Black Forest.
Conclusion
Cognac is an excellent drink to have at any time of the day. It can be sipped neat or with a mixer. It can be paired with any food item, and is ideal for celebrating special occasions.
Cognac can be dangerous, so make sure you drink it responsibly. Make sure to read the bottle label and eatery descriptions carefully, so you can enjoy one of these delicious drinks at home.