CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Non-Audio Stuff => Food and Drink => Topic started by: ROK on June 26, 2013, 05:48:24 PM
-
Anyone enjoy a fine glass of cognac as much as I do? I love scotch but I was looking for more of a cinnamony, fruity drink and found it with my now-beloved Remy Martin Excellence XO, and Henessy XO.
-
I love cognac but I drink too much and don't want to spend several thousand dollars a month on drinks which is the only reason why I don't drink Remy or Hennessy everyday.
-
I LOVE cognac but found some great character in Armagnac.
Specifically Boigneres with 100% Folle Blanche, but traditional blends are preferred by most.
Best Value is Marie Duffaut Hors D'Age. Fantastic for the price!
Keep in mind that batches/years of Armagnac even within the same Chateau will vary wildly.
The two above and sometimes Ravignan will be your best bets and introduction.
There is less distillation and therefore it is a bit more "rustic" and flavorful.
Stick to "Bas Armagnac". That is the region is the best for the wines that are used in the distillation to create Armagnac.
-
Second Henessy XO, though I prefer/use HINE XO. Have to say Courvoisier VS, VSOP, XO are pretty atrocious.
-
I LOVE cognac but found some great character in Armagnac.
Specifically Boigneres with 100% Folle Blanche, but traditional blends are preferred by most.
Best Value is Marie Duffaut Hors D'Age. Fantastic for the price!
Keep in mind that batches/years of Armagnac even within the same Chateau will vary wildly.
The two above and sometimes Ravignan will be your best bets and introduction.
There is less distillation and therefore it is a bit more "rustic" and flavorful.
Stick to "Bas Armagnac". That is the region is the best for the wines that are used in the distillation to create Armagnac.
Such a shame that California has better grapes than France on the whole, but we don't have the 250 years of time invested to make a proper Cognac.
-
Would be interesting to try an Armangac (single-distilled) or a Cognac (double-distilled) produced here in California.
Couple of issues are the aging time and also the wines used. Folle Blanche, Bacco, Colombard, and Ugni Blanc are usually used for Armagnac.
What? Yeah, I don't know if those will grow well in California. Particular regions and very specific areas were found through trial and error plus generations and iterations over in France and that's why their wines are still sold based upon AOC (appellations the wines have to be grown in).
Those wines are what are distilled, then you need 12-25 years for some good aging.
As for Cognac, I used to prefer Martell to the Henessey XO. Martell Cordon Bleu also disappears way too quickly for me to have it around...
I remember some very floral Maison Surrenne brandy, does that sound familiar?
-
Hennessy XO is definitely my favorite of the big names. Second comes Courvoisier - especially their Napoleon. Not a fan of Remy Martin at all. Meukow VS is a decent budget option. I've only had Hine a couple of times and don't remember much about it.
My favorite is A. de Fussigny's Cigar Blend, which, sadly, can no longer be found. It was delicious with or without a cigar accompaniment but those few occasions when I've coupled it with a Maduro and poker made for memorably joyous nights.
I was once crazy enough to order a taste of the Hennessy Richard. Its complex sweetness kind of ruined all other cognacs for me for about a year.
Armagnac is a thoroughly enjoyable alternative. I like the Cles des Ducs, though it does have some bite.
Whenever I'm with family we default to a selection from near our homeland, Georgian brandy. I highly recommend giving one a shot if you ever run across them.
-
I'm currently drinking a Pierre Ferrand Vintage Edition, distilled in 1973 and bottled in 1999. Not bad. My wife buys me a nice Cognac every year for Christmas.
-
It's gong to take me a million years before I try everything mentioned here. :P
So do you guys use just brandy glass? Anyone try Riedel's glass before?
I hear the wrong glass can make the drink taste like shit.
-
We generally use a glencairn or a very small snifter.
Much/Most of taste is actually smell.
A good glass focuses and helps deliver the molecules to the nose.
Also add a touch of cool water (start with drops or a teaspoon) to release more scent with less alcohol.
I really try to control temperature and concentration to taste. :)p5
-
Haven't used them for Cognac, but I agree on the Glencairn glass. I really like them. I have the original Glencairn and the Glencairn Canadian Whiskey glass which is much wider and without the glass base stem type thing, more of a tumbler style. Just be warned, the originals are quite narrow and they have annoyed quite a few people who I have given a drink from one. If you have a big nose you may find them tricky aha.
-
I should really get me one of those... I really want to get the best experience possible with such $$$ drinks.
I was considering the Riedel Henessey glass but it's $75...
-
I should really get me one of those... I really want to get the best experience possible with such $$$ drinks.
I was considering the Riedel Henessey glass but it's $75...
I have one of these which is not far from a stem on the one you are looking at. http://www.riedelusa.net/single-malt-whiskey-glass.html (http://www.riedelusa.net/single-malt-whiskey-glass.html) I greatly prefer in nose the cheap Glencairn that I got at Beltramos in Menlo Park.
The problem for me with flutes is that they don't "focus" PLUS they don't encourage the nose to dip towards the glass when sipping due to the angle of the lip...
I would recommend 2-5 very small and less expensive snifters over the <one glass> as well so that you can set up nice little tastings/trials for yourself. You'll be able to do trials with small amounts of different spirits OR the same spirit different ways. Add differing amounts of water to the same spirit in 3-5 snifters and go back and forth between sample #1 and sample #5 to understand the change. Then dial in the "right amount". Just an example...change temperature between three samples. (Then try changing temperature and water volume.)
-
Yes. I should get some Glencairns.
I was in Alberta until the other day and wow, Hennessy XO was $175 compared to $270 here in BC...