VSOP Cognac - what is your favourite?

[winelover]

What is your favourite VSOP Cognac offering?

The one that sticks out for me is HINE RARE VSOP. The aromas it gave off where really enchanting - very floral and complex with a little spice and very smooth and good in length. Has anyone else had this?

For purposes of comparison, the only other VSOP cognacs I've tried are Courvoissier, Hennesy, Martell and Remy.

[bob25]

I rarely drink Cognac ,too strong for me,but I do have a bottle of Courvoissier VSOP which every now and then I pour myself a drink and enjoy it with a fine cigar.

I'm more of a wine person.

[khomeinist]

I would recommend looking at some of the smaller houses like Pierre Ferrand or even looking for equivalently priced Armagnac houses. I am not particularly fond on any of the major VSOPs (Hennessy, Martell, Courvoissier, and Remy). I would rather have Hine or Kelt. Remy and Hennessy VSOP are ok for a serious cognac drinking session but lack great complexity. I don't think Courvoissier or Martell are particularly good until one gets to X.O. and beyond.

But take a look at Ferrand or Delamain. That is if you don't mind saying goodbye to the majors.

[laficion]

I'm in love with Hine, the whole line is nice, they have a cigar reserve also, Great Cognac

I also enjoy " Otard " who makes a great line.

However, I must add that they are both very difficult to find even here in France

because they export the most part

[JasonInChiTown]

I do a lot cognac drinking - and have landed at Courvoisier as my favorite VSOP. Has very consistent flavor year after year. I find Remy and Hennessy vary. Martell is pretty good too

[khomeinist]

I do a lot cognac drinking - and have landed at Courvoisier as my favorite VSOP. Has very consistent flavor year after year. I find Remy and Hennessy vary. Martell is pretty good too

Yeah. Fair enough on the Courvoisier. I have had the CV many times and my dislike for 'lower-level' CV has more to do with my intense dislike for the VS version, which to my taste is about as bad as Christian Brothers or the Erk and Jerk. I always go for CV VSOP on a plane or something if that is the only cognac present.

I drink lots of brandy. I should start up an armagnac thread. Delord is a go-to for less than 40 US.

[winelover]

I drink lots of brandy. I should start up an armagnac thread. Delord is a go-to for less than 40 US.

Please do. I am v. Interested in armagnacs too. Thanks

[bolivr]

Great thread and advice thanks guys. I am working through a bottle of Hennessy VSOP from duty free. Its ok but now I am keen to try some of the suggestions you guys have.

[winelover]

But take a look at Ferrand or Delamain. That is if you don't mind saying goodbye to the majors.

Thanks for the tip. My wife's planning to get me a bottle of Delamain X.O. for Christmas which I am very much looking forward to, just like a kid waiting for Santa!

[winelover]

I'm in love with Hine, the whole line is nice, they have a cigar reserve also, Great Cognac

I also enjoy " Otard " who makes a great line.

However, I must add that they are both very difficult to find even here in France

because they export the most part

Thanks also for your recommendation of Otard which I will look out for but doesn't appear to be sold here in the UK. Hine is not widely sold in England although is available and you might have better luck in airport duty free sections where I have previously seen the Hine Antique X.O. and promised myself that I would buy it one day.

[Puros Y Vino]

HINE is definitely great. My favourite is Camus. The bigger names do make good Cognac but often they are overrated. Though I do enjoy Remy Martin Champagne Cognac.

[CUBANO]

Great Thread. Has anyone tried Meukow VSOP Cognac and how did it taste?

[jjdolphin]

My favorite is Hennessy from the mid then I would probably go with Remi. About 80% my cigar smoking goes with it. Funny how the Cognac doesn't sit well with a lot of people. I have a group of friends where we sip and smoke, and most will shy away from the Cognac.

Hennessy XO was very good, although I cannot say I tried Remy Louis XIII, for obvious rea$$$ons.

[winelover]

Funny how the Cognac doesn't sit well with a lot of people. I have a group of friends where we sip and smoke, and most will shy away from the Cognac.

I only know a handful of people who enjoy coganc* and find it surprising too. Then again it has always suprised me how few people drink real coffee as opposed to instant (and that is from working in law firms).

*By this I mean brandy really, whether it is cognac, armagnac, calvados or otherwise.

[winelover]

Bought a bottle of St Vivant Armagnac at auction last week - anyone tried this?

Saving opening it until I try my first Sir Winston from my 2003 box, probably on my Christmas break.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know it's not 'top shelf' (I don't think), but is it at least decent?

It's at least 15-20 years old, but I've read that it doesn't mature any further in the bottle - just not many of these older ones around AFAIK.

Thank you.

I am sure you will really enjoy it. I've not heard of that particular armagnac. Then again the armagnac region is made of numerous very small producers. Hopefully you've struck a gem. Once when I was on holiday in France I stumbled upon a bottle of Larresingle XO from a French Hypermarket at just EUR24 and it was heavenly - I spent all the time just inhaling the intoxicating aromas. Coupled great with a cigar too.

I would be interested to find out how you get on.

[khomeinist]

Anybody tried the Remy Martin 1738 yet? Damn. My new favorite at under $60. Availability seems limited at the moment, but if you see a bottle I would recommend giving this cognac a shot.

[JohnS]

My favorite is Hennessy from the mid then I would probably go with Remi. About 80% my cigar smoking goes with it. Funny how the Cognac doesn't sit well with a lot of people. I have a group of friends where we sip and smoke, and most will shy away from the Cognac.

Hennessy XO was very good, although I cannot say I tried Remy Louis XIII, for obvious rea$$$ons.

I also advocate the Hennessy VSOP as the best in the VSOP line. The problem for those unfamiliar with Cognac is the lack of patience with it. You simply cannot savour the drink if you don't warm it up (i.e the glass in your hand) and prepare your palate (i.e my periodically sniffing in the aroma, hence opening up your senses).