5 Flawlessly Blended Rémy Martin Cognacs | Drinks Geek (2023)

FAQs

Which is better Hennessy or Remy Martin? ›

Remy Martin Vs Hennessy – What to Choose? The answer depends on what you're looking for in your Cognac. If you want a smooth and mellow drink that's great on its own or with food, then Remy is probably your best bet (though it's worth mentioning that both brands make excellent VSOP Cognacs as well).

Rémy Martin's dark, rich VSOP expression has the flavor profile of a more mature XO bottling, and for a fraction of the price. Those searching for the bright, fruity hallmarks of a VSOP may be disappointed, but it's an excellent cognac in any case.

Why is Rémy Martin so expensive? Rémy Martin's premium price comes from its rigorous production process, combining expert craftsmanship with the finest French grapes and exceptional purity. Cognac is also generally a more expensive spirit, due to its specified growth area and attention to detail.

Medicinally it's said that cognac is better for your heart than whisky and rarely results in a hangover - great benefits certainly but for us, the sheer depth and intensity of flavour, fruitiness, warmth and complexity means that cognac will always be the King of Spirits.

Hors d'Age is widely considered the highest quality Cognac. This will have been aged, usually for more than 30 years but in many instances, it is difficult to tell the exact age of Cognacs in this classification as they have been around for so long.

For cocktails, we advise that you choose a Very Superior (VS) or Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP) Cognac and save those pricey XO and Hors d'Age Spirits for sipping. If you're a Cognac purist who wants to enjoy your Cognac neat, use a 'taster's glass' with a long and narrow tulip shape.

We suggest a snifter glass for traditional tasting moments, such as after dinner as a digestif, where the cognac is served neat, warmed by the heat of your hands. Over dinner, we recommend enjoying cognac neat. “FOR COGNAC ON THE ROCKS, SERVE IN A LARGE TUMBLER GLASS WITH ROOM FOR TWO ICE CUBES.”

The most traditional method of serving cognac is after dinner as a digestif, where it is served neat and at room temperature in a snifter glass.

Rémy Martin VSOP is technically a brandy since it's made from grapes. However, it's an elevated style of brandy called cognac (a too-often forgotten spirit that you might find in the back of your grandparent's liquor cabinet).

Cognac is prized for its smooth and soft character and the high quality grapes it's distilled from. "It's an extension of wine, in that you can still taste the grape in it. Other types of brandy don't always offer a hint of the fruit they're made from," Erickson says.

What is the most expensive Remy bottle? ›

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.

Remy Martin, the luxury brand, is synonymous with fine Champagne. The company produces more than 80% of all fine Champagne cognacs sold in the United States. Fine Champagne is produced by grape varieties grown in the Champagne region between the Grande and Petite Champagne crus.

We know that in a 750 ml bottle there is 25.36 fluid ounces. Since a traditional shot glass(jigger) is 1.5 fl oz. We multiply the 29.57 mL we had previously by 1.5. And lastly, 750 ml/44.46 mL = 16.90 shots.

While Cognac has long been well-established in the US among black drinkers, who largely drink the spirit casually at home, white drinkers in the country are increasing their Cognac consumption – often through the on-premise channel and as an after-dinner digestif.

In the late 1990s as hip hop began to truly go global via MTV, cognac and Hennessy in particular started to be referenced by rappers. It was dropped into tracks as a reference point for old-world luxury, enjoying the finer things in life and sharing a good time.

Being a French traditional prestigious spirit, cognac has a strong export orientation, with a majority of the product being consumed internationally. The United States is the largest market in volume and China the largest in value.

The designations you see on Cognac labels—VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and XO (Extra Old)—are a guarantee of how long a Cognac has been aged. VS indicates that the Cognac has been aged at least two years, VSOP at least four years and XO (Extra Old) at least six years.

A Costco Cognac may not seem like the most glamorous choice for a connoisseur, but the Kirkland Signature XO Fine Cognac is a unique and pleasant XO that has surprised drinkers around the world with its delicate yet standout flavor profile and pleasing price tag when compared to others of its age.

The answer to this question is entirely down to personal preference. Cognac is a decadent, fruity, and aromatic drink. Whereas the flavour of whisky can vary hugely from region to region and cask to cask.

Should cognac be refrigerated? ›

Should cognac be refrigerated after opening? You should not refrigerate cognac after opening. Whether opened or unopened, cognac should only be stored at room temperature.

Grand Marnier is a sophisticated blend of cognac and exotic bitter orange.

The answer: Unequivocal no, it hasn't improved – or deteriorated … Wine's reputation for delivering dividends with time in bottle has unfairly spilled over into the spirits world. Once sealed in glass, cognac – or any other high-alcohol spirit – is essentially embalmed. Time itself does not cause the flavour to evolve.

As an aperitif, cognac is usually consumed neat. Adding a drop of water will reveal more fruity, floral, and spicy aromas, making the tasting experience smoother.

About the Hennessy and Coke

A Hennessy and Coke is a simple two-ingredient cocktail that's comprised of exactly what it sounds like: Hennessy cognac and Coca-Cola. The liquor and soda work nicely together and create a refreshing, easy-to-make drink that you can make at home or order in just about any bar in the world.

3. Don't Add Water or Ice. “Water tends to make cognac too bland, unless you deal with a cask-strength bottling, which is rare,” Desoblin says, “and ice just kills it.” In general, serve the spirit neat, at room temperature or slightly cooler.

Hennessy Cognac is much stronger than beer or wine so it must be imbibed carefully. In most places, the blood alcohol level to be considered drunk is . 08. It does not take much to get there, especially with 80 Proof Hennessy.

A digestif such as Cognac is so named because after a meal (and in most cases, this would be a hearty meal), the digestive system–or stomach–is full of the food you've just eaten. The theory behind drinking a digestif is that it stimulates various organs to increase their production of secretions that aid digestion.

What you drink and how often you drink are two big factors that can contribute to a dreaded hangover. Dark liquors like whiskey, bourbon, and cognac are all high in compounds called congeners, which break down into formaldehyde (no joke) as your body processes alcohol and eliminates it from your body.

So what does XO mean for Cognac? The terminology stands for 'Extra Old' and describes a cognac consisting of eaux-de-vie that have been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years.

What is the difference between Hennessy and cognac? ›

Hennessy is one of the big names in cognac, which is a style of brandy produced exclusively in the French region of Cognac. Available in various expressions of different ages, Hennessy is drunk around the world. One of the most popular bottles is Hennessy V.S.

Growth Area 'Champagne'

The name Champagne on a Cognac bottle refers to its origin, namely the growth area the grapes were grown in. There are six growth areas–or “terroirs”–in total, and the two that are considered to produce the finest eau-de-vie are named Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.

Alcohol Content

Cognac and Bourbon are both bottled at 40% ABV. Cognac must have an alcohol content of 120 proof after the second distillation, whereas Bourbon must not exceed an alcohol content of 125 proof when placed in barrels.

Which Is Healthier Tequila Or Cognac? Because of the lower sugar and calories in tequila, it is considered healthier than other alcoholic drinks. tequila is produced by baking and heating the plant that produces it, a succulent known as blue Agave (or Agave plant).

Brandy was used as medicine for centuries. However, modern doctors don't suggest it as a cure-all anymore — because it doesn't. Some brandies may share the benefits of red wine. But, like alcohol consumption in general, drinking brandy in excess can quickly become a health problem that far outweighs any benefits.

Cognac – in particular limited editions such as Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl, for example, and older eaux-de-vies – are extremely desirable to collectors. To invest in cognac provides one big advantage over investing in fine wines, in that once it's bottled it doesn't age and generally doesn't spoil.

That $2,100 to $2,500 bottle of Louis XIII now costs $4,200 to $4,500. The cost of a single drink has skyrocketed from about $150 to $500 at some places and $800 at one other. What was once merely ludicrous is now obscene. Let us be clear about what we are talking about here: Cognac is made from grapes.

And unlike tequila, Cognac is barrel-aged for a much, much longer time. Thus, Cognac isn't just expensive to entice status symbol seekers – its high price is justified by its extremely limited production (Cognac makes up less than 1% of the world's spirits by volume!).

All cognacs are brandy, but not all brandies are cognac. Bourbon is a type of whiskey. All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskies are bourbon.

Is cognac sweet or dry? Both and neither. Cognac has many different flavors, it can be dry, sweet, spicy, fruity and bitter, it all depends on which cognac you are enjoying at the time. Younger cognacs tend to be sweeter and older ones dryer and spicier.

Does cognac taste like whiskey? ›

Cognac has a fruity and floral aroma, while whisky often has a smoky or woody scent. The taste of Cognac is typically smooth with hints of vanilla, while whisky can range from sweet to smoky and have notes of spice or caramel.

XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least six years old. Cognacs such as “Napoleon” or “Old Reserve” are equivalent to XO cognac.

Rémy Martin products have pimple like dot codes under the bottle for IS0900 traceability. You can also check the authenticity of a Rémy Martin bottle by scanning the Qr code and in China they have introduced smart bottles that provides the same level of security found in electric passports and bank cards.

VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years.

The Fifth & Liquor Bottle Sizes

People started saying a fifth of liquor because that was the standard bottle size. Liquor was measured in gallons, and one-fifth of a gallon simply became a fifth. In the late 19th century, some stores in the US sold bottles that were called quarts but actually contained less than that.

This means that 12 oz (354ml) of 5% beer contains 0.6 oz (17.7ml) pure alcohol. The vodka shot at 1.5 oz (44ml) has 0.6 oz (17.4ml) of alcohol. When you compare alcohol content, this fairly simple math shows that one regular beer is equal to one shot.

Although jiggers and shot glasses are often the same size in terms of volume of alcohol, there are a few key differences between the two: Usage: A jigger is a measuring tool, and a shot glass typically refers to small glassware for serving alcohol. Volume: The standard shot and jigger volume is one and a half ounces.

It is the youngest of the portfolio, and the least expensive (though still a mid-range, premium price for liquor), making it an excellent everyday cognac. Hennessy V.S is worthy of mixing into almost any brandy cocktail you could think of and is fantastic on its own or over ice.

Remy Martin, the luxury brand, is synonymous with fine Champagne. The company produces more than 80% of all fine Champagne cognacs sold in the United States. Fine Champagne is produced by grape varieties grown in the Champagne region between the Grande and Petite Champagne crus.

Hennessy's XO cognac is the original example of the category, and a fine one at that: It's flavorful and oaky but not overly tannic or astringent, making it an excellent sipping option for cognac novices. However, you can find better XOs at a cheaper price.

What race drinks the most Hennessy? ›

Like all Black people drink Hennessy the most. But I don't know of anybody having any big stock in it,” says Jazmine Dailey, co-owner of Halftime Sports Bar, a Black-owned establishment in Oakland, California. “When D'usse came out, a lot of people were supporting it because of Jay-Z.

The age of a Cognac is the first key to determining a good drop, and it only can be aged in French oak barrels which helps to add its diversity of flavours. Think colours and aromas of caramel, toffee, leather and a warm spice blend which are produced from these special oak vessels.

The designations you see on Cognac labels—VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and XO (Extra Old)—are a guarantee of how long a Cognac has been aged. VS indicates that the Cognac has been aged at least two years, VSOP at least four years and XO (Extra Old) at least six years.

Crown Royal and Hennessy have a lot of similarities even though they are completely different types of liquor. They are both fermented and high-proof distilled alcohols even though they are made with unrelated ingredients.

Cognac is prized for its smooth and soft character and the high quality grapes it's distilled from. "It's an extension of wine, in that you can still taste the grape in it. Other types of brandy don't always offer a hint of the fruit they're made from," Erickson says.

We suggest a snifter glass for traditional tasting moments, such as after dinner as a digestif, where the cognac is served neat, warmed by the heat of your hands. Over dinner, we recommend enjoying cognac neat. “FOR COGNAC ON THE ROCKS, SERVE IN A LARGE TUMBLER GLASS WITH ROOM FOR TWO ICE CUBES.”

While Courvoisier is slightly more affordable, it doesn't really lag in quality. In fact, it's your better choice if you prefer a sweeter cognac to be slightly sweeter. Meanwhile, if you prefer to splurge and go for luxury, Hennessy is your better alternative.

However, once the Cognac comes into contact with the air, it will gradually begin to deteriorate and evaporate. The more air in the bottle, the faster this will happen. Realistically, you can think that it's okay to store an open bottle of Cognac for around six months before this deterioration becomes noticeable.