Rémy’s VSOP is darker and heavier than many of its counterparts, with notes of raisins, dark chocolate and tobacco underpinned by a bit of spicy oak. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. Enjoying a glass after dinner? Louis XIII. In 1817, King George IV asked the House of Hennessy for a "Very Superior Old Pale", ... VSOP Cognac stands for "Very Superior Old Pale" Cognac, which is interesting considering that it comes from France. VSOP Cognac stands for "Very Superior Old Pale" Cognac, which is interesting considering that it comes from France. “Premium VSOP Cognac, aged for a minimum of 4 1⁄2 years in French oak casks. Here's a primer on the liquors. Origins Born in France's prestigious Château de Cognac, D'USSÉ blends more than 200 years of tradition with the inspiration of a passionate Cellar Master. When ordering, you are required to confirm, by accepting the Terms of Sale, that you are over eighteen years of age. Each corresponds to how long the brandy has been aged in oak barrels. Grande Champagne 1er Cru Cognac, Claude Thorin VSOP Grande Champagne 1er Cru Cognac, Ragnaud Sabourin VSOP Alliance No 10 Cognac, Maxime Trijol VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac, Ordonneau Domaine de la Grolette VSOP Ordonneau Cognac. XO, on the other hand, must be aged at least six years, and the final blend often contains much older eaux-de-vie. Part of HuffPost News. The brand… There are zillions (OK, hundreds) of VSOP cognacs out there, but here are five of my favorites, including brands you’ve no doubt tried and maybe one or two you’re not familiar with. In 1817, King George IV asked the House of Hennessy for a "Very Superior Old Pale", which would become a benchmark for all Cognac houses from then on. It’s the most versatile category of cognac, suitable for both mixing and sipping. "It's become known as a symbol of French luxury, the best brandy money can buy (yes, cognac is a brandy). In short, it’s XO (which stands for “extra old”) and VS (”very special”). It’s what Grandpa pours a snifter in the wood-paneled library of his men’s club, and what rappers swig straight from the bottle when they’re onstage. VS must be aged at least two years in Limousin oak; with that little time in wood, the result is often fruit-forward and sweet. The bottle is still gorgeous, however, and the cognac is quite good as well. It makes a terrific mixer — try it in a Sazerac, or better yet, a Dauphine Special, created by Meghan Kelleher at Distilled NY, which switches out the Peychaud bitters, absinthe and simple syrup in the classic drink for cardamom bitters, green Chartreuse and maple syrup. In 1983, following a request by the BNIC (Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac)*, the French government drafted regulations governing the terms used to describe a cognac"s quality. Cognac Expert offers a holistic approach to the world of Cognac. Released in 1927, this classic VSOP is a Fine Champagne Cognac with 55% coming from Grande Champagne. Explore thousands of wines, spirits and beers, and shop online for delivery or pickup in a store near you. On the palate, the same flavors are combined with a hint of vanilla, dried fruit and licorice. Save products on your wishlist to buy them later or share with your friends. To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies and by continuing to use the site you agree that we can save them. Named World's Best Cognac at the World Cognac Awards 2014. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Hold it on the tongue for a while and it grows more tart and spicy, with a long, dry finish that’s almost reminiscent of an XO. To classify as a VSOP brandy, the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend must be at least four years old. Alas, Mr. Z no longer seems to do press for the brand, much to my chagrin. This cognac has notes of … Shop for more than 1000 products online from hundreds of Cognac brands, whilst also exploring the culture of Cognac through our blog and community pages. But many Cognac and Armagnac houses will age well beyond set minimums, meaning quality can vary. Old and pale refers to a Cognac mature in age but not colored or sweetened for that special aroma, one of superior quality. Villon is made from an original recipe created by our French distillery: VSOP and XO Cognac, an exquisite blend of spirits distilled from French wheat, and natural flavors that beautifully complement our Cognac. All cognacs are distilled and aged in the same way, but it’s the length of aging that makes the difference. Pierre Ferrand strives for perfect balance, and this is why deviates from the path of … It’s got a touch of alcoholic heat, especially on the finish, which disappears when it’s used as a mixer. They all have their own distinct flavor profile... and they’re all worth checking out. Just as with the other age descriptions of cognac, VS, VSOP and XO, an XXO Cognac consists of eau-de-vie that’s been aged within French oak barrels. https://vinepair.com/buy-this-booze/20-best-cognacs-price-2019 Alcohol abuse can lead to addiction and health hazards. Find the top 100 most popular items in Amazon Grocery & Gourmet Food Best Sellers. Other brands meeting the AOC criteria for cognac include: Bache-Gabrielsen/Dupuy, Braastad, Camus, La Fontaine de La Pouyade, Château Fontpinot, Delamain, Pierre Ferrand, Frapin, Gautier, Hine, Marcel Ragnaud, Moyet, Otard, Meukow, and Cognac Croizet. Martell Blue Swift. Region: Grande & Petite Champagne, Borderies, & Fins Bois. It’s fruity and a bit on the tart side, with concentrated raisin and citrus notes showing up alongside baking spices and a touch of oak. More information can be found in our privacy . Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. Hennessy actually considers itself to be the originator of VSOP cognac; in 1817, the Prince of Wales (who would later become King George IV) requested from them a “very special old pale” cognac, and a new category was born. This VSOP offering from Courvoisier is a Fine Champagne Cognac meaning it is comprised of the top two sub-regions in Cognac: Grande Champagne (at least 50% of the blend) and Petite Champagne. Shop our wide selection of over 3,000 types of liquor at the lowest prices. Charles Walhingford gives his top three over preforming VSOP cognacs. Shop ABK6 VSOP Cognac at the best prices. Buy from local experts & a family-run company, Secure checkout & high security standards. The next age levels are XO Cognac and Napoleon Cognac. Branson Cognac VSOP | 50 Cent Cognac Tasting Notes. Founded in 1724, the top cognac house straddles a full spectrum of ages and prices. Cognac VSOP V.S.O.P. Created from Eaux-de-Vie grown in the premier terroir of the region, Grande Champagne, this Cognac represents the most exclusive and sublime expression of VSOP. To classify as a VSOP cognac, the … D’USSE has only been around since 2012, but it’s produced by the venerable House of Otard, which dates back 220 years, so it’s not some Jean-come-lately type of thing. At over $4,000 a bottle, … It really comes down to personal preference. at any time. The answer is simple: VSOP. The most dominant names in cognac are Hennessy, Courvoisier, and this one right here: Rémy Martin. The VSOP uses only grapes from the Grande Champagne region, and boasts rich fruity and floral aromas with notes of apple, rose and light orange. Discover the best Brandy in Best Sellers. As a result, the average age of a VSOP is often much older than the minimum requirement of four years. And it’s affordable, too — most VSOPs sell in the $50-60 range, while a good XO can go for a few hundred (to say nothing of the thousands of dollars the rarest XOs will run you). It’s a dry, spicy spirit to sip and contemplate, and it’s a light, fruity drink to mix into cocktails that will get you effed up. Welcome to our blog, your number one resource for everything Cognac-related. Louis XIII, owned by Rémy Martin, is a truly one-of-a-kind cognac. VSOP: A Guide To The Brandy Alphabet. Not to mention the Sidecar, the signature cognac cocktail. By subscribing, you acknowledge that you will But even in a single cognac, you’ll find a spectrum of flavors that come from the many steps in producing it. Great for sipping, not so great for partying. But in the case of an XXO, the minimum length of aging to qualify is 14 years. Hennessy is the best-selling Cognac brand in the world with steadily rising sales in the U.S. But I also like to taste a bit of the barrel, to get the influence of the wood without having it overwhelm the eau-de-vie entirely. BEST VS COGNAC. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Your guess is as good as mine, but given that they’re one of the biggest brands in cognac (alongside Hennessy and Courvoisier), they certainly have the aged eaux-de-vie on hand. Or, have a look at our list of all Cognacs bottles. Camus isn’t a household name in the cognac world, but it should be. CAMUS BORDERIES ($55). Borderies VSOP is a youthful, vibrant, fruity cognac, with notes of pineapple, orange, apple, coconut, and of course sweet ripe grapes — it’s almost like drinking one of Carmen Miranda’s fruit hats. But if it’s been a while since you’ve had Privilege, it’s worth refreshing your memory. 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