If you’re looking for something truly special, however, the spectacular Hennessy XO x Kim Jones edition will certainly make your drinks cabinet pop. The maison partnered with the Dior artistic director in early 2023 to create a capsule collection featuring two decanters, as well as a pair of sneakers.

Indeed, cognac can be found in just about any liquor or convenience store with a license. However, while the quantity is certainly there, quality is another matter entirely. At Kelt, they believe this influence is crucial to the liquid, which is why the brand takes its barrels on a 90-day sea journey around the world before bottling. Kelt considers this its own essential stage of maturation and means it can offer the original taste of exported cognac. The highly regarded Kelt XO Tour du Monde (Tour of the World) shows there is method in the madness. Due to the slower maturation, the spirit, whilst aged, retains more youthful elements, producing a airy, less evolved and nutty style. Suggested Serve This is Hine’s most entry level Cognac that is blended from more than 15 Cognacs, all more than four years old. NoseMore recently, Martell released an ultra-rare cognac, Assemblage du Lapin, in honor of the Lunar New Year. The special release features the house’s most precious blend, L’Or de Jean Martell 1715, mixed with rare vintage eaux-de-vie that were distilled in past Years of the Rabbit. Having been in the same hands since inception and operating in the same family-owned vineyards, Camus is able to offer a range of extraordinary single-estate cognacs. These cognacs contain grapes grown in the family’s private vineyards, which are cultivated in a sustainable way to ensure the preservation of local flora and fauna.

Cognac is the spirit you should be reaching for and drinking now,” says certified cognac educator Ms. Franky Marshall. That’s, in part, because of its diversity. Made from grapes—primarily high-acid, low-alcohol ugni blanc variety—that are fermented, twice-distilled, and then matured in oak barrels before blending and bottling, this brandy from France’s Cognac region is not just for sipping after dinner by the fire. In fact, it’s one of the widest-ranging spirits categories out there. The family believes cognac should be strong and aromatic, which is reflected in the brand’s powerful blends.The depth of flavor presented in this XO Cognac make it the ideal digestif, served with a cheese course or chocolate orange, the creamy and citrus textures flawlessly contrast the fruity, earthy and sweet notes brought by Hine's Grande Champagne blend.

Camus is one of the few cognac brands to have remained independent since opening in 1863, and it is fiercely proud of it. Having operated with the same philosophy through five generations, Camus offers its band of loyal consumers an unrivaled level of consistency. Our identity is drawn from the heart of two Premier Crus: Grande Champagne & Petite Champagne. Distillation with the lees concentrate the aromas of our white wines tenfold. Light toasted fine-grained wood barrels preserve our cognac's authentic personality that is celebrated around the world. As an XO standard Cognac, it has been matured for at least 10 years in oak barrels in the Jarnac cellar of Hine Cognac. How to enjoy This well-balanced Cognac pairs perfectly with a Havana cigar, but is equally subtle enough to be enjoyed neat. Presentation However if you’re looking for a vintage comparison between Early Landed and Jarnac aged, why not try Hine 1983 Vintage Cognac alongside Hine 1983 Early Landed Vintage Cognac . Hine Triomphe

9. Rémy Martin Accord Royal 1738

Today’s master blender is not thinking about what he wants for his blend but what his successor’s successor might want. As a result, the House of Rémy Martin has been actively working to reduce its environmental impact. It is helping its winegrowers attain High Environmental Value (HEV) certification, which recognizes a holistic approach to air, water, soil and plants. Last year, it reached its goal of having 50% of land HVE-certified, two years ahead of schedule, and is aiming to have 100% certified by 2028. In the simplest terms, cognac is a type of brandy produced using white grapes. Like champagne, a cognac can only be described as such if it is made in the Cognac region, located in France’s southwest. The grape juice is double-distilled in copper stills to produce a young spirit called eau de vie (water of life), which is then aged in oak casks. Those casks must be either brand new (virgin casks) or previously used to age cognac. Compare this with the Scotch whisky industry, which can use casks previously used to age a variety of other spirits, like bourbon or even tequila. Finally, we’d like to clarify that we’ve listed the best cognacs that are easy to find in the list above. After all, Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, and Rémy Martin represent 90% of the market in the USA. Think of the versatility,” says Marshall. “Don’t limit cognac to one time of year. Realize it works in so many different ways. That’s why we taste through different ages and expressions. Maybe use a VS for longer drinks like Highballs, and VSOP in a Sidecar. Think about cognac with food [pungent cheeses, dark chocolate, berries, oysters, and other seafood]." Try storing it in your freezer, where “it gets more viscosity, and the perception of the alcohol is lowered,” suggests Marshall—a great technique for summer. Most of all, be assured, she says, “there is a cognac for every palate." Although the drink itself is over 100 years old, the bottle plays a big part in this cognac’s price. Made with 6,500 diamonds and two precious metals, the bottle is as much a work of art as it is a container.