Cognac

[DanB6177]

Great info much appreciated. Good to know whats what. Thats what I think I will do, wait to buy a bottle until ive tried them in singles. Or I may just get a bottle of one of the ones you guys mentioned.Thanx

[ggiese]

So I'm experimenting for Dan, pairing the Trader Joe's Claude Chatelier Cognac with a FF Opus X Losy City Lancero. The Cognac was priced at $21.99 - right in Dan's price range and by all other measures, should be a decent cognac for the price (I'm generally impressed with the Trader Joe's exclusive brands - they tend to be reasonably priced, and of good quality).

This Cognac is of good quality - it is not a Brandy, but truly a Cognac (Brandy being produced anywhere, while Cognac being produced only in certain areas of France). It compares very well to other VS Cognacs I've had, but is definitely not aged as well as I like. It has a distinct spiciness to it owing to it's youth - Yet a complexity that I did not expect from such a young Cognac. I just wish it was not so young to really enjoy the complexity of the Cognac (to CC86's point about not drinking a cognac of less than at least a VSOP or XO. Likely if this Cognac was well aged, it would be exceptional.

There is a sweetness to it, but it is not overly sweet, and in fact it finishes pretty dry. There is a bit of a smokiness that is pairing well with the cigar. The spiciness also goes well with the Opus X - and, in fact, I'm thrilled I'm smoking a cigar that is more full bodied to well compliment the Cognac. I'm picking up hints of vanilla and I can quite put my finger on the specific flavors, but there is a bit of a buttery richness on the finish.

Bottom line - not an unpleasant experience, but would much have rather enjoyed a VSOP or an XO (or better).

[ggiese]

In retrospect - after having my cigar with this cognac - I found I enjoyed the cigar much more than the cognac... A great cigar with a decent Cognac. I would have liked to enjoy both equally. Says something about what pairings you should create- and choose a bit more mediocre cigar with a lesser aged spirit.

I also think they should license the sale of amplifiers. I'm sure the garage band in my neighborhood believes they're really rocking the world - but the vocals are leaving a lot to be desired. I'm hearing applause, but I have to believe it's really their audience encouraging them to wrap it up. I strangely feel compelled to invest in some voice lessons for their band.

Oh, crap... Now my cats and dog are harmonizing with them.

[DanB6177]

Thanx ggiese for the experiment. Been talking to a few guys I work with that enjoy cognac and have some good tips. Found a cigar bar that has VSOP and XO so popping in there hopefully this week. I wanted to try it at home ( I really dont go to bars often) but liquor stores dont sell it by the glass lol. But I think now i wanna try the lost city instead of the cognac

[illilli]

But I think now i wanna try the lost city instead of the cognac

You seem to have your priorities straight!

[DanB6177]

Finally tried some cognac. Bought a small bottle of Courvoisier VSOP. Ok so I drank it neat at room temp. It tasted pretty much like a bourbon whiskey ish liquor. Not saying I didnt like it but it wasnt great for me. I have heard that room temp isnt warm enough to bring out the real flavor and it should be warmed more with heat from your hand ? Not sure if thats true or if I would enjoy more it another way?

[Eville]

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that permits you to receive liquor via mail, there are several websites that offer smaller samples of fine liquors. Could be something to check out rather than buying a full sized bottle. http://www.masterofmalt.com/samples/cognac-samples/

[ggiese]

Finally tried some cognac. Bought a small bottle of Courvoisier VSOP. Ok so I drank it neat at room temp. It tasted pretty much like a bourbon whiskey ish liquor. Not saying I didnt like it but it wasnt great for me. I have heard that room temp isnt warm enough to bring out the real flavor and it should be warmed more with heat from your hand ? Not sure if thats true or if I would enjoy more it another way?

I hear what you say about cognac - and it does have a whiskey-ish taste to it - but I suggest to you the reason why cognac is so popular is because it is unusually complex.

That's the funny thing about drinking straight up spirits (versus making a mixed drink) - you find yourself trying to categorize it in terms of what you already know (e.g. "much like bourbon whiskey ish liquor"). I found this incredible whiskey called "Angels Envy" - one is port finished bourbon, the other is rum finished rye. I would say the appeal to me is its complexity (thinking beyond that it tastes much like whiskey or bourbon).

Cognac - much like single malt whiskey - or a fine wine - really is more about contemplating the experience of drinking the beverage, versus slugging down a shot. What warming it up with your hands does it to better bring out the aromas in the cognac and (hopefully) create a better experience. it doesn't really change the taste, per se, it more changes the experience (taste and smell are two components of that experience, and combine to create the experience). The experience of drinking cognac can also be very affected by the situation (e.g. quiet, relaxing time versus sitting in a crowded bar watching a ball game)

And for me - the more harmonious the complexity of that spirit is (e.g. sensing notes of chocolate and vanilla and leather and citrus, etc.) - the more I enjoy the experience of drinking it. As someone suggested in another thread about smoking cigars - enjoying a glass of cognac for me is like having a great slice of apple pie with a nice cuppa coffee...