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).