15 Top Most Popular Cognac Brands in 2023

One of the best things about cognac brands is their blending. These complex yet good complement to traditional cocktails epitomizes luxury and decadence.

Hennessy is one cognac brand that needs no introduction. It’s one of the top-selling brands in the United States. Remy Martin also easily come to mind as it misses well with seafood like oysters, lobster, or sushi.

Cognac brands can be consumed neat during dinner. Or after dinner as a digestive. For a simple, long drink as an aperitif, a lot of people drink cognac with tonic or ginger ale.

Now, let’s go through a list of various cognac brands and why you should give them a spot in your home or restaurant bar.

Check them out!

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Top and Popular of Cognac Brands

The official cognac brands quality grade, according to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), are:

1]. Hennessy

• Age: 255 years
• ABV: 40%
• Average Price: $50 – $3500
• Tastes like: Delicate, Caramel, Nut, Vanilla, and Balanced

Hennessy is the best-selling cognac brand in the US and was the first cognac brand to reach New York. This brand was founded by Richard Hennessy in 1765. 

Although it only produces and supplies around 40% of the world’s cognac, it is the brand with the most global recognition.

The cognac company, a leader in the industry, primarily serves the Charente area.

It includes eco-friendly practices in all its activities. This is one of the most popular cognac brands.

Hennessy XO (Extra Old) was the first-ever XO produced.

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2]. Kelt

• Age: 33 years
• ABV: 40%
• Price Range: $45 – $6638
• Tastes like: Delicate vanilla wood aroma, a hint of port wine, rose and violet, hazelnut, and licorice flavors

Kelt cognacs are created from Ugni Blanc grapes from Grande Champagne and were found in 1987 by Olev Keltes.

As a result, the distillation takes place in copper pot stills and is kept in Limousin oak barrels.

Indeed, this brand’s cognacs have a unique flavor due to ocean aging inspired by early shipping voyages of cognac barrels.

You can actually take it with: Cocktails with brandy and ice, crème de cacao white liqueur, peppermint schnapps, milk, and a peppermint stick. This is one of the finest cognac brands you can find.

3]. Pierre Ferrand

• Age: 32 years
• ABV: 40%
• Price Range: $2.9 – $3000
• Tastes Like: Rich, apple, pear, and balanced flavors

Alexandre Gabriel and Pierre Ferrand founded the company in 1989. Maison Ferrand is another name for Pierre Ferrand.

The cognac brand loves making and maturing excellent Pierre Ferrand cognacs and marketing them globally.

In reality, this brand’s Cognacs are crafted from 100% Grande Champagne grapes grown in the Angeac area.

As a result, this land is part of the ‘Golden Triangle,’ with chalky soils and sloping landscapes.

You can actually take it with: Cocktails with brandy and ice, crème de cacao white liqueur, peppermint schnapps, milk, and a peppermint stick. Consider these brands to be one of the best cognacs ever.

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4]. Hermitage

• Age: 41 years
• ABV: 41%
• Price range: $80 – $7000
• Tastes like: Peppery spice, dried orange peel, marzipan, toasted pineapple flavors, sloes, and rancio

Hermitage cognacs, founded in 1980 by David Baker, produce one of the world’s greatest cognacs.

Unlike other brands, it is with unique distillation qualities and long, careful aging in wood barrels from a single estate producer.

Hermitage, on the other hand, is a high-end cognac brand. It produces fewer items than other brands.

Hermitage is a young cognac company that conducts research to discover small cognac distillers to expand their product line.

Finally, the business aims to provide goods free of chemicals and caramel coloring.

You can actually take it with: Cocktails with brandy and ice, crème de cacao white liqueur, peppermint schnapps, milk, and a peppermint stick. These are good cognac brands.

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5].  Francois Voyer

• Age: 60 years
• ABV: 43%
• Price Range: $39.96-$239.76
• Tastes like: Sweet and floral nose with scents of vanilla, lime, and white flowers

The François Voyer VS Cognac is one of the top choices for those who are looking to step inside the world of Cognac – particularly Cognac from the Grande Champagne terroir.

The palate is delicate and fruity, with fresh notes of peach mingled with rich dried apricot.

The François Voyer VS, or Very Special, is mature for at least two years in virgin Limousin oak barrels.

So, the use of just Ugni Blanc grapes from the Grande Champagne region results in a wine with extreme fineness and a strong floral fragrance.

However, in 2013, Wine Enthusiast magazine gave it a respectable score of 89/100, describing it as a “mouthwatering and sippable” VS.

6]. Frapin

• Age: 751 years
• Year of Establishment: 1270
• Founder: Frapin family
• Price range: $60 – $4000

Frapin is the only cognac company that manufactures every bottle of cognac solely on the family land.

They also hold a single vineyard estate of 240 hectares in Grande Champagne.

The firm still uses the same growing and production processes as it did when it first started.

The Master Distillers make cognacs for the brand, following which the cognac is matured in a series of barrels.

The storage warehouse has two floors that allow for two possible atmospheric conditions. These brands of cognac are finely selected.

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7]. Bache-Gabrielsen

• Age: 117 years
• Price range: $29-$119.99
• ABV: 40%
• Tastes like: Apple, plum, flowers, and cinnamon flavors

Bache-Gabrielsen is a medium-sized fourth-generation family business.

Thomas Bache-Gabrielsen founded the cognac brand in 1905, and it now has a large fan base.

Bache-Gabrielsen, on the other hand, is now one of Norway’s best-selling cognac brands, selling over a million bottles each year.

This popular cognac is made from a combination of ugni blanc grapes from the crus of Fins Bois, Petite Champagne, and Grande Champagne.

Try it with grapefruit soda, sparkling cider or wine, tonic water, or sparkling cider.

8]. Meukow

• Age: 160 years
• ABV: 40%
• Price range: $9.99 – $13,969
• Tastes like: Fruity sweetness with a hint of dark chocolate.

Meukow is a Russian brand of cognac. Due to the unusual bottle appearance, it is referred to as ‘Jaguar Liquor’ or ‘Panther Liquor.’

Christopher and Gustav Meukow developed this famous cognac brand in 1862.

Meukow has won the Pack d’Or twice for its unusual Feline bottle. That represents strength, grace, and suppleness.

Meukow Cognac brands have unique tastes like oak, fruit, and nuts. 

Every bottle of cognac for the brand also has the house’s first emblem – the floral hand and the panther.

It also goes well with key limes, cane sugar, and crushed ice.

9]. Camus

• Age: 159 years
• AVP: 40%
• Prices range: $60 – $550
• Tastes like: In the nose, there are floral notes of iris, white blossoms, and hawthorn.

Camus, which was founded in 1863, combines historic knowledge and skill with scientific progress to make more intense and excellent cognacs.

They do, however, have vineyards where they make the Broderies series of single-estate blends.

Its grapes are from Ile-de-Re, a little island off the coast of La Rochelle that has a more ‘maritime’ flavor.

However, to introduce new tastes, the business ages its cognacs in Tawny Port barrels.

Try it with: Drink it directly, with or without ice, or long with tonic or green tea.

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10]. Courvoisier

Age: 186 years
ABV: 40%
Prices range: $35 – $410
Tastes like: Delicate, caramel, nut, and balanced flavors

Courvoisier, founded in 1835 by Felix Courvoisier, is the only cognac brand that controls the whole cognac production process – from vine to glass.

As a result, fruits from approximately 800 grape producers in Grande and Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois are used in this cognac brand.

Finally, the wine is distilled on the lees, and the Eaux-de-vie is aged in hand-crafted barrels built from 200-year-old oak trees. These are cheap brands.

11]. Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP Cognac Brands

• Age: 200 years
• Average Price: $30.99
• ABV: 40%
• Tastes like: Apple pie, roasted peach, spiced tea, and Speculoos biscuits are among the flavors.

Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP cognac has held a prominent position in the market since 1819.

Indeed, Bisquit & Dubouche provides a deep and emotive bouquet of tastes of ripe fruits, honey, and sweet spice notes highlighted with floral accents.

This warm cognac offers large, rich, and ripe fruit flavors with silky notes of honeysuckle, lemon, and mango.

It goes well with cocktails and on the rocks.

12]. Hine Cognac Brands

• Age: 258 years
• ABV: 40%
• Price Range: $55 – $660
• Tastes like: Apricots, white pepper, and flowers are some of the flavors.

The House of Hine operates on the basic principle or principle that great cognacs cannot exist without outstanding white wine. As a result, the brand’s name is derived from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.

Hine cognacs are made using vintage crus that capture the originality of the year. This unique combination of vintages and crus is critical to achieving the ideal balance of stability and excellence.

Try it with: a dash of chilled tonic, cider, or ginger ale and a twist of lime, cucumber, or rosemary on top.

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13]. Remy Martin

• Age: 300 years
• ABV: 40%
• Price range: $50 – $35,000
• Tastes like: Sweet flavors of toffee and vanilla with a burst of dry fruit

Remy Martin is one of the largest cognac manufacturers in the world and the only cognac firm started by a winemaker.

The wine is distilled on the lees in tiny copper stills using the traditional process.

E.Remy Martin developed the well-known cognac brand in 1724.

The Remy Martin Louis XVIII cognac is made from grapes aged 50-100 years in the Grande Champagne area and comes in a 3-liter bottle.

Remy Martin VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is the world’s best-selling VSOP and a French Appellation d’Origine Controlee.

Try it with fatty cheese, dried apricots, licorice, ginger, pepper, and lemon.

14]. Croizet Cognac Brands

• Age: 400 years
• ABV: 40%
• Average Price: $90
• Tastes like: Round, crisp, and fruity with a medium body. A luscious chocolate ganache finish follows warm butterscotch and leather.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Croizet cognac is the attractive bottles.

Simon Croizet founded his cognac company in 1805 after a career in winemaking in Grande Champagne. He was also the sommelier of Napoleon I’s High Command.

The brand has an amazing history and an award-winning collection after more than 210 years.

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15]. Naud Cognac Brands

 

• Alcohol Content: 40%
• Year Founded: 1923
• Founder/Owner: Emile Perrier
• Headquarters Address: Cognac, France

Since 2013, the Naud house has been creating cognacs, and their commitment to its origins has made us fall in love with the brand.

Their delectable bottles strike the ideal mix between classic blends and current refinement.

The majority of Naud’s expressions are complex and excellent, with delectable peach aromas and a slight oak finish.

They received several accolades in 2017 from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Awards and the International Spirits Challenge.

The Naud VSOP Cognac is our favorite expression from the brand.

What is Cognac?

Cognac is a kind of brandy, technically. You might be wondering what it means. This indicates that the alcohol is made by distilling wine and then maturing it in oak barrels for at least two years.

It is referred to by the French as “eau de vie,” which means “water of life” in English. It is a fruit brandy that is prepared by twice distilling white grapes and fermenting them.

Due to the obvious unique grapes that grow in the Cognac region on their unique soil, cognac can only be got in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.

However, they cannot manufacture cognac elsewhere in the world, although brandy can, which causes its price to be much greater than brandy.

Therefore, the expert in cognac can clearly taste the difference and is willing to pay more for higher quality.

How Did Cognac Brands Get its Start as a Drink?

The creation of the cognac has a fascinating history.

The Cognac Brand’s history began in the 16th century when some Dutch immigrants visited the French province of Cognac to buy wine, timber, and salt.

When they got home, they had trouble keeping the wine fresh, so they distilled it into eau-de-vie.

Even if the procedure was effective, more distillation was necessary.

The wine tasted better, more refined, and more pleasurable after the second distillation, which led to the creation of the world-famous cognac.

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What are the Types of Cognac Brands Grade

The following are the types of cognac brands grade:

#1. V.S (Very Special)

VS cognac ages at least two years and is the youngest cognac style. It’s great in cocktails like the sidecar, morning glory, and French 75.

#2. V.S.O.P (Very Superior Old Pale)

In a VSOP blend, the youngest brandy used is at least four years old. You can drink it straight up or add it to your preferred drink.

#3. X.O (Extra Old)

A cognac that is Extra Old is ideal for special occasions. The blend’s youngest component must be at least ten years of age (though until 2018, the rule was a minimum of six years old).

#4. Hords d’age (Beyond Age)

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) classifies this grade as being equivalent to XO. However, manufacturers really use it to denote premium blends that contain ingredients older than the standard age scale.

Indeed, these are ideal for unusual occasions like weddings, historic births, or other big events, but they are usually scarce and more expensive.

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What is the Best Cognac Brand?

Hennessy is a well-known cognac house that requires no introduction; it is also the top-selling brand in the United States.

In FACT, With over 350,000 barrels housed in 65 cellars, Hennessy possesses one of the world’s greatest collections of Eaux-de-vie.

Is Cognac a Whiskey?

The primary distinction between Cognac and Whiskey is that Cognac is created from grapes, whilst Whiskey is made from grain.

Certainly, this grain is blended with water and yeast before being aged in barrels. Cognac is made from fermented grape juice, which is subsequently turned into wine.

Finally, they distill it double times and age it in oak barrels.

Is Cognac the Same as Brandy?

Not all cognacs are brandies, and not all brandies are cognacs.

As previously stated, brandy is distilled fruit juice of any sort, but cognac is a specialized form of distilled fruit juice with several requirements.

Conclusion

Americans are crazy about cognac.

In fact, according to Yahoo Finance, many individuals switched to cognac and champagne during the pandemic.

However, sales of these luxury liquors show no signs of slowing down now that the globe is opening up again.

FAQs

What is the Best Brand Cognac?

Hennessy is a well-known cognac house that requires no introduction

Is Cognac the Same as Brandy?

Not all cognacs are brandies, and not all brandies are cognacs.

Is Cognac a Whiskey?

The primary distinction between Cognac and Whiskey is that Cognac is created from grapes, whilst Whiskey is made from grain.

What does XO Mean in Cognac?

The VSOP category contains terms like “Old” and “Reserve.” XO is an abbreviation for “Extra Old”:

Is Cognac a Healthy Drink?

In moderation, there is scientific evidence that Cognac may be helpful.

Top Most Popular Cognac Brands Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reference

• liquor.com– The 13 Best Cognacs to Drink in 2023

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