Giving alcoholic drinks as a gift has become a good tradition these days. High-quality and elite alcohol does not lead to drunkenness. It warms the soul, liberates the body and encourages good and friendly conversation. In this article we will talk about strong alcoholic drinks - about cognacs And whiskey.
Undoubtedly, the presentation of such a gift deserves special attention and it is necessary to first become familiar with the taste preferences of the person to whom the gift is intended.
Usually cognac or whiskey is given to men, after all, such drinks should be drunk slowly, delving into each sip, looking at the oily stems flowing down the walls of the glass. They are complemented by a fragrant Cuban or Dominican cigar. Modern emancipation has led to the fact that some women are also not averse to eating delicious food and joining the club of strong alcohol lovers. Therefore, women can also be given such gifts!
You can buy good cognac or whiskey as a gift at any chain hypermarket or wine boutique, or order it in an online store.
Attention: Quality and age dictate the price, and not the other way around, and this is the golden rule when buying alcohol as a gift.
An inexperienced beginner will need a kind of guide to the sea of cognac and whiskey. The advice of a professional sommelier will become just such a navigator today. Well, friends, are you ready to set sail? Today the weather is calm and no storms are expected.
Cognac theme. Attention, there may be pitfalls!
Do not rush to immediately go to the shelves and display cases where imported products are displayed. Russian producers also know how to make high-quality cognacs, which you wouldn’t be ashamed to present as a gift to the most respected person. In addition, domestic cognac emphasizes true patriotism and national priorities.
The sales leaders among all cognac factories in the Russian Federation are the factories of sunny Dagestan, namely Kizlyar and Derbent. Here I would like to make a small clarification: in Dagestan there are a lot of small enterprises producing cognac, since this is considered a matter of honor for the horseman and only lazy people do not produce cognac there. That is why it is quite possible to make a mistake and instead of Lezginka buy Lezginochka or something more or less visually close to it. In an effort to conquer the market, many manufacturers create labels for their products that mislead consumers. This is an outright falsification.
Read the label carefully, and even more carefully the back label. Seek reliable information.
In addition to the name, look at the quality of the label's printing: it should be bright, even, and shiny. A good label is glued on with high quality and has no adhesive smudges, roughness or folds. Be sure to check the closure of the product: the heat-shrinkable cap should not rotate, and there should be a cork stopper underneath it.
Visually evaluate the product you have chosen. Factories with a century-old history are very meticulous about the appearance of their products; they will not allow any flaws. If anything is in doubt, it is better to refrain from purchasing – Do not buy this cognac for yourself, much less as a gift for the hero of the occasion.
Attention: active falsification is aimed at the category of the best-selling goods in the low and medium price categories. More valuable and aged, expensive and less sold cognacs are not adulterated, since it is unprofitable!
What do the stars and letters tell you?
Many people know that domestic cognacs are marked on the labels with asterisks or letters. Three stars is the least aged cognac and it is completely inappropriate to present it. Five stars is a more seasoned product, but again it’s a bit of a stretch for a gift. These are all ordinary cognacs, and they do not deserve special attention. Save them for a friendly feast and move on to the next shelf.
Pay attention to the cognac abbreviation KVVK, KS or OS. Such cognacs are called vintage and collection. They will delight the recipient with their full-bodied taste and aroma.
For information: mature, old cognacs always come in a gift box, while cheaper ones – without it. Great cognacs are beautiful in form and content, so the bottle must be beautiful.
Decoding
KVVK– aged cognac, of the highest quality, it contains cognac spirits in its blend at least 8 years old.
KS– translated as old cognac. It is created from cognac spirits having aging in oak for 10 years or more.
OS– the cognac is very old. A real crowning achievement of winemakers. The best spirits and the best oak are used to create it. It is aged for 20 years or more.
One more tip. Before you go shopping, go to the official websites of the factories. Check out the range on offer. Study information about the product and its price, see how it looks visually.
Cognacs of Dagestan – Caspian soul of Russia
1. Noble cognac “Russia”
The first contender for the hand and heart for a gift or presentation is the noble cognac “Russia” produced by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise. It is aged in oak barrels for at least 15 years and has a soft taste with pronounced tones of aging in oak. The flavor balance is spicy and fruity. It is considered the official cognac of the Kremlin.
The average price is around 4,250 rubles per 0.7 liter.
2. Cognac "Peter the Great » – Russian tradition
Empire
It will be one of the best gifts for a man who appreciates the traditions and richness of Russian history. Cognac “Peter the Great” is aged for 25 years.
The aroma is complex, you can find the smell of vanilla and leather. The taste is raisin and almond, and the aftertaste is long and elegant.
Price – from 5,000 rubles per 0.7 liter.
3. Cognac in souvenir porcelain from Kizlyar
The FSUE plant is perhaps one of the few that offers porcelain souvenir products to the market. Cognac KS shtof "Eagle" has at least 15 years of aging and has the aroma of meadow grass and tones of pine needles, combines a balance of spices and a fruity aroma. Soft and harmonious in taste, “Eagle” will be a wonderful gift. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy such a gift in a regular store - this rare product requires pre-order.
Priced at 6,000 rubles for exclusivity.
4. Senator cognac – well-deserved respect
The second leader in the cognac market among domestic producers is undoubtedly the Derbent plant. For complete information, the label should say Derbent Cognac Factory JSC. As a gift from this manufacturer you can offer Senator cognac in a crystal decanter, which is produced from oak-aged cognac spirits for more than 10 years. The aroma is complex with tones of vanilla and chocolate. The taste is mild. The aftertaste is harmonious and round. The product has been awarded gold medals. Available in gift packaging.
Price – from 6,100 rubles.
5. Cognac “President” – no comments needed
Cognac "President" with 30 years of aging speaks for itself. Very old cognac in a crystal decanter. It has a full flavor and a buttery body. The blue silk of the gift wrapping elegantly combines with the golden coat of arms of the Russian Empire.
Very expensive cognac! Estimated at 30,000 rubles.
For information to the buyer: if collectible cognacs may seem too expensive and unaffordable, and ordinary ones are not suitable as a gift, then feel free to buy vintage cognacs. They are not particularly expensive, but the quality is high.
Armenian sun in a cognac glass
Following Russian cognacs are Armenian cognacs. But not all the gold that came down from Mount Ararat. Supermarket shelves are full of offerings of cognac from Armenian producers, and most often its cheap versions are presented in frosted bottles.
The YKZ (Yerevan Brandy Factory) has been and remains a classic of the genre, dating back to 1887, which to this day has not lost its age-old traditions. Skipping ordinary star cognacs, start your choice with cognacs aged 10-15 years.
6. Cognac “Vaspurakan” – a legend of Armenia
A win-win solution as a gift could be “Vaspurakan” - this is a 15-year-old cognac,having its own individual character. This is a fairly old cognac, it has a harmonious bouquet with woody notes that complement the spicy and coffee aromas. The soft and delicate taste of “Vaspurakan” will undoubtedly appeal to even a connoisseur and gourmet.
Price – from 4,200 rubles.
7. Cognac “Noah” – song of the Caucasus
Literally across the road from the YBC there is the no less famous Yerevan Brandy, Wine and Vodka Factory, which produces the popular Noy cognac. It is represented on the alcohol market with a wide range of cognacs, among which any consumer can find an option suitable for price and quality. An excellent gift is Noah Classic, 20 years old in oak. The recipient will feel notes of dark chocolate, almonds and vanilla, as well as southern dried fruits in its taste. It is distinguished by velvety softness, purity of taste and a slightly tart aftertaste.
Price for 0.5 liters – from 4,200 rubles.
French cognac – on the crest of a wave
In a sea of cognac, France rules the roost. She has been the undisputed leader and progenitor of cognac production for many thousands of years. It is on its unique soils that the best white Ugni Blanc grapes grow, which are able to give the world the splendor of this drink. Cognac is born in the region of the same name, in the Charente department. The drink of royalty and emperors, knights and midshipmen, it makes anyone who touches it fall in love with it from the first sip.
Interesting fact:
Cognac production in France is strictly regulated by the state. Even a small drop of a drink that goes against the legal regulations, technology or blend can significantly affect the name of a particular manufacturer, among whom there is fierce competition and they value their reputation very much.
8. French cognacs are the best choice
Any cognac produced in the Cognac region (a French city in the Charente department) is a guaranteed quality product.
Let's name five great cognac houses, any of which can take first place:
- Popular Hennessy,
- Chic Martel,
- Aristocratic Otard,
- Noble Courvoisier,
- Harmonious Remy Martin.
All of them deserve attention and any of them can give true pleasure.
In fact, there are many more producers in the Charente region and they all keep the recipe for the blend of their drink strictly secret. Whatever French cognac you buy as a gift, know that in your hands is true gold with a centuries-old history, which you are not ashamed to give to a respected person.
As in the case of Russian and Armenian versions, the best examples of the creation are French cognacs of the X.O categories. (Extra Old), Extra, Gold Reserve, Napoleon. Before appearing to the world in all its glory, they mature in the best oak barrels for an average of 20 years. That is why their taste is so mature, round, oily, rich, soft, and does not burn the taste buds. In old cognacs, the smell of alcohol is practically absent; they capture the aromas of heather honey and oak bark, and their taste contains the sweetness of dried fruit and vanilla notes. An incredible number of epithets describe this drink: divine, elegant, refined, soft, round, full-bodied. Real cognac is a magical melody that you want to listen to endlessly!
Of course, such masterpieces cannot be cheap. Their market price is on average 10 thousand rubles. Not every Russian has the opportunity to spend that amount on a gift. In this case, you can consider the cognac category V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) – the cost of a bottle of this product will be half as much.
Interesting fact:
The shorter the aging of cognac, the sharper and harsher the taste of the drink. Cognac is a living organism; it must ripen, mature and gain intelligence and strength in the process of aging and communicating with oak. It would be stupid to ask a baby to solve complex math problems... wouldn't it?
Whiskey is a drink for the elite
Cognac as a gift is undeniably the most popular option, but many men (less often women) prefer to drink whiskey. Whiskey is a strong alcoholic drink produced using a special technology from fermented grain wort and malt. It can be different in its quality, origin and preparation technology: it can be aged for a long time in an oak barrel and completely young, blended and single malt. Living water is the second name that strong whiskey deservedly received. A healing and warming sip of quality whiskey can work wonders, revitalize and invigorate any body.
However, in order to understand which whiskey to choose for a gift, you need to understand at least a little about the process of its production. No matter how sad it may sound, not everything is whiskey that is written on the label.
Whiskey is produced in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, America and Japan. They differ from each other in their taste and aroma.
The lowest level of whiskey production is straight and blended whiskey, which is mainly used for making cocktails. This whiskey has a harsh taste. Rarely does anyone like drinking it in its pure form, and diluting it with Coca-Cola is not a rule of good manners.
If you want to purchase true quality as a gift, then hurry away from the shelves with yellow promotional price tags. Three for the price of two is not your option today. Look for a more aged product, or better yet, a single malt. And so that the price does not scare you, stock up on fortitude and a couple of respectable bills.
It is believed that understanding the drinking and taste of whiskey comes with age and it takes some time to understand it. A particularly aged whiskey should be given to a mature person who already knows a lot about drinking whiskey and is able to appreciate its quality, while a less aged whiskey is quite suitable for a young person who is just starting his journey in the sea of elite alcohol.
Blended Johnny is a master of his craft
The most popular whiskey brand in the world is Johnny Walker. On store shelves it is presented in various options from the most ordinary to a real creation. The Johnny Walker red label is considered the simplest gift option. EIts taste is too simple and does not have much zest. It is aged for 3 to 5 years in an oak barrel. According to the classification, it belongs to young varieties of whiskey. The price for 0.7 liters in gift packaging is around 1,700 rubles.
9. Johnny Walker Whiskey – gold label
There are more expensive varieties of "Johnny Walker", such as gold label. This whiskey is aged in oak for at least 18 years, and the product is blended. The price of such a drink is an order of magnitude higher than the previous one - it ranges from 5,900 rubles per bottle in gift wrapping. Its juicy taste reveals vanilla, spices, almonds and honey aroma. When consumed, it reveals itself as oily and velvety, which is especially appreciated by true gourmets.
10. Johnny Walker Whiskey – black label
Intermediate between the red and gold label is the blended "Johnny Walker" in black label. 12 years of aging in oak gave this drink an excellent balanced taste. It contains aromas of citrus and raisin, malt, peat and smoky. This whiskey will be a good gift for those who do not smoke cigars, but prefer to drink whiskey with cola and ice.
The price is approximately 2,400 rubles.
Single malt whiskeys - the crown of creations
But all these are just the buds of distillery craftsmanship; the real berries are single malt whiskey. Its taste is truly unique and cannot be compared with any other drink. It belongs to the category of elite alcohol. Whiskey labeled “single malt” is produced in the UK, France, and Japan, O However, the palm remains with the stubborn Scots.
Its difference from blended is that it is produced at a single distillery, and only the best malted barley and crystal clear water are used in its production. It does not contain other grain impurities in its composition. Single malt whiskey is pure gold and the pride of Scottish distilleries.
We bring to your attention the most common brands of single malt, aged whiskey, which are ideal as a gift and will leave an indelible mark on the taste buds of the hero of the occasion.
11. Glenfiddich whiskey - a gift in the theme
The hit parade opens with the incomparable Glenfiddich, aged in American and European oak for 12 years. Its amber color and rounded taste contain woody notes and aromas of vanilla and honey, while its sweet aftertaste reveals pear and chocolate. Available for sale in a gift tube.
The price for 0.75 liters varies within 4,000 rubles.
12. Glenlivet Whiskey – meaningful
gentleman
Following him is his older compatriot - single malt Glenlivet (Glenlivet) with 15 years of aging. It matures in French oak and has an old gold color. The taste is sweet and velvety. In its content, the main violin is played by a rich creamy aroma with notes of nuts, citrus fruits and flowers. The aftertaste is noble.
The cost of such a gift is from 5,600 rubles per 0.7 liter.
13. Laphroaig Whiskey – a gift not for the faint of heart
At the top of today's podium is the undisputed leader - the magnificent 18-year-old strong Laphroaig. Chocolate and nutty, sweet and caramel, peated Laphroaig is such a rich and full-bodied whiskey that we can talk about it forever, as long as its long and balanced aftertaste lasts.
Price for 0.7 liters – from 9,400 rubles.
This gift is ideal for a true whiskey connoisseur. For beginners, its taste may seem too complex, because drinking single malt whiskey is a special art!
Finally
Of course, the world market for the production of cognac and whiskey is so large and extensive that it is simply impossible to cover it in one article. But when choosing alcohol as a gift, it is not at all necessary to have a special education as a sommelier, because with the desire, each person is able to self-learn and improve in this area, and then reap the beneficial fruits of their labor.
To enjoy the taste of cognac, you don’t have to spend several thousand Russian or American rubles. We bring to your attention a selection of cognacs that differ in price up to 1000 rubles and have positive consumer reviews.
Ararat 3 and 5 stars
Let's start with one of the best representatives of the category under 1000 rubles. Graduate of the Yerevan Brandy Factory - Ararat. Fans say that the 5-star Ararat is not inferior in taste to the famous Hennessy. Well, the 3-star Ararat is not particularly inferior in taste to its 5-star brother, so without any doubt you can take both varieties.
Price per 5 stars approximately 1000 RUR . price for 3 stars approximately 750 rub.
Lezginka
Kizlyar cognac with a pronounced chocolate flavor. It is almost impossible to purchase a fake of this cognac, as it has several levels of protection. Aging 6 years. Cost about 900 rub.
Old Kheti 3-7 stars
Cognac has a bright aroma and is easy to drink despite its strength. The quality of the drink increases with its age and price. Dearest, 7 year old Kheti can be purchased for only 1000 rubles.
White stork 
The pride of Moldovan producers, White Stork cognac has been known to residents of the post-Soviet space for a very long time. Loved cognac for its affordable price price, about 500 rub. light and noble taste.
Of course, the above cognacs are not vintage French or 20-year-old Armenian drinks. But by purchasing them you can be sure of a pleasant taste, tested over decades and confirmed by the opinion of lovers of this noble drink.
Your AlcoHacker
More articles about cognac:
From the point of view of a winemaker-technologist, cognac is grape alcohol obtained by double distillation and aged in oak containers for at least two years. If you came to the store for this drink and stood indecisively in front of a huge display case, not knowing which cognac is best to buy, remember our tips, perhaps they will help you make the right choice.
How to choose a good and high-quality cognac
From the point of view of international law, only a drink produced in France can be called cognac, and not throughout its entire territory, but only in the Charente department. Any other strong alcoholic drink that has almost the same taste as true cognac and made using the same technology, but in a different area, should be called brandy.
French cognac
The most famous producers of French cognac are the cognac houses of Remy Martin, Martell, Hennessy, Godet and Courvoisier. The main raw material for the production of French cognac is white grapes of the Trebbiano variety; in addition, they also use the Montil, Colombard and Folle Blanche varieties, which are more capricious, but the alcohols obtained from them have a special aroma.
Classification of French cognacs
Cognac is classified according to its aging period. In order for cognac spirit to be called cognac, it must be in oak barrels for at least two years. The maximum age of cognac is not limited by the standard. It is believed that the older the cognac, the better it is and the more expensive it is. The advantages of young cognac include its relatively low cost.
How to find out the name of the manufacturer and the age of cognac
Pay attention to the label pasted on the bottle - the following details must be indicated on it: the name of the drink and its strength, the capacity of the bottle, the address and name of the manufacturer, the place of production and a special letter designation of the age of the cognac.
How is the letter designation of the age of cognac deciphered?
- V.S. - aging time from two to three years;
- Superior - aging from three to four years;
- V.S.O.P. - aging period from four to five years;
- V.V.S.O.P. - from five to six years;
- X.O., or the word Napoleon or Royal - cognac over six years old.
Previously, all brandy produced in the Soviet Union was called cognac; this tradition is still preserved in most countries that were formerly part of the USSR. It should be said that that former Soviet cognac, produced in accordance with the strict old GOST, had an excellent taste and could easily compete with French. At that time, cognac was produced in many republics, Georgian cognac, Moldavian cognac “White Stork” and Crimean cognac from the Koktebel winery were especially popular. Armenian cognac was rightfully considered the best cognac. If you believe the legends, it was the Armenian cognac “Dvin” that Sir Winston Churchill loved to drink, who, as you understand, could afford even the most expensive French cognac.
Classification of cognac in accordance with GOST
In accordance with the standards, cognac, depending on the period of its aging, is divided into:
- ordinary;
- vintage;
- collectible.
Determining the age of cognac
- The age of a vintage cognac can be determined by the number of stars drawn on the label - their number corresponds to the number of years of aging (three stars - three years, five stars - five years).
- Cognac aged for more than five years is called vintage, it already has its own name, and there are letter designations on the bottle.
- If you see the letters KV on the bottle label, this means that the cognac was aged in oak barrels for at least six years (Lezginka, Derbent or Ani cognac).
- In the case when the KVVK marking is applied to the bottle, this means that the cognac is more than eight years old (Yubileiny or Akhtamar cognac).
- The letters KS mean that the cognac is more than ten years old (Prazdnichny, Kizlyar or Rossiya cognac).
- The oldest cognac, which is more than twenty years old, is labeled OS (Yeniseli or Bagration cognac).
If you want to know even more about cognac, read our articles.
“Drink of the gods”, “lion’s milk” - this is how they call cognac. This noble drink is not bought because of the degrees and the effect expected from them. People drink it to first of all enjoy the color, then the smell, then the taste, and only a little later to be wrapped in the warm and cozy trail of cognac. But all of the above applies only to real, good quality drinks. Unfortunately, many distilleries produce products that are not even close to cognac. These varieties of dubious brandies are produced in violation of the original technology. And there are also a lot of fakes that can seriously poison you! And the price per bottle does not at all guarantee that you will buy an authentic product. Which cognac is good and inexpensive, what to choose from the sea of various offers? Read about this in our article.
What is real cognac?
If we are really picky about terminology, this honorary title can only be given to a drink made in the province of Poitou-Charentes, in France. This is what the rules of modern marketing require. The drink, created in neighboring Gascony using a similar technology, is no longer called cognac, but Armagnac. There is also Calvados and other distillates. What distinguishes cognac from brandy is aging. The first one must stand in oak barrels (this is an indispensable condition!) for at least nine years. During this time, some of the alcohols evaporate from the tightly sealed container. Winemakers call it “the angels’ share.” In relation to drinks from Poitou-Charentes, there is no point in asking what kind of cognac is good: there can be no complaints about the quality. Another thing is the price. Think for yourself: elite vineyards with unique soils and a favorable climate, oak barrels, the work of French specialists, an original bottle shape... And if you buy good cognac from France in your native country, then add transport costs, customs duties and store margins to the cost of the product. So you won’t be able to buy an original and high-quality drink inexpensively.
French cognacs are their “clones”
In the Poitou-Charentes region, cognac can be removed from barrels and bottled after two years of aging. Essentially, these cognac spirits are brandy. They are marked with the letters VS. This cognac costs from $30 per bottle. Higher quality (and, accordingly, longer exposure) is the VSOP category. The price for a bottle of this drink starts at fifty dollars. A good cognac from France with the letters XO on the label simply cannot cost less than $120. And this is the price in France, without customs clearance and store markup! If they want to sell you a product cheaper, it is counterfeit. Mostly well-known French brands are counterfeited: Hennessy, Camus, Remy Martin, Martell. These brands account for more than half of world cognac sales. And probably just as many counterfeits. Because all the vineyards in France are not able to satisfy the world community's demand for real cognacs.
How to protect yourself from counterfeits
Buying a low-quality distillate can lead to more serious health consequences than eating a stale dairy product or a fake chocolate bar. Poisoning with ethyl alcohols often leads to death, and therefore you need to be on alert. Even if they sell you the products of the Kizlyar plant as good inexpensive cognac, you will still feel sorry for the money you spent. So, how to distinguish an authentic product from a fake? Reputable manufacturers do not skimp on the original shape of the bottle. What forces them to do this is not an aesthetic sense, but a desire to insure their products against counterfeiting. The simpler the bottle, the greater the likelihood of fraud. The wooden plug on the original product does not rotate. Read the label. The ingredients must be indicated on it: cognac spirits or their blend. No flavorings! Buy distillates only in supermarkets and trusted specialty stores.
Not everyone can afford to pay 800 rubles for a bottle. Then it’s worth considering the options that other producing countries offer us. Anything grown, aged and bottled outside the province of Poitiers-Charentes is no longer considered cognac. But this is by EU standards. But we still have the old Soviet system in place, according to which a good cognac can be called that if it is made using original French technology. It requires the use of grape must (single-varietal or blend) as a raw material and aging in oak barrels. The main producing countries of inexpensive cognacs are Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
How to correctly read the label on cognacs from the CIS
Prices traditionally depend on the number of stars that indicate the year of aging. But these are all ordinary cognacs. A branded product must be designated as KB. This abbreviation stands for “aged cognac” (6-7 years). Above is the category KVVK. The last two letters mean “high quality”. KS - old cognac - is especially valued. It is made from alcohols that are more than ten years old. It's a good cognac, but you can't call it cheap - a collectible OS (very old). This drink has special advantages. It is sold after being bottled for at least five years. Such cognacs are packaged in beautiful boxes or gift tubes. But, in principle, the quality of the product largely depends on the manufacturer.
Armenian cognac: which one is better to choose?
It is immediately necessary to make an introductory note: do not compare the Armenian product with the French one. The cool climate of Charente cannot be compared with the continental and mountainous in Armenia. The sun shines here 300 days a year, and the grapes grow as sweet as dates. The French look for subtle nuances in their cognac, a gradual development of aromas, and an aftertaste. Armenians are a more spontaneous people. They demand richness, temperament, and sparkle from their cognac. There are more than a dozen famous manufacturers in the country. The best Armenian cognac is “Ararat” from the Yerevan plant. Depending on the age (seven or ten years), it costs from thirty to forty dollars per bottle. The products of the Great Valley company are also quite good.
Ukrainian and Moldavian cognacs
The climatic characteristics of Transcarpathia, Crimea, the Northern Black Sea region and Moldova are closer to those of France. But even there, the grapes pick up more sugars than required. But local manufacturers are trying to adhere to technology. And the price on the alcohol market gives this product the green light. A good inexpensive cognac from Ukraine costs from $15. But there are also incomparably cheaper ones (from five dollars per bottle). But ordinary Ukrainian cognacs are of rather low quality. Such manufacturers as “Shabo”, “Galicia”, “Tavriya”, Uzhgorod and Odessa plants have proven themselves well.
What is the best cognac in Moldova? This is a vintage fifteen-year-old “Kvint Tiraspol” - a product of the “KVINT” company. The price for a bottle is about 50 dollars. A cheaper option is the six-year-old Quint Legend. Good cognacs are produced by the Vinaria Bardar, Kalarashi-Divin, Aroma, and Vinimrex factories.
Is it possible to make cognac yourself?
This is a difficult task, but doable. Many self-taught winemakers work with moonshine, “ennobling” it with coffee, caramel and other additives. We offer you the best cognac recipe at home. Of course, this brandy cannot compete with the French product, but still the drink will turn out quite worthy. We will take muscat grapes as raw materials and try to adhere to classical technology.
We separate the unwashed berries from the bunches and crush them. Transfer this slurry to an enamel bowl. Add sugar. The classic proportions are two kilograms of sand per ten liters of crushed berries. Mix, cover with gauze and place in a warm, dark place for a week. From the second day you need to stir the contents several times a day with a wooden stick. Then we drain the wort and squeeze out the pulp. Add sugar again in the same proportions. Pour into glass bottles, filling them 70%. We close them with a water seal and put them in a cool place. When the young wine is ready (in three weeks), we pass it through a moonshine still. Pour out the first 70 ml of the resulting alcohol. Dilute the remaining amount with water (1:1) and run it 2 more times. We infuse the resulting alcohol with a strength of 75 degrees on oak pegs (or in a barrel) for about a year.
Alcohol products are widely represented on the shelves of many stores, ranging from ordinary 24-hour kiosks to large chain hypermarkets; there are also specialized establishments where quite expensive products are presented. The assortment of cognacs can put an unprepared buyer in serious difficulty, especially since there are a lot of counterfeit products on sale. Of course, no one will allow you to try the drink when purchasing, so we tried to collect in our article the most proven recommendations related to the purchase of cognac, so that it is pleasant to drink and not embarrassing to give as a gift. We will start with the rules for choosing this alcohol, and continue with a review of the highest quality brands. Let's get started!
What do you pay attention to when buying cognac?
First of all, keep in mind that to make 1 liter of cognac you need to spend about 10 liters of young wine and several years of time, so a priori the cost of high-quality cognac cannot be too low. If you see a drink on sale whose price is approximately 40% lower than the average, then you should immediately refuse to purchase such cognac.
Another important factor is the aging of cognac. Its age is taken into account as a result of aging the drink in oak barrels. If cognac is produced by blending (that is, mixing) several types of alcohols that were aged for different times, then this factor is not listed on the bottle. Accordingly, cognac made on the basis of a blend is considered not of very high quality among connoisseurs of such alcohol. In ordinary stores you can find cognac, the aging period of which ranges from 3 to 7 years. In specialized establishments you can also find more seasoned products - up to 10 years and even more. However, such drinks are more suitable for connoisseurs and collectors. An ordinary consumer will be quite pleased with cognac aged for about 5 years.
When choosing, you should carefully examine the bottle and evaluate the quality of the closure. The cork should be made from wood or compressed sawdust. The container must be transparent, the sticker is glued evenly, without traces of glue. The cognac should be exposed to light - it should be uniformly transparent, without turbidity, various foreign inclusions, or sediment. You can try turning the bottle upside down to assess the consistency of the drink: if characteristic oily streaks appear on the walls, this indicates an acceptable quality of the drink.
After opening the bottle, you can smell the cognac, pour a little into a glass and heat it slightly: the original drink will slightly change its smell, no inclusions of alcohol, acetone or kerosene will appear. Our review contains only original cognacs, not only according to user reviews, but also according to the opinion of professional tasters. When compiling the rating, we did not ignore the price-quality ratio - you will not find too expensive varieties here.
The best cognacs of 2018
10. White stork (Moldova)
One of the most famous varieties of cognac, which began to be produced during the Soviet Union, is produced until today. This is a fairly popular brand among inexpensive cognacs. The drink has a beautiful golden-amber color. The strength is standard - 40 degrees. The taste reveals floral notes and vanilla. The production technology is classic - wine distillates are aged in oak barrels for three to seven years, after which sugar and caramel are added. This allows you to significantly soften the taste. After this, the drink is again placed in oak barrels and aged for a year, which gives the taste additional brightness.
The shelf life of cognac is unlimited if it is stored correctly - in a room with a temperature of 5 to 25 degrees, humidity should not exceed 40%. The analysis revealed no harmful substances in the drink; its nutritional value is 239 kilocalories.
Advantages:
- Acceptable price;
- Due to the low price, the number of fakes on the market is minimal;
- Pleasant taste;
- Alcohol is barely felt during consumption;
- Has received many awards at prestigious alcoholic beverage competitions.
Flaws:
- Very mediocre packaging.
9. Klinkov VSOP
Despite the low price, this drink belongs to the premium class, is produced in Crimea, its minimum aging is 3 years. It is produced on the basis of cognac grape varieties with the addition of special French-made alcohols. Aging in oak barrels gives this variety a barely noticeable nutty bitterness. The general impression of the drink is as follows: slight sweetness, almost no alcohol is felt, depending on the vintage year, nutmeg mixed with orange zest or honey can be felt, sometimes even slight tobacco aromas can be felt.
The taste is quite soft, balanced - there is nothing superfluous. It is sold in quite interesting packaging: the bottle is placed in a gift tube, on the inside of which precise information about the history of this variety is given. The cork is made of crust, pressed into a plastic cap. The label must indicate the aging period, information about the manufacturer, and the category of the drink. If the bottle is original, then it has a company logo - a large letter K.
Advantages:
- Original taste, which directly depends on the year of grape harvest;
- Belongs to the premium class, despite the reasonable cost;
- Rarely counterfeited;
- Interesting packaging.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
8. Jatone X.O. Extra
On the Russian market, this brand can be found in two varieties - 5 and 8 years old. The drink is made in Kherson, has a large number of different awards, and is characterized by a low cost, which makes it accessible to almost everyone. The color is dark golden, in the taste you can catch barely noticeable notes of milk chocolate, vanilla and hazelnut. You can find more aged products that take on pear and floral aromas followed by a chocolate flavor. This variety is preferred by the fair half of humanity. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find it in popular chain stores; it is sold only through a network of specialized retail alcohol markets.
This cognac only gets better with increasing aging time, continuing to prove its worth. It is produced exclusively from light grape varieties, and distillation takes place only the next year after the wort is made.
Advantages:
- Very interesting taste;
- Has many awards;
- The production technology includes various subtleties, due to which the taste acquires a number of original inclusions;
- An original bottle with many degrees of protection, so it is almost impossible to counterfeit such products.
Flaws:
- A small sediment of oak dust may form at the bottom.
7. Tetroni 5
One of the best cognacs produced in Georgia, even though it is not too expensive. The production of this type of drink began only in 1994, but almost immediately it gained wide popularity. In production, grapes from many regions of Georgia are used, which has a positive effect on the taste, making them richer. The bottle is also designed in a very original way - in black or green. The label shows a thoroughbred white horse. One of the key advantages of cognac is its very mild taste, due to which the drink is quite easy to drink and there is practically no aftertaste of alcohol. Cognac is good not only for men, but also for women.
The drink has a light golden color. Gourmets recommend drinking it slowly, savoring every sip. To feel the complete harmony of the aftertaste, you need to hold the cognac in your mouth for a while and roll your tongue across the palate. It is recommended to consume it in its pure form, without adding it to coffee or cocktails. It will be best combined with ice cream, desserts, cream, but should not be drunk with grapes. It reveals its qualities quite well with seafood.
Advantages:
- An interesting bottle, difficult to fake;
- Mild taste, easy to drink.
Flaws:
- Not suitable for all dishes.
6. Old Kakheti 5
Another very popular brand of Georgian cognac, which is actively exported and supplied to 14 countries around the world, with about 40% of all produced products sent to Russia. The Kakheti Traditional Winemaking company itself, which produces this variety, was opened quite recently - in 2001, but today it is one of the largest wineries in the country, which annually produces about 12 million bottles of cognac. This variety has repeatedly received the highest awards at prestigious international competitions.
Cognac spirits are aged in wooden barrels made from a special type of oak - Iberian, the aging period is at least 5 years, due to which the drink acquires a rich and very balanced taste. Among the aromas, the dominant ones include the tones of dried fruits, old port wine, and natural leather. The taste is delicate, buttery, cognac pleasantly envelops the throat, does not burn, and leaves behind a vanilla-chocolate aftertaste.
Advantages:
- The taste is soft and pleasant;
- Saturated color;
- Over the years it acquires an increasing range of aromas.
Flaws:
- It is difficult to distinguish an original bottle from a fake one.
5. Lezginka
This is one of the first brands of Russian cognacs presented in our review of these noble drinks. Cognac is produced at the Kizlyar Brandy Factory, and the company has the status of an official supplier to the Moscow Kremlin and the presidential administration. Repeatedly, Lezginka cognac received high awards at domestic and international competitions. Not too long ago, the drink began to be exported to Asian countries, in particular to Japan. It is worth noting that this brand is counterfeited quite often, but it is not too difficult to distinguish a fake: on the top of the bottle there is an engraving in the form of an oval medallion with the numbers 1885 - the year of the launch of cognac production in Kizlyar.
The brand name and portrait of Bagration are made using the latest embossing technology. The label has a varnish coating. The information on the neck of the bottle is applied using a laser, and there must be a clear manufacturer's mark on the bottom. The cognac tastes very good - it is a balanced balance of freshness and fruity tones of peach, grapes, and apricot jam. The aftertaste creates a feeling of warmth and has a chocolate flavor. This drink is very popular among consumers, although it is quite expensive.
Advantages:
- Good taste;
- Minimum content of substances harmful to health.
Flaws:
- High price;
- There are a significant number of fakes on the market.
4. Ararat 5
Armenia has long been famous for cognac, and this variety has absorbed all the best traditions of Armenian winemakers. This variety is produced at the Yerevan Brandy Factory and is supplied to more than 40 countries around the world. About 7-8 million bottles are produced annually, of which about 5 are supplied to Russia. Cognac has a specific, but very pleasant taste due to the use in production of only grape varieties that grow directly on the territory of Armenia, and the aging of alcohol is carried out in oak barrels from various types of wood. The manufacturing company positions its products as high quality and meeting the preferences of all lovers of Armenian cognac.
The variety has many international awards, in particular, even very prestigious ones - The World-Spirits Award, World Spirits Competition and others. Cognac has a pleasant smell of pear, compote made from dried fruits, and plums. The taste is slightly burning, tart, reminiscent of apple juice and green grapes, and has sweetish undertones. The aftertaste is silky with a slight bitterness, like an apricot kernel. Pairs perfectly with a bar of dark chocolate or black coffee.
Advantages:
- One of the best Armenian cognacs;
- An original taste that cannot be confused with any other variety.
Flaws:
- High price.
3. Noah Araspel
Even just picking up a bottle of this type of cognac, you understand that this product is of excellent quality. The shape of the bottle is quite interesting; it is massive both in appearance and in weight. This cognac stands out from other varieties due to its rich color, which becomes more saturated over the years, thereby emphasizing its nobility. In the production of this drink, only vintage white grapes are used. It is manufactured in Armenia and supplied to all CIS countries, Europe and the USA, and in fairly large quantities. It is recognized by connoisseurs of these drinks due to its high quality, which is confirmed by a significant number of awards at international competitions.
The price of this cognac is quite acceptable for the average consumer. The whole bouquet of aromas and tastes of the variety is not revealed immediately. Poured into a glass, this cognac immediately begins to give off light notes of vanilla, the first small sip gives some heat, but then it turns into velvety with an interesting combination of chocolate and vanilla. The aftertaste is long, which characterizes only high-quality drinks.
Advantages:
- Original bottle shape;
- Several degrees of protection allowing you to quickly distinguish a fake;
- Beautiful color, pleasant aroma and rich taste.
Flaws:
- Not found.
2. King Tigran
Found only in specialized alcohol stores. Its average aging is one of the longest among all the best cognacs of 2018 - it is at least 10 years. The drink is fermented exclusively with wild yeast, which gives it a dark amber color. The aroma contains classic tones of vanilla and chocolate, you can catch floral and ginger shades. The taste is quite soft, elegant, and has a long aftertaste without bitterness.
If you open the bottle and immediately smell the drink, you can feel the tones of marinade, bay leaf, and lemon zest. When you rub a few drops in your palms, it changes a little, some creamy notes are introduced into it, and the tones of the marinade weaken somewhat, but do not disappear at all. There is no alcoholic aftertaste when drinking, but there is some astringency. The duration of the aftertaste, especially if you drink cognac with lemon and chocolate, can reach 15 minutes.
Advantages:
- Long exposure;
- Long aftertaste;
- Interesting color.
Flaws:
- High price.
1. Ararat Nairi
This is the most expensive, but also the best brand of cognac among all included in our review. The product is Armenian, has a deep dark amber color, an interesting shine and absolute transparency without the slightest hint of any sediment. The texture is harmonious and distinguished by excellent refinement. The taste is rich, has a long aftertaste, which combines toasted bread, cloves, and they are balanced by the presence of honey and tones of cinnamon. You can detect a certain amount of alcohol in the aroma, but it is well masked by fruity and woody odors and has some sweetness. You can catch dried pears and apples. After the cognac sits in the glass for some time, caramel notes and the smell of a freshly sawn oak board begin to appear.
This cognac is very easy to drink; the taste contains some fruity tints, which can later be detected in the aftertaste. Classic vanilla, tones of chocolate and prunes cannot be detected, which gives the cognac even more originality, so it is simply impossible to confuse this drink with another variety.
Advantages:
- Interesting taste;
- Long aftertaste and original aroma that cannot be confused with anything else.
Flaws:
- High price.
In conclusion, a useful video
As you can see, even among budget varieties of cognac you can find very decent and interesting specimens that will appeal to true connoisseurs of this noble drink. Surely, there are many more little-known, but at the same time high-quality and tasty varieties, if you share such information with us and our other readers in the comments or simply share your impressions and thoughts regarding our review, we will be very grateful to you.
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