With more than 150 bottlings to choose from, including a variety of vintage spirits dating back to the early 20th century, the Brandy Library is the best place to enjoy cognac in New York and possibly the whole country. And Flavien Desoblin, who opened the venerable institution in 2004, not only has 14 years of experience serving drinks but also is an enthusiastic cognac evangelist.
We couldn’t think of a better guide to this oft-misunderstood liquor, so we asked him for some key pieces of advice.
For a simple, long drink as an aperitif, cognac can be consumed with tonic or ginger ale. In Rémy Martin VSOP, this brings out notes of fresh fruit, and even licorice. This is how the aperitif is typically enjoyed by the locals in Cognac.
Don’t Add Water or Ice
“Water tends to make cognac too bland, unless you deal with a cask-strength bottling, which is rare,” Desoblin says, “and ice just kills it.” In general, serve the spirit neat, at room temperature or slightly cooler. The traditional snifter, with its wide, balloon-shaped bottom and narrow top, is the ideal vessel, Desoblin says: “It allows for swirling and therefore the liberation of aromatic compounds.”
If It’s Young, Mix It
For cocktails, Desoblin advises that you pour a younger spirit like Courvoisier VS, Frapin VS or Leopold Gourmel Premieres Saveurs. Citrus, nutty and floral flavors play well with cognac, so try fixing classics such as the Sidecar and French Connection. Also, “a young cognac with ginger ale on ice works wonders when it’s hot,” Desoblin says. We recommend his Jarnac Ginger, a brandy-based spin on the Dark ‘n Stormy.
How To Drink Cognac Properly
FAQ
What do you mix VSOP with?
How do you drink cognac VSOP?
What do you drink with Hennessy VSOP?
What is cognac best paired with?
Is VSOP a cognac?
To be considered a cognac at all, the spirit must be aged for at least two years. VSOP doubles this (and more in most cases). It can contain cognacs that are much older as well. The blend can have other, longer-aged cognacs, but the youngest cognac is why it gets its designation.
How do you drink VSOP cognac?
Like any other spirit, you should drink VSOP Cognac any way you like. That being said, VSOP has enough age on it to enjoy sipping neat or over a large ice cube, but it also works wonderfully in classic cocktails like a Sazerac, Old Fashioned or sidecar. This delicious and delicate Cognac opens with a distinctly nutty aroma.
What is the difference between VSOP and XO?
VSOP stands for Very Special Old Pale – aged at least four years. → XO or Napoleon means Extra Old – aged at least six years. There are even plans to change the definition of XO to be oak aged for at least ten years. → Extra Cognac is also aged at least six years but is a Cognac superior to an XO.
How old do you have to be to drink a VSOP?
For a cognac to be classified as a VSOP, the minimum age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend must be at least 4 years old. Rémy Martin’s Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau orientates himself on creating the perfect harmony of powerful and elegant aromas for the final blend of Rémy Martin VSOP .