Cognac

Definition:

Cognac is brandy’s posh cousin who went to finishing school in France. It’s made only in the Cognac region, from tart little white grapes like Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche. Twice distilled in shiny copper pot stills (because one spin just isn’t classy enough), it then lounges in French oak barrels for at least two years: picking up all those suave notes of vanilla, spice, and oak along the way.

Why it Matters:

Cognac isn’t just another bottle on the back bar; it’s the liquid equivalent of a velvet jacket. Its strict rules about grapes, distillation, and aging ensure that what you’re sipping is the real deal, not a knockoff in a fancy bottle. Bartenders love it because it brings sophistication to classics like the Sidecar or Vieux Carré, while also standing tall in a snifter all by itself.

For cocktail lovers, Cognac matters because it represents craftsmanship, heritage, and pure indulgence. It’s where rustic grapes meet centuries of refinement—proving that sometimes, patience (and a French oak barrel) is the best ingredient of all.