While whiskey gets most of the attention during the winter months, you’re really missing out if you don’t have at least one or two bottles of cognac on your home bar cart. This French brandy has many of the same aromas and flavors that whiskey drinkers enjoy, like dried fruits, caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, candied nuts, pipe tobacco, and oaky wood.
What is cognac?
For those who are new to cognac, it’s a little different from whiskey. While whiskey is made from grains like barley, corn, rye, and wheat, cognac is made from Grapes.
Also, like how bourbon can only be made in the US and tequila can only be made in a specific area of Mexico, cognac (as defined by the rules of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) can only be produced in the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments in southwestern France. It must also be double-distilled in copper pot stills and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years.
I’ve been lucky enough not only to sample countless cognacs over the years, but also to visit Cognac, France, a handful of times. I’ve learned that the nuanced, complex flavor of a well-made
The best warming cognacs to drink this winter
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about the appeal of cognac during the colder months, it’s time to find some to add to your home bar cart or liquor cabinet. Below, you’ll find a list of our favorite warming cognacs to drink until the spring thaw. Grab a bottle of one of these beauties and sip it slowly with a blanket on your lap while you sit by a roaring fireplace. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Ferrand Ambre Cognac
A great choice for beginners and seasoned cognac drinkers alike, Ferrand Ambre
$55.99
Bertrand Napoleon Cognac
Made from a combination of Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes from the Petite Fine Champagne region, it was double-distilled in copper pot stills before being matured for 20 years in Limousin oak barrels. This creates a sublime, sippable cognac that opens with aromas of dried figs, baking spices, candied nuts, and caramel. The palate is centered on buttery caramel, orchard fruits, a nutty sweetness, crème brulee, chocolate, and vanilla beans. The finish is long-lasting, warm, and ends with a mix of toffee and wintry spices. One sip and this is sure to have a permanent spot in your home bar.
$68
Audry XO Cognac
Made with a 50/50 mix of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne grapes, it was matured between 18 and 20 years in Limousin barrels. The result is an 80-proof eaux-de-vie blend that starts off with aromas of cracked black pepper, toasted vanilla beans, butterscotch, and baking spices. The palate is a symphony of flavors, including creamy caramel, candied nuts, chocolate, and gentle oak. The finish is effortlessly warming and ends with a mix of nutty, fruity, toffee sweetness. Sip it neat as a digestif after a heavy winter meal.
$99.99
Hennessy XO
One of the best (and easy to find) XO cognacs on the market, Hennessy XO is made with Ugni Blanc grapes and is distilled twice in traditional Charentais copper stills. It’s matured for a minimum of ten years (with some included eaux-de-vie much older) in Limousin barrels. Once bottled, you’ll be greeted with a nose of butterscotch candy, ripe fruit, candied nuts, and toasted vanilla beans. Drinking it brings hints of orchard fruits, dried fruit, vanilla, caramelized sugar, baking spices, and charred oak. This is an epic cognac that deserves to be sipped neat after a long week of work.
$199.99
Hine Rare Cognac
With a name like Rare, you should have a pretty good idea about what you’re in for when you crack open a bottle. This VSOP cognac is made with a blend of more than 20 eaux-de-vie made with Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne grapes. Matured between 6 and 12 years, it’s known for its wildflowers, honey, vanilla, and baking spices on the nose. Sipping it reveals hints of butterscotch, ripe fruits, vanilla, dried fruits, pipe tobacco, chocolate, and oak. The finish is long, lingering, sublimely warm, and ends with a final flourish of oak and fruity sweetness. If you only buy one expression from this list, make it this one. Drink it neat with friends and family.
$55.99
