Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell and Remy-Martin: How to Enjoy Cognac if You're a First-Time Consumer

Often renowned for producing the world's finest brandy, the region surrounding Cognac, France, has been distilling and aging white wines for centuries. Cognac has since been synonymous with wealthy drinkers, ranging from American executives to European Royalty. However, cognac has steadily made its way down the social ladder since first being distilled many years ago, and now the spirit is enjoyed by many middle-class drinkers.

The four largest producers of cognac are Courvoisier, Hennessy, Martell, and Remy-Martin. In addition to rarer cognacs such as $1,000 per bottle Richard Hennessy, each produces the three basic grades of cognac: VS, VSOP, and XO. VS stands for Very Special, and is used to describe a spirit whose youngest blended spirit has been aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels. VSOP grade spirits have been aged for a minimum of four years, and the acronym stands for Very Superior Old Pale. Finally, the initialing XO means that the spirit has been stored in oak casks for aging for at least six years.

When serving cognac straight (unmixed), it is important to use the correct glass for nosing and tasting. Specially designed brandy snifters are made for the purpose, and vary in price according to materials used; a plastic set of the fluted glasses may only cost ten dollars, while the same set made out of glass crystal may cost ten times as much. The ballooned shape of the drinkware gives the spirit a wide surface area, releasing varied delicate scents. The fluted shape at the top helps to concentrate these orders to form the "nose," or overall smell, of the cognac.

After pouring a serving of cognac, smell the spirit, keeping the glass a few inches away from your nose; gradually move the glass closer, noting how certain scents intensify, decrease, or disappear altogether. Drink only a half to whole teaspoon at a time, taking time to enjoy the intricate flavors of the drink. Common flavors will resemble fruits and spices, while most of the nose will resemble a bouquet of flowers.

Though many classic drinkers consider it an abomination, the recent influx of cognac into hip-hop cultures has led to a plethora of mixed drinks featuring the expensive liquor. Cognac producers have shifted to accommodate this change, with such drink innovations as the "Hennyville Slugger," or simple "Hennessy and Vanilla Coke." The former combines cognac, Sprite, and the juice of half a lemon, while the latter involves mixing cognac and Coca-Cola in a 1:5 ratio.

However one chooses to drink it, cognac is a classic brandy that can now be enjoyed by a consumer base that has expanded to include both the English King and middle-of-the-road hip-hop fans. As production becomes more consistent and efficient, the price of cognac should go down while the popularity skyrockets to unprecedented levels.