10 Cognac Brands that you should definitely try in 2021

In this blog, we will discuss some interesting facts about the 11 best cognac brands in the world. The word ‘Cognac’ might trigger some wonderful memories and experiences for all alcohol lovers. Yes, we are talking about the champagne of brandy. 

Cognac has an interesting origin and is prepared under extremely strict laws and regulations. After gaining knowledge about these fun facts, you will fall in love even more with this brandy.

What is Cognac?

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, Cognac is a special type of brandy that is prepared specifically in the Cognac region in France. Hence, the name ‘cognac’. It is prepared from white wine using certain specific kinds of grapes. There are strict laws and regulations for making cognac. Any other brandy that is made outside the Cognac region cannot be classified as Cognac. 

Fun Fact: People celebrate June 4 as the ‘National Cognac Day’ every year.

How was Cognac Discovered and Invented?

There is an interesting story behind the invention of Cognac. The origin of the Cognac Brand dates back to the 16th century when some Dutch settlers traveled to the Cognac region of France for purchasing salt, wood, and wine. 

Since they faced difficulty preserving the wine while returning home, they distilled it into eau-de-vie to preserve it. Although the process was successful, it required further distillation. After the second distillation, the wine had a finer, elegant, and pleasant taste —leading to the invention of the world-famous Cognac. 

Top 10 Cognac Brands that you definitely try in 2021 (includes our recommendation)

1. Hennessy:

Age: 255 years

Year of Establishment: 1765

Founder: Richard Hennessy

Average Price:  $50 – $3500

Hennessy was the first cognac brand to arrive in New York and is also the best-selling brand in the US. It is the most globally recognizable cognac brand—producing and supplying approximately 40% of the world’s cognac.

The cognac brand operates mainly in the Charente region and is a leader in sustainability. It incorporates eco-friendly practices in all their activities. Hennessy XO (Extra Old) was the first-ever XO produced.

2. Hine: 

Age: 258 years

Year of Establishment: 1763

Founder: Thomas Hine

Average Price: $55 – $660

The House of Hine functions with the core belief or principle that cognacs cannot be great without the great white wine. Therefore, the brand draws its identity from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. 

Hine cognacs are prepared using vintage crus that encapsulate the uniqueness of the stated year. This combined blend of vintages and crus is fundamental in maintaining the perfect balance of consistency and virtuosity.

3. Martell:

Age: 306 years

Year of Establishment: 1715

Founder: Jean Martell

Average Price: $40 – $360

Martell is the oldest cognac brand that uses grapes grown in the Borderies. They are the smallest and rarest of crus and are grown in silica clay soils that give distinct floral aromas making it an exceptional brand. 

The Millesimes 1972 is one of the most complex cognacs that has been aged in barrels for 43 years making it the most vivid, intense, and elegant brandy. The most precious Eaux-de-vie is stored in Paradis – a hidden cellar.

4. Meukow:

Age: 160 years

Year of Establishment: 1862

Founder: Auguste-Christophe and Gustav Meukow

Average Price: $9.99 – $13,969

Meukow is a Russian cognac brand. It is known as ‘Jaguar Liquor’ or ‘Panther Liquor’ due to its distinctive bottle design. Meukow has been awarded the Pack d’Or twice due to its distinctive Feline bottle. That symbolizes power, elegance, and suppleness. 

Meukow Cognac consists of distinct flavours including wood, fruit, and nuts. Every bottle of cognac for the brand also displays the first logo of the house – the flowery hand along with the panther.

5. Courvoisier:

Age: 186 years

Year of Establishment: 1835

Founder: Felix Courvoisier

Average Price: $35 – $410

Courvoisier is the only cognac brand that controls the entire production process of cognac — from grape to glass. This cognac brand uses grapes from over 800 grape-growers in Grande and Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois. The wine is distilled on the lees, and the Eaux-de-vie is stored in hand-made barrels of 200-year-old oak trees.

Courvoisier was one such cognac brand that was preferred by the troops of the Napoleon War. Moreover, it is one of the top cognac brands that was chosen to celebrate the grand opening of the Eiffel Tower at the Universal Exhibition in 1889. 

6. Remy Martin:

Age: 300 years

Year of Establishment: 1724

Founder: E. Remy Martin

Average Price: $50 – $35,000

Remy Martin is one of the world’s largest cognac producers and the only cognac house that was founded by a winemaker. The distillation of the wine is done by the traditional method on the lees in small copper stills. 

The Remy Martin Louis XVIII cognac is processed from grapes that are aged between 50-100 years from the Grande Champagne region with a 3-litre bottle. Remy Martin VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is the world’s best-selling VSOP that has been deemed an Appellation d’Origine Controlee under French law. 

7. Pierre Ferrand:

Age: 32 years

Year of Establishment: 1989

Founder: Alexandre Gabriel

Average Price: $2.9 – $3000

Pierre Ferrand, commonly known as Maison Ferrand, was founded by Alexandre in partnership with Pierre Ferrand. The cognac brand works in distilling and ageing exceptional Pierre Ferrand cognacs and distributing them all over the world.

Cognacs of this brand are made using 100% Grande Champagne vines located in the Angeac terroir. This land is considered a part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ with chalky soils and rolling landscapes. The cognac is distilled on the lees to create body and flavor which is then stored in small barrels across seven aging cellars. After maturing the Eaux-de-vie, it is blended by fifth-generation cellar masters to develop a perfect blend of high-quality cognac.

8. Kelt:

Age: 33 years

Year of Establishment: 1987

Founder: Olev Keltes

Average Price: $45 – $6638

Kelt cognacs are made from Ugni Blanc grapes from Grande Champagne. The distillation is done in copper pot-stills and stored in Limousin oak barrels. Cognacs of this brand have a special unique taste due to their ocean maturation inspired by early shipping journeys of cognac barrels.

Kelt ditches the traditional standard production by sending their barrels to sea for maturation for three months. The power of the ocean makes Kelt cognac special. Factors such as the motion of the ocean, air pressure changes, and the unique sea environment contribute to making this brand exceptional. 

9. Camus:

Age: 159 years

Year of Establishment: 1863

Founder: Jean-Baptiste Camus

Average Price: $60 – $550

Camus combines traditional knowledge and expertise along with scientific innovation to produce more intense and delicious cognacs. They have their vineyards where they produce the Broderies range consisting of single-estate blends.

Its grapes are sourced from Ile-de-Re – a small island off the coast of La Rochelle that tastes more like ‘maritime’. However, the company matures its cognacs in Tawny Port barrels to infuse different flavours.

10. Frapin:

Age: 751 years

Year of Establishment: 1270

Founder: Frapin family

Average Price: $60 – $4000

Frapin is the only cognac brand producer that makes every single bottle of cognac entirely on the family estate. They own a single estate of 240 hectares of vineyards in Grande Champagne. The brand still employs growing and production methods that were originally used during its establishment.

The distillation of cognacs for the brand is done by the Master Distillers after which the cognac is aged in a series of barrels. The warehouse for storage has two levels that allow two different atmospheric conditions – greater humidity on the ground level, or a drier climate in the attic.

Our recommendation 

11. Hermitage:

Age: 41 years

Year of Establishment: 1980

Founder: David Baker

Average Price: $80 – $7000

Hermitage cognacs produce one of the finest cognacs in the world. They are prepared using specific distillation qualities and long, careful ageing in oak casks from a single estate producer, unlike other brands. Hermitage is considered as one of the luxury cognac brands.  It has a smaller yield of products as compared to other brands.

Hermitage is a relatively young cognac producer who involved research in finding small cognac distillers to create their product range. The brand focuses on making its products without any additives or caramel for colouring.

Exploring other Luxurious Cognac Brands

The above top 11 cognac brands are very special and luxurious with each brand having a special quality making them unique. There are many other cognac brands that are loved by everyone and considered equally luxurious. Some of them are Louis XIII, H.Mounier Marquis de La Fayette, De Luze, D’Usse, H by Hine, Bache Gabrielsen, Hardy, Croizet, Francois Voyer, and Guillon Painturaud.

Now that you have learnt about each of these cognac brands and their specialities, which one do you think will be your favourite? 

Also Read: Made in India: 20 Famous Indian Brands thriving throughout the World