Only a few dozen deserve to be named the best of the best. Most of them originated in France, and it was them that we took as the basis for the rating of the TOP-10 cognac brands.
Hennessy (Hennessy)
This is one of the most important cognac houses in France, recognizable and revered in every corner of the world. The brand was founded in 1765 and already in 1794 carried out the first export delivery of cognac to North America.
In addition to its classic range, which includes the well-known Hennessy V.S. (Very Special), Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege, Hennessy Richard and Hennessy Paradis, in the Hennessy product line you can also find special cognacs produced for special occasions.
So, for example, stand out:
- Hennessy Library. This drink was created as a reminder that the company treats its products like antiques that need to be protected;
- Hennessy Private Reserve- this is a cognac with a surprisingly floral range, created on the basis of 14 alcohols;
- Hennessy Ellipse, consisting of the 7 best alcohols. In addition, this cognac has a strength of 43.5%, although classic options cognac houses usually offer 40%.
Remy Martin (Remy March)
This cognac house is second only to Hennessy in terms of fame. The Remy Martin brand was founded in 1695 and since then has been actively developing, successfully competing with numerous cognac brands.
The secret of the success of the cognacs of this house was that it did not exchange for trifles. Remy Marta basically did not produce V.S. brand drinks, concentrating only on the highest quality alcohol.
Only at the end of the 90s the company decided to replenish the line with affordable cognacs and released Remy Martin VS Superior.
Augier (Ogier)
Cognac brand Ogier is the oldest brand in the world. It was founded in 1643 and still stands out for the stability of the quality of its products. The recipe for cognacs of this brand until recently remained the oldest and secret, passed down from generation to generation.
However, in 1968 the company was bought out, and although the new owners remained true to tradition for a long time, time forced them to give up and change the recipe.
Bisquit (Biscuit)
The founding father of this cognac house is 20-year-old Alexander Biscuit, who skillfully organized production in 1819. All Bisquit cognacs stand out for their long aging and rich taste.
Camus (Camus)
Elite and refined cognac of this house appeared on sale in 1863. In those days, it was preferred by all the royal courts of Europe. Today Camus stayed elite alcohol and is sold only in specialized stores.
Courvoisier (Courvoisier)
Courvoisier is Napoleon's favorite and revered cognac. The pride of this cognac house is:
- very rich and complex taste of the drink, which is revealed slowly and gradually;
- noble color;
- aroma of citrus and pear.
All this made Courvoisier one of the most popular and best-selling cognacs in the world.
Delamain (Delamain)
The founder of this brand was an Englishman who settled in France and bought the whole estate for his favorite pastime.
Delamen drinks are famous for their very light color and amazingly rich fruity taste.
Croizet
The appearance of the Croiset house is a significant date of the beginning of the 17th century, because the cognacs of this brand are still recognized as one of the best. In addition, this house is one of those rare producers offering cognacs based on spirits of the same year.
Martell
Martel Cognacs are a treasure trove of ancient and refined cognac spirits that can date as far back as 1830. All retro spirits are stored in special cellars and only in Tromsey oak barrels. It was this method of storage that helped achieve the surprisingly mild taste of Martel drinks.
Davidoff (Davidoff)
Our rating is completed by a young cognac brand that began its history with a Ukrainian emigrant and cigarettes. Cognacs appeared on the market as an addition to cigars, however, they soon gained independence and ceased to be associated with tobacco. Other features of the brand include exclusive bottles and production based on Hennessy cognac.
Almost every cognac listed above You can always buy at the WineStreet store. With us you choose from the best!
Among all strong alcoholic drinks, cognac is considered the best and is rightfully included in the elite category. The use of special grape varieties and a special cooking recipe give it a unique taste, strength and incredible aroma.
Naturally, only drinks from the French province of Cognac have the right to be called cognacs, but technology has long scattered around the world, and drinks from other regions of the globe are not inferior in quality to the leading drinks from the banks of the Charente. In this regard, let's consider what is the best cognac, so to speak, on a national basis. Moreover, the name of our site has the writing of this article.
Armenian cognacs
In the Soviet Union, it was Armenian drinks that were considered the best, and some of their types were supplied to the table of the English Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the detective queen Agatha Christie. The drinks of the Transcaucasus have a special sweet aftertaste, and the grapes for their production are grown and harvested only in the valleys of Ararat.
The legendary "Ararat" is one of the oldest brands of cognacs produced in the post-Soviet space. The history of its production has more than 120 years, and today they make up a whole collection series.
The production formula and special technologies have been preserved for many years, only the equipment changes, keeping pace with technical progress. It features bright chestnut or dark bronze hues, as well as heady aromas of grapes and all kinds of spices.
Exposure of some types reaches 20-25 years, and cognac "Noah's Ark" is aged in special barrels for half a century.
This 10-year-old masterpiece is one of the best in the ArArAt collection, and has been produced since 1945. At world exhibitions, the drink was awarded many prestigious awards, including 13 gold medals.
Its strength is 50%, and the taste and aroma are so rich that a connoisseur of strong exclusive drinks will appreciate it. Due to the fact that Dvin is aged for a long time, it acquires a special amber color, also shimmering with shades of mahogany.
The taste perfectly combines notes of cloves and dried fruits, and the aftertaste will captivate with spices and hazelnuts.
The Armenian winemakers did not pass by the legend of Noah and his ark, moored to the top of Ararat. It is believed that it was Noah who planted the first vineyards on the mountain, and modern masters proudly turned the legend into reality.
The drink is aged from 5 years, and among the features it should be noted a subtle almond flavor and a special nutmeg aftertaste. Suitable for any dessert, and also great as an aperitif.
Like all Armenian cognacs, it has its own line of different types, differing from each other in the recipe and the exposure period.
Georgian cognacs
In the world of strong strong drinks, Georgian cognacs are a special phenomenon, and the site could not fail to mention drinks from this beautiful country. The tradition of making cognac in Georgia originated in 1865, and today Georgian brands rightfully occupy their niche in the world market alcoholic products.
It was David Sarajishvili who more than 130 years ago began to produce elite grape drinks, and today cognac, named after him, is one of the most popular and best in the post-Soviet space.
Alcohols are double distilled in special copper containers, and in production they use the best varieties of grapes grown on the sunny mountain slopes of the Caucasus.
On the palate, you can clearly feel the chocolate flavor with hints of spices and almonds, and the aftertaste plays with a variety of fruity shades.
One of the best and most expensive Georgian cognac produced by the Tiflisi Maraniya trading house.
From the first sip, "Tbiliso" will captivate with a nutty-citrus aroma with light echoes of dried fruits. It tastes mild and will suit any menu, from barbecue to sweet dessert, and the delicate amber color of the Georgian drink pleases the eye.
Note that this brand is produced from 17-year-old spirits, and the recipe takes its roots in the early twentieth century.
Askaneli Extra XO
The Askaneli brothers' trading house has long been known outside of Georgia, and specializes in the production of elite wines and various brands of cognacs.
In their line, a 50-year-old drink with a truly Georgian character “Extra XO” stands out. This, at its core, is an intricate combination of a mixture of various alcohols of various aging.
It combines a magnificent range of aromas, which are based on vanilla and dark chocolate. The long aftertaste is characterized by the taste walnut, prunes, and, naturally, notes of oak.
Moldovan cognacs
In the Soviet period, alcoholic products from Moldova were always distinguished by excellent quality, and most importantly, by a low price. All these criteria are still the main signs of Moldovan winemakers, including cognacs.
It was and remains the hallmark of alcoholic beverages of the Republic of Moldova. The brand has stood the test of time, known ups and downs, but remains in demand on the world market.
For 3 years, spirits are aged in oak barrels, but there are varieties that are aged for more than 7 years. The high-tech distillation process gives the product a special aroma and an unforgettable, pleasant taste.
Vanilla notes are laid in the base, and the aftertaste is characterized by floral nuances.
"Chisinau"
But the alcoholic drink, named after the Moldovan capital, is made from ingredients aged 10-15 years, and, remarkably, only from national products.
Winemakers managed to create unique product with an incredibly attractive tea color and a complex bouquet of flavor tones and intoxicating aromas.
Exoticism is given by a combination of resinous vanilla tones with sophisticated floral hues.
Ukrainian cognacs
The eternal competitor of Moldovan alcoholic beverage producers, Ukrainian winemakers have long declared themselves to the whole world with high-quality and inexpensive alcoholic products, among which Ukrainian cognacs occupy a special place.
In a beautiful and radiant city, they produce the same magnificent cognac with beautiful name pearls of the Northern Black Sea region. The drink is included in the category of vintage from a large group of cops.
Vanilla-chocolate shade gives it sophistication and sophistication, and alcohols undergoing repeated purification are aged on average for about 11-12 years.
But they make "Odessa" from grape varieties grown and harvested not only in the vast vineyards of Ukraine, but also in Russia.
The name takes us to the distant past, when the steppes of the Black Sea shuddered from the clatter of the hooves of the Scythian horses, and at the same time enjoyed the measured life of the Greek policies.
In recent decades, the Tavria trademark has significantly expanded the line of vintage, collection cognacs Borisfen. Paying tribute to tradition, it is made from the highest quality spirits, and goes through a complex distillation process.
It has a unique aroma of steppe herbs and vanilla-chocolate freshness.
Another Ukrainian product of excellent quality is produced by the Shustov trademark, and is recognized by experts as one of the best cognacs in Ukraine.
Alcohols are aged for more than 20 years, and grape varieties are carefully selected from the best vineyards of the Black Sea region. The drink with such a romantic name combines the long-standing traditions of the Shustov house and advanced production technologies.
"Duke" will enchant with its unique velvety taste and amaze with a pleasant aroma of fresh herbs and fruity shades.
Russian cognacs
The large expanses of Russia have also led to a variety of brands specializing in the production of elite alcoholic beverages. It should be noted that long-standing and special traditions of winemaking have developed in Russia, which is also reflected in cognac production.
Since the reunification of Crimea, the palette of strong drinks in Russia has increased significantly, because the Crimean peninsula was the birthplace of Russian traditions in the production of cognacs.
In this series, a special place belongs to "Koktebel" with its bright, delicate taste and attractive aroma. Produced at the plant of the same name, it has long won the hearts of consumers.
Particularly stand out in the elite line of the brand "Kutuzov" and "Koktebel rarity", manufactured according to special old recipes, and with many years of exposure.
The plant in Kalingrad has old traditions, and dates back to 1892, its drink "Old Koenigsberg" has become its real calling card.
It has passed the difficult test of time, and today it is produced in a harmonious combination of ancient recipes with advanced achievements of alcoholic beverage production.
In a number of brothers, it will be distinguished by a bright amber color, because it is produced on the shores of the Baltic, but spirits are stored in oak barrels in the province of Cognac. The taste is rich, slightly sweet with a velvety aftertaste of spices and a slight hint of violet flowers.
Let's not leave aside the capital manufacturer, which presented in 1998 a special brand "Moskovsky". Note that its release was the revival of the old brand of the 40s.
In production, both domestic and French distillates are used, and alcohols are aged from 5 to 7 years. Blend developed by the best winemakers, and is harmonious combination herbs and noble tones of ancient oaks.
The alcoholic drink has repeatedly won at international exhibitions and is widely represented on the world market.
Greek cognacs
The country of grapes and olives has long established itself in the world with the release of high-quality alcohol, which gives off a special taste and heady aroma. Greek drinks are of incredible quality, because they are made on the basis of the best grape varieties with the addition of exotic spices and fruits.
Compared to known and the best views of French production, the Greek drink Metaxa, although inferior in quality, is also magnificent, and most importantly, not expensive.
This world-famous brand is already over 120 years old, and cognacs are bottled from special barrels, where spirits are kept for 10 to 15 years. And, for example, the blended "Metaxa Centenaru" has an exposure of 50 years.
Only natural flavors of juicy steppe herbs and rose petals are added to the product.
It is rather brandy, because it is produced by long distillation of the best Greek wines. But the manufacturer positions the drink as cognac.
A special distillation process gives the drink a delicate fruity taste, because the fortress is only 38%. For greater elegance, spices and spices that grow in the mountains of Greece are added to the composition. It is very popular among both Greeks and tourists.
It is sold in the original bottle, and gift options are also in chic packaging. This drink will be one of the New Year's decorations or another.
French cognacs
Camus
Not everyone will agree that the price of this drink is acceptable, but believe me, cognacs of this quality can cost much more.
The trading house, which produces an excellent elite drink, was founded in 1863, and is considered one of the oldest in the world. Their products are distinguished by a low content of fineness and a velvety taste.
The process of two-level distillation is carried out in a huge cube, which gives the drink a heady bouquet of aromas and an incredibly smooth taste. The drink is produced in small batches and bottled in original bottles.
Several magnificent collections have been created, which are in great demand among connoisseurs, and experts note excellent quality.
"Remy Martin"
Despite the fact that the brand is the oldest in the world, and has existed since 1724, this cognac is relatively young. It was launched in 1989.
The bouquet contains notes of apples, lime and a little peach. Alcohols of low exposure give the drink a mild taste, and when the bottle is uncorked, the intoxicating aroma immediately fills the space of the room.
On the shelves of wine stores you can find a rounded bottle, shaped like champagne.
We have presented a number of high-quality, but relatively inexpensive cognacs accessible to the common man. And if we once wrote about, then cognac for many is useful product for the soul.
In conclusion, we note that a good cognac has no nationality, because an elite drink is designed to brighten up everyday life with bright colors, no matter in what part of the world it is produced. But never forget about such a concept as "drinking culture" and always remember the sense of proportion, although there is such a category as national traditions of drinking alcohol.
And one more piece of advice... According to experts, the price of a good cognac starts at $15, so be careful and don't run into fakes.
Choosing a decent drink, you need to understand its classification. The main criterion that reflects the quality of cognac is information about the duration of the aging (ripening) process. The older the cognac, the better. In the CIS countries, age division is usually marked with asterisks:
- three stars - the drink has 3-5 years of aging;
- five stars - high quality cognac, aged from 5 to 15 years.
Important! The minimum aging period for Armenian cognac is 3 years. Alcohol with a shorter aging period can only be called cognac.
Manufacturers from other countries are guided by the following classification:
- VS, short for Very Special, is often referred to as triple S (three stars) - the minimum exposure is 2-3 years. There are drinks with a 5-7 year period.
- VSOP, short for Very Superior Old Pale, has a 4-year maturation period. In practice, maturation for this category is much higher and averages 7-20 years.
- XO, short for Extra Old, ripens for 6 years. In practice, strong drinks from this category are aged for 20-50 years.
Probably, they will soon release a new category XO 10 for the oldest drinks.
Rules for buying cognac in a store
Price is the first thing you need to pay attention to. The specificity of the production of natural cognac is the distillation of fermented grape juice. This is a complex and costly process.
In addition, there are very few vineyards left in our country now. There is an acute shortage of grape raw materials for producers. You have to buy foreign alcohol, for example French. This also drastically increases the cost of production.
Attention! This exclusive cognac is expensive. If you have a bottle cheaper than 500 rubles. - It's a fake copy. Experts say that the percentage of counterfeit cognac today is 90%.
External characteristics of the quality of cognac packaging
Pay attention to how the bottle is designed, what kind of glass, how the label is pasted, how much the manufacturer spent on packaging.
Bottle. A bottle that has a complex, structured shape, with a strong, embossed glass, indicates that the breeder is concerned about protection against fakes. The more interesting the bottle, the better. Cognac in a universal bottle, often turns out to be a surrogate.
Label. The label with the name must be attached perfectly evenly, without shifts, bubbles of folds and corners lagging behind the glass. It doesn't stick on top. excise stamp, but is located below it or next to it. The label provides information about the age of the cognac/brandy, the aging time in oak barrels and the place where the drink was made.
Important! Each label has a special stamp with a number. You can go online to the Rosalkogolregulirovanie website and get information about what exactly should be sold under this brand.
Pay attention to the composition indicated on the label. If the manufacturer declares rectified alcohol and flavorings, such a drink cannot be called cognac or brandy. The basis of natural cognac is only cognac spirit.
Lid. Another sign by which you need to choose cognac. The lid must be made of cork or wood chips. Do not rotate, but hermetically attached to the neck of the bottle. On real alcoholic products, the caps are heat-sealed. The contents of the bottle must not come into contact with the cork.
Advice! Buy cognac in supermarkets. Control over small retail outlets is much weaker. Ask for a certificate of conformity for the selected product.
Which cognac is better
There are a number of criteria that distinguish high-quality cognac, these are:
- color;
- smell;
- consistency.
Color. Interestingly, after the distillation process, cognac is completely colorless. Manufacturers color it natural dyes(caramel, oak chips). As a result, the color of real cognac varies from wheat to light brown with amber, golden hues.
Attention! Fake cognac often has a sediment and a cloudy unnatural color.
Smell. The main value of cognac, among other things, is the refined aroma of an oak barrel, in which the drink has been waiting in the wings for a long time to be bottled. When opening it, depending on the brand and aging of cognac, an additional spicy amber is felt: vanilla, dried apricots, plums, nuts, cookies, chocolate raisins, mushrooms. This list seems to be endless. The taste of good cognac is very persistent.
A sharp, overly intrusive, sweet smell of perfume is a sign of counterfeit.
Advice! Pour cognac into a glass and wait 5-10 minutes. If cognac smells like kerosene or solvent, then you have a fake made from industrial alcohol.
Consistency. Over the years of aging cognac is enriched with tannins, which make it more viscous and oily. Not enough in good cognac fusel oils, it does not dry the larynx.
Advice! Glass of cognac, tilt and turn slightly. See how the liquid descends along the walls of the glass. High-quality cognac remains for some time on the glass in the form of a film. Then it drains slowly, concentrating into small drops.
Manufacturers and brands of cognac
There has always been a rule - the best cognac is produced in regions where grapes grow, from enterprises that process fresh, natural raw materials. For several centuries, such manufacturers as Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin, COURVOISIER, Napoleon, Tres Vieux, ExtraGrande, Vieille Reserve, Metaxa Greek brandy have occupied the leadership in this area.
In the expanses of the post-Soviet space, cognac is most famous:
- Georgia - Dagestan, Derbent, Kizlyar, Grammy, Georgian, Bagration, Erisioni;
- Ukraine - Shustov, Mark;
- Moldova - Lei, White Stork;
- Armenia - traditional Ararat, Yerevan, Ani, Noy.
Important! If, for example, the city of Kaliningrad is indicated on the label, the likelihood of acquiring counterfeit products increases significantly.
Knowing the rules for choosing cognac, you can really buy quality drink, which will not leave negative consequences for the body.
How to choose cognac - video
It's no secret that genuine cognac is produced only in the vicinity of the French city of the same name, located in the province of Charente. Nowadays, about 250 different-sized companies are engaged in this business. However, the most famous are the so-called Four Great Cognac Houses: Martell (appeared in 1715), Rémy Martin (known since 1724), Hennessy (since 1765) and Courvoisier (founded at the beginning of the 19th century). It is these famous brands of cognac that account for about 80% of the products supplied to the world market. So, we present to you, perhaps, the most famous brand of cognac.
Martell
Cognac House Martell is the oldest enterprise in its category. Its founder, Jean Martel, who moved to the cognac region from the island of Jersey, for the first few years of his company's existence, traded in everything from coal to colonial goods. But in 1726, a native of Jersey married the daughter of a major brandy merchant, as a result of which he reoriented his business to the sale, and then the production of cognac products. Throughout the XIX-XX centuries, the company remained the undisputed leader of the cognac industry, but by the mid-1990s, it began to lose ground, losing ground to the houses of Hennessy and Rémy Martin. At the same time, even today, the brainchild of a successful entrepreneur sells 22 million bottles of his famous products every year, exporting them to almost 150 countries around the world.
In addition, this house owns such brands as:
- Augier
- Briand 8c Co
- Cohiba
- Jules Robin
Remy Martin
Rémy Martin brand began its almost three hundred years of history with a small family distillery. Today it is the second largest enterprise in terms of production, annually selling more than 24 million bottles of cognac, exported to 165 countries. At the same time, the reputation of Rémy Martin is so impeccable that this manufacturer can afford not to indicate on the labels the exact age of the youngest spirits contained in the drinks sold.
Today, Rémy Martin is also the owner of a number of other brands, namely:
- Deluze
- Roulleaud Larret
- Etienne Gasqueto
Hennessy
At the origins of the Hennessy house- To date, the largest representative of the cognac industry was not a Frenchman, but an Irish military man, Richard Hennessy, who was in the service of the French King Louis XV. Subsequently, it was the owners of this company, in the framework of the fight against fakes, who were the first to supply their products not in barrels, but in bottles. They also introduced the practice of designating the number of years of cognac aging with the help of asterisks.
Unlike the other three cognac houses, Hennessy is still fully controlled by the direct descendants of its founder. The export of drinks produced directly in Hennessy distilleries exceeds 30 million bottles per year.
In addition, from the spirits provided by this cognac house, drinks are produced under the brands:
- Comandon
- Davidoff
- Denis-Mounie
- Monnet
- Pellisson
Courvoisier
The youngest of the great cognac houses, Courvoisier, in terms of sales volume, is somewhat inferior to its main competitors. Its annual export is approximately 15 million bottles. In addition, unlike the other meters of the cognac industry, Courvoisier has neither its own vineyards, nor its own cognac production, or even its own distilleries. The company buys everything necessary from the surrounding owners and craftsmen.
At the same time, this circumstance does not prevent the company from owning a number of rights to well-known brands of cognac:
- Sag pass
- Carvalho
- Comte Louis de Naives
- Curlier
- Garde Imperiale
- Grandier
- Lafontaine
- Royal Symbol
- Salignac
- Symbole Royal
- Frederick Wildman
It is curious that the history of this house is quite closely and intricately intertwined with the history of the imperial house of Bonaparte. It was this company that was the court supplier of cognac under Napoleon III. In addition, there is a legend that Napoleon I, captured after the defeat at Waterloo, either tried to find the location of British officers, generously treating them to Courvoisier cognac, or planned to escape to America on a ship carrying this very cognac. Although, in fairness, it should be noted that, according to official documents, this French enterprise appeared only 20 years after the collapse of the great emperor.
Gautier
One of the oldest cognac houses in the region, Gautier, received official permission to engage in entrepreneurial activities from King Louis XV in 1755. The uniqueness of its products is largely due to the practice of aging cognac spirits in a cellar located on a rather humid river island. Today, under the Gautier brand, about a million bottles of cognac are sold annually, supplied to almost 70 countries of the world.
Bisquit
Cognac House Bisquit founded in 1819 by twenty-year-old Alexander Biscuit, still preserves cognac spirit in its cellars dated to the year of its foundation. Although today the funds of such a reputable company as Pernod Ricard are invested in the development of the brand, the annual sales volume of Bisquit cognacs is a little more than 3 million bottles.
Delamain
Delamain Company although it was founded in England by one of the descendants of French Huguenot emigrants, Henry Delamen, however, from the moment of its creation in 1824 to the present day, no one doubts its right to be ranked among the original cognac houses. The fact is that the cognac produced by it is made exclusively from authentic French raw materials, and its exposure is made only in the Charente region. Drinks from Delamain are usually aged in old barrels in order to give them softness. Every year the company sells about 600 thousand bottles of cognac produced by it, which invariably find their admirers.
Godet Freres
Cognac House Godet Freres, officially founded in 1838, appeared thanks to the efforts of the Dutch trading dynasty Godet. A well-recognized slogan of a company that buys grape spirits entirely from local distillers is the phrase: “We choose spirits as friends are chosen.” Every year, about a million bottles of Godet Freres products reach stores in 45 countries around the world.
Hardy
Company Hardy, founded in 1863, also has foreign roots. At its origins was a native of the UK, Anthony Hardy. The Hardy house is one of the few actively engaged in the retail sale of its own products. At the same time, he is the leader in the sale of cognac in the domestic French market. The total annual sales of Hardy at times is almost 2 million bottles.
Camus
Enterprise Camus was founded in the same 1863 by the great-grandfather of the current owner of the company, Jean-Baptiste Camus. The annual sale of cognac of this brand is 4.5 million bottles of its products, exported to nearly 150 countries. In addition, Camus is the owner of the Planat cognac brand. The company's employees pay special attention to the quality of water used for irrigating vineyards. It is interesting that this cognac house, at one time, maintained very close trade ties with both Tsarist Russia and the former USSR.
Other brands worth knowing about
In addition to all the above brands, there are many other brands of cognac that can be found in specialized outlets, especially those located in the Duty free zone.
If you've had enough of world-famous cognac brands and want to try something new, you should pay attention to the following brands:
- A.E.Dor
Currently, the A.E.DOR Cognac House is owned by Jacques Riviere, a descendant of Amadeus Edouard Dora, and together with his son Pierre-Antoine, they carefully adhere to tradition and create excellent cognacs. Cognac house A.E.Dor is one of the three best cognac houses in the world. Their cognac collections are unparalleled.
- Chabasse (Bowen)
Founded in 1818 by Jean-Baptiste Chabasse, he also created excellent cognac spirits, which were the basis of the future family business. At the beginning of the 20th century, Louis Oliver Chabasse, head of the Chabasse Cognac House, traveling and promoting his cognacs around the world, met Elizabeth Bowen, who struck him with her passion for nature, wild life, courage and freedom of spirit. Returning to France, he created a blend of noble cognac with a delightful range of subtle aromas, unsurpassed charm, strong character and named this drink in honor of Elizabeth - "Bowen".
- Croizet
The Croiset family was known back in the 12th century for its extensive vineyards located in Grand Champagne (Grand Champagne). The history of the cognac house began in 1805, when Leon Croizet, holder of the Order of the Legion of Honor, started producing cognac. Croiset received the highest award of France, exploring methods of dealing with phylloxera - grape aphids. By enclosing part of the vineyards with stone fences and grafting vines with American seedlings, Leon Croiset managed to preserve valuable varieties. At first, the Croizet house was engaged in the production of inexpensive cognacs, supplying them mainly to the Scandinavian countries.
- Delon
A brand positioned at a high level, bearing the name of the French actor Alain Delon and actively promoted by him. The brand is represented by XO Reserve Speciale cognac, made from Grand Champagne, Petit Champagne and Fain Bois spirits, with an average age of thirty years.
- Denis Charpentier
The brand was refounded in 1984. It gained its fame in the wake of the “pre-crisis” growth in demand in Asian countries. The products of this house, produced on the basis of Grand Champagne and Fine Champagne cognac spirits, have won several prizes at international competitions and settled, for example, in such an important market as China, as well as in Duty Free stores. .
- Edgard Leyrat
A fourth generation small family grower owning the Domaine de Chez Maillard (Che Mayar) estate in the Feng Bois sub-region. The vineyards of "Edgar Lehr" (53 hectares), according to the head of the company, are located on an exceptionally favorable territory for the cultivation of grapes, noted in the 19th century by the famous geologist, Professor Henri Cocan, who conducted the first scientific research in Charente.
- Frapin
The Frapin family has been known as a dynasty of winemakers since 1270, whose vineyards settled in the South-West of France in the Grand Champagne region, in the Premiere Grand Cru du Cognac. The Frapin residence is located in the Fonpino family castle in the vicinity of Segonzac. For 20 generations, family members have been producing cognacs. One of the representatives of the Frapin family was the famous 16th-century writer Francois Rabelais, son of Antoine Rabelais and Catherine Frapin, author of the world-famous work Gargantua and Pantagruel.
- Gaston de Lagrange
In 1961, the famous concern Martini & Rossi founded the Cognac House Gaston de Lagrange, which got its name in honor of the French aristocrat. For the production of cognac Gaston de Lagrange, cognac spirits from the most famous regions are used: Grande Champagne, Borderies, Fain-Bois, Petit Champagne. Preference is given to Ugni Blanc grapes. Cognac is created from a perfectly matched ratio of alcohols, the maturation of which takes place in Limousin oak barrels. Alcohols that have matured to 55-65 degrees are softened with water aged in old barrels, this process is called reduction. As a result, the fortress of all cognacs is 40 degrees. Gaston de Lagrange products are exported to more than 50 countries around the world.
- hine
Hine is now part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton-Moet-Hennessy) group. The company is managed by sixth-generation descendants of Thomas Hine: cousins Bernard and Jacques Hine.
The company does not have its own vineyards and alambikov. Most spirits come from Grand Champagne and Petit Champagne, with very little from Feng Bois. Hine prefers to reduce alcohols, reducing the strength to 60% immediately after distillation. Alcohols are aged in barrels only from Tronsey oak.
- Louis Royer
The cognac house was created in 1853 by Louis Royer and is known for a wide range of quality cognacs and Pineau des Charentes. The company is located in the city of Jarnac on the banks of the Charente River, its offices and cellars are located where they were built over 150 years ago. Until recently, the company did not have its own vineyards - only in 2012, Louis Royer acquired a winery in Grand Champagne - Domain du Ménis, so grapes are bought from five of the six sites allowed for cognac production.
- Marnier
In 1827, Jean-Bastiste Lapostol founded a plant for the production of fruit liqueurs with the addition of cognac. In 1876, his granddaughter married Louis Marnier, the son of a prominent family of winemakers. Thus, the Grand Marnier company was formed, which has been owned by the Marnier-Lapostol family for more than 150 years. In 1921, Louis Marnier acquired the Château de Bourg-Charentes in the Cognac region, in the cellars of which cognac spirits began to age. Since then, the company has been the fifth largest cognac house in the region, buying brandy spirits from more than 200 producers. Today, the House of Grande Marnier is headed by the sixth generation of the Marnier-Lapostol family, namely Jacques Marnier-Lapostol. In the production of drinks, Jacques remains true to the traditions that were laid down by his ancestors. Marnier cognacs range from VS to XO.
- Meukow
Founded in 1862 by Russian citizens, the Meukov brothers, with the blessing of the Russian Tsar Alexander II, is the first and only Russian cognac house today.
- Otard
Baron Otard is the most respected cognac and has been around for 200 years. It can easily compete in terms of sales with Hennessy, Martel and Rémy Martin. The secret of this amazing drink lies in the impeccable and completely unique conditions for aging alcohol in the cellars of Château de Cognac. This castle was bought by Otard in 1796, just after the founding of the whiskey brand.
- Paulet
Founded in 1848 by Jean-Maurice Lacroix on the basis of a distillery that produced cognac back in the 18th century, this brand is now owned by the Cointreau family, owners of the Frapin house. Paulet's extensive range includes several cognacs with a noticeable presence of Borderie spirits - it is thanks to them that the style of the house is recognizable by its rich floral aroma.
- Prince Hubert de Polignac
Prince Hubert de Polignac comes from the oldest noble families in France. Their history dates back to 860 and is associated with the name of Armand de Polignac 1st. For centuries, some of the members of this family have played important role in the history of France. The honorable commitment of the Polignac family is reflected in their motto, "Sacer Custos Pacis", which can be translated as "The Sacred Guardian of Peace".
- Ragnaud Sabourin
Elite French cognac, which is very difficult to find not only on the shelves of large stores, but even in specialized alcohol boutiques. The thing is that Ragnaud-Sabourin is a small family business that produces its alcoholic masterpieces in small quantities and only for true connoisseurs quality cognac. French cognac Ragno-Sabourin (Ragnaud-Sabourin) has a very sophisticated technology production, which has long been kept secret by the owners of the house. They pass it on only by inheritance to their sons. In addition, all cognac brand Ragno-Sabouren (Ragnaud-Sabourin) are not blended, but are made from their own grapes by specialists who have devoted almost their entire conscious life to the alcoholic business. After that, French cognac is sent to long time grow old and saturate with wonderful taste qualities in their own cellars, which are constantly monitored.
- Renault
The cognac house was founded in 1835 by Jean-Antoine Reno. In the 19th century, he was one of the first to supply cognac not in barrels, as was customary before, but in bottles, thanks to which he achieved considerable fame in the markets of Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries. Acquired Castillon in 1963. In 1991, he entered the Pernod-Ricard group through its Bisquit cognac house, after which it became known as Renault-Bisquit. After that, the headquarters of the house was moved from Cognac to the former possession of "Remy Martin" - the Château de Lignier.
If you set out to get acquainted with the products of other two hundred enterprises, including those sold only to selected restaurants, you should, at least for a while, settle in a glorious French town called Cognac or in its vicinity.
