The Best Cognacs For Every Budget
The French call it "the water of life," so...

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You've probably heard Cognac shouted out in a Drake song. And maybe you know it's a key ingredient in a classic sidecar cocktail. And maybe you've seen a relative sipping on a glass after dinner. Cognac has a reputation for being classy and expensive, if a little dated. But, like, do you actually know what Cognac is?
You can think of the relationship between Cognac and brandy as similar to the one between Champagne and sparkling wine. Cognac is a type of distilled wine (so, a type of brandy). But what sets Cognac apart from all other types of brandy are the strict regulations producers must follow when using grapes from the Cognac region of southern France.
At its core, Cognac is an aged grape-based spirit. But depending on the bottle you buy, the taste can vary significantly. Younger Cognacs resemble the grapes more closely with fruity and floral flavors. The longer it ages, the more the casks impart dry and spice notes. It's also a surprisingly versatile spirit: you can just as easily mix it into a cocktail as you can sip it neat to enjoy the expression to the fullest.
Beyond just from a flavor perspective, Cognacs also vary when it comes to price. You don't necessarily need to make a major investment to enjoy high-quality Cognac. You can splurge on some special bottles and also ball out on a budget. Don't know where to start? We've rounded up our eight favorite bottles of Cognac that span a wide price range.
Want more bottle recommendations? Check out our favorite whiskeys, tequilas, and gins.


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