If you’re a whiskey drinker (especially bourbon) and you’ve never really given cognac a shot, shame on you. While whiskey is a spirit made from some type of mash of fermented grains (barley for single malt Scotch or corn and other grains for bourbon), cognac is technically a brandy made from distilled white wine. The spirit must be distilled two times in copper pot stills and matured in French oak casks for at least two years.
Also, like how bourbon can only be made in the US, Scotch can only be made in Scotland, and tequila can only be made in Jalisco (and a few select Mexican states), the be considered a cognac, the brandy must be produced in the wine-growing region of Charente and Charente-Maritime in and around Cognac, France.
Even though it’s made from grapes, aging imparts similar aromas and flavors found in bourbon. These include (but are not limited to) caramel, vanilla beans, honey, dried fruits, nuts, and wintry spices. If that’s not enough to get you to try cognac, we don’t really know what else to tell you.
We get that diving into a new spirit can be difficult. You don’t want to just buy a random bottle and hope that you’ll like it. Some are uncomfortably expensive. Luckily, there are a myriad of great cognac bottles available for under $100. We picked ten of the best and detailed them below. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Hennessy VSOP Privilege Cognac
Hennessy is one of the biggest cognac houses and one of the most well-known. Its VSOP has been produced since 1817 when James Hennessy crafted it for England’s King George IV. It’s known for its complexity and balance. A fruity nose of crisp apples, dried fruits, and vanilla gives way to notes of caramel, pipe tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, and rich oak. It’s a classic sipping cognac that you’ll want to always keep on hand.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $59-69
Rémy Martin 1738 Cognac
This surprisingly inexpensive expression comes from the superior cognac makers at Rémy Martin. Named for the 1738 Accord Royal for excellence that was given by King Louis XV to Rémy Martin in 1738. This blend is known for its nose featuring dried fruits, vanilla beans, and a herbal hint. The palate continues this trend with raising, toasted vanilla beans, and an oaky, warming finish.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $55-70
ABK6 VSOP Cognac
This single-estate cognac comes from the Fin Bois region of France. Owned by the Abecassis family, the blend is made up of Fins Bois, Petite Champagne, and Grand Champagne eaux-de-vie. The result is a slightly spicy, highly herbal, floral cognac with flavors like dried fruits, rich oak, sweet caramel, vanilla beans, and gentle spices. It’s a warming, lightly spicy cognac you’ll want on your home bar or bar cart.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $39-59
Hardy Legend 1863 Cognac
Hardy Legend 1863 gets its name from the year the brand was founded. This blend of Ugni Blanc eaux-de-vie that was matured between two and twelve years is known for its complex, well-balanced flavor profile featuring candied orange peels, coffee beans, caramel, vanilla, and oaky wood. It’s a sweet, rich, multi-layered cognac that deserves to be sipped slowly on a cool evening.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $50-70
Bisquit & Dubouche VSOP Cognac
This award-winning VSOP is a blend of Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fin Bois, and Bom Boise aux-de-vies. Each matured in a minimum of four years. This results in a spicy, warming cognac that begins with a nose of honey, cinnamon sugar, dried fruits, and light floral aromas. The palate is loaded with notes of dried orange peel, tropical fruits, vanilla, oak, and light spices. It’s a complex sipper you won’t soon forget.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $69-89
Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
Courvoisier is more than just the drink of choice for Tom Meadows’ “The Ladies Man”. It’s also one of the most highly regarded cognac houses ever. If you’re looking for high-quality juice from this house that’s under $100, look no further than Courvoisier VSOP. This award-winning cognac is a blend of four select crus.
It’s known for its complex, balanced profile featuring notes of stone fruits, floral flavors, vanilla, toffee, and light spices. It’s sweet, spicy, and highly memorable.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $35-45
Martell Blue Swift Cognac
If you’re a bourbon drinker and you only want to buy one cognac, make it this one. This is definitely the whiskey drinker’s choice. This is because this VSOP is finished in ex-bourbon barrels. A nose of caramelized bananas, crisp apples, vanilla, and floral aromas greet you before your first sip.
Drinking it reveals light spices, vanilla, caramel candy, and oaky wood. It’s the kind of cognac that requires multiple samplings to find all the flavors. Sip it slowly and often to unlock them all.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $49-59
Hine H Cognac
Hine H might be the best value cognac on the market. This blend of twenty Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne eaux-de-vies matured for at least four years has won multiple awards and is readily available for less than $50. It starts with a ton of orchard fruit, dried fruit, and light spices on the nose.
The palate is highlighted by oaky wood, cinnamon, dried fruits, and vanilla. Fruity, spicy, and sweet, this is an exceptional cognac blend. It’s just as good as the base for a vieux carre, sidecar, Sazerac, or as a sipper neat or on the rocks.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $35-55
A de Fussigny Grand Champagne VSOP Cognac
Made up of only Premier Cru eaux-de-vies that were aged for at least four years, this VSOP is known for its complex, lightly floral, memorable flavor profile. This award winner begins with a nose of candied orange peels, dried fruit, vanilla beans, cinnamon, and oak.
The palate continues this complexity with notes of almond cookies, candied orange peels, wintry spices, chocolate, and vanilla. It’s a balanced sipper that you’ll go back to again and again.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $60-70
D’Usse Cognac VSOP
In a sea of gimmicky celebrity-driven brands, D’Usse is a welcome respite because not only is it a good cognac, it’s actually great. Famed rapper Jay-Z is one of its owners, but you definitely shouldn’t let that stop you from trying this surprisingly well-priced cognac.
This blend of eaux-de-vie that’s been matured for at least four and a half years features a nose of cinnamon, cloves, oak, and vanilla. Drinking it reveals hints of honey, cinnamon sugar, candied nuts, vanilla, and sticky toffee pudding. It’s sweet, indulgent, and has just the right amount of spice. It’s a great sipper on an unseasonably cool evening.
- Origin: France
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $49-59
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