Cognac Neat or in Cocktails?
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:00 pm
Here's a tidy little article on Cognac addressing the "neat or cocktail" question.
http://www.winemag.com/Web-2012/Cognac-Straight-or-Mixed/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite
If you're going to experiment with cognac made for cocktails, I'd suggest
1. Pierre Ferrand Original '1840' Grande Champagne---slightly higher proof and formulated by PF and bar guru David Wondrich to approximate the pre-pylloxera style of cognac made in the 1800s. Bartenders love it.
2. Hine "H by Hine" VSOP---again, formulated with the idea of being used in cocktails or with mixes. Very different from the Hine Rare VSOP, which is primarily consumed neat. Try the two side by side and you'll understand.
3. Louis Royer "Force 53"--again, conceived primarily for cocktail use. 53%abv/106 Proof. Packs some authority.
There are other cognacs coming out from the big boys...like C by Courvoisier, Hennessey Black---that are made for the younger set who want more burly, "manly," assertive styles of cognac and can be consumed neat or in cocktails. I'm not generally a big fan of these myself, as they tend to be very young, rough, not very complex, and dominated by added boise' (oak tannin soup) and caramel sugar. But to each his own.
http://www.winemag.com/Web-2012/Cognac-Straight-or-Mixed/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite
If you're going to experiment with cognac made for cocktails, I'd suggest
1. Pierre Ferrand Original '1840' Grande Champagne---slightly higher proof and formulated by PF and bar guru David Wondrich to approximate the pre-pylloxera style of cognac made in the 1800s. Bartenders love it.
2. Hine "H by Hine" VSOP---again, formulated with the idea of being used in cocktails or with mixes. Very different from the Hine Rare VSOP, which is primarily consumed neat. Try the two side by side and you'll understand.
3. Louis Royer "Force 53"--again, conceived primarily for cocktail use. 53%abv/106 Proof. Packs some authority.
There are other cognacs coming out from the big boys...like C by Courvoisier, Hennessey Black---that are made for the younger set who want more burly, "manly," assertive styles of cognac and can be consumed neat or in cocktails. I'm not generally a big fan of these myself, as they tend to be very young, rough, not very complex, and dominated by added boise' (oak tannin soup) and caramel sugar. But to each his own.