search instagram twitter facebook pinterest chevron-right chevron-left email menu cross
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to menu-404 navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Let's Eat Cake

Let's Eat Cake is the lifestyle site for Millennial women. We’re your source for lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, beauty, jokes, puns, food news, coffee trends, and baking recipes.

  • Starbucks
  • Drink Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Nail Ideas
  • Weddings
  • Recipes
  • Jokes + Puns
  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms
© 2025 Let's Eat Cake
  • Starbucks
  • Drink Recipes
  • Nail Ideas
  • Holidays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St Patrick’s Day
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Weddings
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast + Brunch Recipes
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • TikTok Recipes
  • Jokes + Puns
Home » Drinks

We Ranked 16 Cognac Brands from Worst to Best

By Safwan Azeem | December 30, 2022 | Updated on November 16, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links that we collect a share of sales from. Click here for more details.
51 shares
Best Cognac Brands

When it comes to smooth liquors, brandy is close — if not on the top — of our list. One type of brandy, cognac, is known for being so smooth it goes down like water on a duck’s back. Or whatever cliche you’re in the mood for.

But, with more than 200 cognac distilleries out there, how does you hop on the cognac train? You could go with one of the “Big Four” (Courvoisier, Martell, Remy Martin, and Hennessey) and you’d be fine, we consulted with Tom Clarke, the Head of Content and Marketing at FrootBat — an industry-leading online marketplace for wine, liquor, and whiskey to go deeper.

Frootbat helped us find our way through the cheapest (yet still delectable cognacs) to the finest VSes, VSOPs, XOs, and XXOs on the market. So, go find a fireplace, break out your best snifter, and let’s get started.
Best Cognac Brands
 

What is Cognac?

Cognac is a variety of brandy that’s produced from distilled white wine. It originates from its namesake region in France.

For a brandy to be considered a cognac, it must be:

  • Made in the state of Charante in the Cognac region of France.
  • Made from white grapes low in sugar and high in acidity from one of six areas within the region. Those grapes include the most popular Ugni Blanc, as well as Colombard, Folle Blanche, Montils, Sémillon, and Folignan.
  • Distilled twice in copper pot stills. The second distillation produces the young brandy known as eau de vie.
  • Aged for at least two years in French oak barrels after distillation and blended with other eau de vies.

Best Cognac Brands - Snifter in front of Fireplance

What Is Brandy?

Like all bourbon is whiskey, not all whiskey is bourbon. Brandy and cognac are similar in this way. All cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac. That’s because brandy is a fermented fruit juice, while cognac is made from distilled white wine and must follow the rules listed above.

Brandy, on the other hand, plays a little more fast and loose with the rules. Brandy is simply fermented fruit juice. Pisco, Cognac, and applejack are all types of brandy.

Typically, brandy is:

  • A liquor produced by distilling wine which is made by fermentation of fruit juice
  • Usually has 35-60% alcohol by volume
  • Is produced by aging, coloring, or a combination of both

Best Cognac Brands - Woman holding glass

Types of Cognac

Cognac is categorized into four different grades, based on how long it has been aged. How else do you expect them get the amber color and those vanilla, caramel, and fruit notes? Actually, we have some ideas, but Wonka refuses to return our calls.

Since cognacs are blended eau de vies, the type of cognac references the age of the youngest eau de vie in the bottle.

Here are the four categories or types of cognac:

  • V.S. (Very Special): Cognac that’s aged a minimum of two years. Also known as Sélection, De Luxe, or is marked with three stars on the label. Best for cocktails.
  • V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale): Cognac aged a minimum of four years. Sometimes called Very Special Old Pale by people who didn’t like King George IV who came up with the phrase. Sometimes labeled Very Superior Special Pale, Very Old, Réserve, Vieux, or Look We Just Didn’t Like That Guy.
  • Napoleon: A type of V.S.O.P. that’s been aged for six years. The rumor goes that this is because this is the amount of time he was away from Courvoisier, his favorite cognac, but Napoleon didn’t actually drink. Yay, marketing!
  • X.O. (Extra Old): Cognac aged for at least 10 years. The Elder Millennial of cognacs, if you will. The term was reportedly coined by Hennessey in 1870.
  • X.X.O (Extra Extra Old): Cognac aged for a minimum of 14 years. It walked both ways to school. In the snow. Up a hill.
  • Hors d’Age (Beyond Age): Cognac that is often used for cognacs that are more than 30 years old. It can rent a car in the U.S.

Best Cognac Brands - Snifter on Table
 

Cognac Brands Ranked Worst to Best

16. Meukow VS Vanilla Cognac, $29.99

One Redditor called it drinkable, but simple and quite boring. However, we think this vanilla V.S. cognac from Meukow is one of the most interesting and unusual affordable cognacs. If it’s too sweet to tickle your fancy, use it to make eggnog.
Best Cognac Brands - Meukow VS Vanilla Cognac

 

15. Branson VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac, $60.99

While we think this one lacks the richness and fullness of a well-aged cognac, it’s decent for the price. Flavor-wise, think tobacco, leather, and subtle smoke. Did someone say s’mores?
Best Cognac Brands - Branson VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac

 

14. Pierre Ferrand 1840, $44.99

According to one Reddit user, this V.S. is an ideal mixing cognac. Not too expensive, good enough to sip neat, and ideal for classics.
Best Cognac Brands - Pierre Ferrand 1840

 

13. Hardy Noces d’Argent 25-Year Champagne Cognac, $221.99

According to Frootbat, Hardy’s Champagne Cognac is a full-bodied balanced digestif with flavors of tobacco, honey, leather, and raisin. Yes, they decided to intentionally go with raisin. They are not allowed near our cookies.
Best Cognac Brands - Hardy Noces d'Argent Champagne Cognac

 

12. Pasquinet XO Grande Champagne Cognac, $111.99

This value cognac — yes, we know — brings forth a mature eaux-de-vie that’s aged for over a decade. It’s an intense and complex cognac thanks to floral notes, spice, and hints of ginger, oak, cherry, and honey. Where is our butler with our fuzzy slippers, though?
Best Cognac Brands - Pasquinet XO Grande Champagne Cognac

 

11. D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac, $51.99

Look, we could top the list with the $20,000 bottle D’USSÉ’s created for Jay-Z’s 50th birthday, but Frootbat guided us towards this slightly more afforable bottle instead. The full-bodied blend has hints of sweet oak, cinnamon, as well as a complex interplay between honey, almond, dried apricot, and dates. We don’t think it’s a fruitcake in disguise, but we’ll have to order another bottle to be sure.
Best Cognac Brands - D'UssBest Cognac Brands - D'USEE VSOP Cognace VSOP Cognac

 

10. Jean Luc Pasquet L’Organic 10 Cognac Grande Champagne, $103.99 

A XO that’s certified organic — Jean Luc Pasquet’s XO is fruity, floral, and unashamedly French. (The beret is invisible.) You can expect rich stone fruits, figs, and a faint oakiness from this warming liquor.
Best Cognac Brands - Jean Luc Pasquet L'Organic 10 Cognac Grande Champagne

 

9. Bache Gabrielsen XO Premium Cognac, $148.99

Bache’s Gabrielsen’s Premium XO cognac has been aged an average of 20 years. Frootbat describes it as having an oaky, toasted aroma with strong hints of herbal fruit, prune, and banana and a tannic finish. Not the best, but seriously smooth.
Best Cognac Brands - Bache Gabrielsen XO Premium Cognac

 

8. Francois Peyrot Heritage Tres Vieille 50-Year-Old Grande Champagne Cognac, $260.99

Taste-wise, you can expect woody, spicy, and rich with a robust, caramel, and vanilla from this complex 50-year-old cognac.
Best Cognac Brands - Francois Peyrot Heritage Tres Vieille Grande ChampBest Cognac Brands - Francois Peyrot Heritage Tres Vieille Grande Champagne Cognacagne Cognac

 

7. Frapin Extra Grande Champagne Premier Cru Cognac, $678.99

A spendy and indulgent blend from Frapin, this cognac is defined by its port-styled sherry influence an intense herbal tobacco aroma. It’s decadent and elegant. Which is more than we can say for methol.
Best Cognac Brands - Frapin Extra Grande Champagne Premier Cru Cognac

 

6. Hine Rare VSOP, $67.99

Considering the fact that this bottle is one-tenth the price of the prior one should tell you how smooth it is and a bit about its phenomenal taste. Or you can buy a bottle and do the taste test for yourself. Sounds like a win-win.
Best Cognac Brands - Hine Rare VSOP

 

5. Camus Extra Dark & Intense Cognac, $599.99

For true connoisseurs, this bad boy is more than just an iconic box/decanter. The Extra from Camus is an elevated, concentrated cognac that foregrounds dark chocolate, rich butter, and toasted oak. Aged between 30 and 50 years, it’s a tremendous sipping cognac. Even if the bottle designed was inspired by the first season of House of the Dragon.
Best Cognac Brands - Camus Extra Dark & Intense Cognac

 

4. Martell Chanteloup XXO Cognac, $999.99

Most would say the L’Or de Jean Martell is the finest cognac, but it’s almost impossible to try, let alone acquire, so here’s the XXO. The average age of the eau-de-vie in the bottle (it’s got 450 of them) is 14 years old and Frootbt thinks it’s an expression of the very best cognac terroir. Spicy, complex, and the floral design on the bottle isn’t half bad either. It’s also not the spendiest one on the list!
Best Cognac Brands - Martell Chanteloup XXO Cognac

 

3. Courvoisier Initiale Extra Cognac, $567.99

Deeply rich and complex, Courvoisier’s Initiale Extra Hors d’Age cognac is a traditionalist’s blend. With forest aromas, oaky woodiness, and a tart citrus undertone you can pretend you live in the woods while sipping this one. At least until your neighbor starts with the lawnmower at 7am again.
Best Cognac Brands - Courvoisier Initiale Extra Cognac

 

2. Hennessy Paradis Cognac, $1048.99

Hennessey’s Paradis blends more than eaux-de-vie, some that might go back as far as 1880. Frootbt’s team describes the flavors as featuring apricot, raisin, and a touch of peppery cinnamon. Sounds delicious but you’d think for a grand they wouldn’t forget the e at the end of paradise. C’est la vie.
Best Cognac Brands - Hennessy Paradis Cognac

 

1. Rémy Martin Louis XIII, $3389.99

When it comes to really fancy bottles of alcohol, Louis XIII is up there when it comes to luxury cognac. And, it sounds awfully expensive until you compare it to the world’s most expensive cognacs which go for more than $100,000.
Remy Martin’s Louis XIII blends 1200 eaux-de-vies from the exclusive Grande Champagne terrior and Frootbat describes it as sublimely smooth and surreptitiously sweet. Unlike its namesake.
Best Cognac Brands - Remy Martin Louis XIII

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Safwan Azeem
Safwan Azeem
Safwan Azeem is a musician/songwriter and copywriter. He did his majors in Computer Science but because of his love for churning out words, he now covers food and drink news, entertainment, and gaming content at Let's Eat Cake.

Safwan has written for blogs like American Songwriter, TV Over Mind, Diamond Lobby, and Punch Debt in the Face. If you can't find him writing killer sales copies, it's probably because he's out writing another love song or playing another acoustic gig. 

Connect with him on Upwork or check out more of his work on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Safwan Azeem
Latest posts by Safwan Azeem (see all)
  • The 16 Most Ridiculous Bosses from 90s Video Games That You Probably Forgot About - March 13, 2023
  • 10 Skrewball Whiskey Drinks for True Peanut Butter Fans - March 6, 2023
  • We Had an Expert Rank the Best Gin Brands So You Know What to Ask for in Your Martini - February 13, 2023
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon and other sites that we collect a share of sales from.
51 shares

Read This Next

16 Rye Whiskey Brands Ranked From “No Thanks” to “Pour Me Another”

16 Rye Whiskey Brands Ranked From “No Thanks” to “Pour Me Another”

How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned Cocktail

16 Scotch Whisky Brands Ranked From Terrible to Terrific

16 Scotch Whisky Brands Ranked From Terrible to Terrific

25 Bourbon Brands Ranked Worst to Best

25 Bourbon Brands Ranked Worst to Best

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Trending Now

Footer

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Contact
  • News
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
© 2016–2025 Let's Eat Cake
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
51 shares
51 shares