CrispyCritter Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I'm rather surprised that I haven't found any sites dedicated to reviews about brandies. I can find a huge selection of them in Chicagoland, and there are some (e.g. Courvoisier) that are heavily advertised, yet reviews are hard to find.When I've tried them, I've steered away from the heavily advertised brands. I'm interested in quality, not "bling-bling" (whatever that is).The two I've tried are Guy Lhéraud Cognac (the VSOP Fine Petite Champagne version), and Domaine Le Basque Bas-Armagnac. I've had their Hors d'Âge (=XO) version and loved it - and now I have a 1982 vintage, bottled 2004, that I'll be opening soon. Both of them are small producers, and their prices are quite reasonable.Does anyone else here have any recommendations (or ones to avoid)? I would certainly recommend the ones I've tried so far, in any case. Darroze Armagnacs look very interesting, but carry a hefty price premium; are they worth it? And then I've seen Ararat (an Armenian brandy) that's available at a rather low price... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barturtle Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I've always liked the Pierre Ferrand Selection des Anges, though I tend more towards calvados where brandy is concerned-Busnel Hors d'Age is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I enjoy most Cognac and Armagnac but I find the vast majority I use in cooking rather than drinking. Usually with a very slowly roasted piece of meat. So I usually go for moderate not the ultra expensive versions of these.Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcheer Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I guess I am guilty of enjoying the major brands and have never investigated any further. My favorites are Remy-Martin (I have a bottle of XO that I bought in 1990 - open and occasionally sampled) and Courvossier VSOP. But, I can even enjoy Christian Brothers brandy. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_call_me_Ed Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I used to buy the Remy-Martin VSOP, I think I had one bottle of it about a year ago when I started getting back into whiskey/spirits. I have been thinking about getting a bottle. The other day I bought two Japanese brandies. Nikka Apple Brandy VSOP and the other Dompierre by Nikka VSOP, which is a grape brandy. I think I like the Apple Brandy better, anyway, I want to empty the bottle so I can use it as a decanter...EdPs. I am not saying you should rush out and try these, just that I have bought them. BTW, the Dompierre comes in a VO version. It comes in big four liter PET bottles. I wish I could get, say, Even Williams black label in one of those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 I had occasion recently to be at an open bar event which had Martell Cordon Bleu on offer. While I am not a regular Cognac drinker, that was too good to pass up. To me, MCB is near perfect. While it's not cheap, it's also not as costly as some and seems to have everything I want in a Cognac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BourbonJoe Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 At the Philadelphia Whiskey Fest, I had the opportunity to try some Hennesey "Paradis". Unbelievable!!!!!!! But I'll never be able to afford it. I was glad to have the chance to taste it, since I've only even seen it on one other occasion and that was in the Hotel Intercontinental in Frankfort Germany. They wanted 50 bucks a shot for it. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Smith Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 The two I've tried are Guy Lhéraud Cognac (the VSOP Fine Petite Champagne version), and Domaine Le Basque Bas-Armagnac. I've had their Hors d'Âge (=XO) version and loved it - and now I have a 1982 vintage, bottled 2004, that I'll be opening soon. Both of them are small producers, and their prices are quite reasonable.Does anyone else here have any recommendations (or ones to avoid)? I would certainly recommend the ones I've tried so far, in any case. Darroze Armagnacs look very interesting, but carry a hefty price premium; are they worth it? And then I've seen Ararat (an Armenian brandy) that's available at a rather low price... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I am a big fan of cognacs. Then again I am a big fan of a lot of sprits.Anyway, some I own and have tried that are all excellentRemy Martin XO (RM VSOP is average at best compared to their XO)Maison Brillet Tres Vieille Reserve XOTessoron Lot 29 (I tried this at a wine tasting and it was amazing!)Delamain's Réserve de la Famille (a single barrel from a single estate, I have it, but have not sampeld it yet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jburlowski Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I'd second the votes for Remy-Martin although of late I've been more a fan of Hine.For something a little different, try a Spanish brandy (Carlos I is my favorite). As well as being great on its own, this time of year its the essential ingredient of my favorite holiday drink: brandied port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted November 21, 2006 Share Posted November 21, 2006 I have been to a couple of DISCUS events where there is a very generously stocked open bar. Being the ink-stained wretch that I am, I usually look for the best thing there, without prejudice as to type. Frequently it is Martell Cordon Bleu, which I also used to drink for free when Brown-Forman had the U.S. distribution and they were a client of mine (this was many years ago). I can say that I have a lot of experience with the product and have never paid for a drop of it, which makes it taste twice as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 I've never had the Cordon Bleu but would like to try it. Nicholas Faith writes in his Cognac history that Martell seeks a relatively neutral palate, drier and not as fruity as some of the other marques. The cut they take is accordingly narrow (again, relatively).Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Smith Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 Brillet VSOP is a great cognac compared to most other VSOP's! Shouldn't be too pricey either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fussychicken Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Picked up a rather unique brandy this last week in California made by Bonny Doon Vineyards called Calvadoon. While I am by no means a wine expert, it is my understanding that these guys are are somewhat famous (infamous?) in the wine world for their wild artistic labels and their early adoption of screw caps. (Their wines taste pretty good to me as well.)In any case, after trying out some of their wine, I was intrigued by a listing on their roster of a premium brandy. It is a mix of 86% apple brandy with 14% pear brandy aged for 13 years. I was further taken aback when I saw that it was 93 proof instead of the standard 80 proof. They couldn't let me taste it because of some crazy CA law, but it had a fantastic nose. Needless to say I picked up a bottle of this instead of a bottle of wine! Good to see other unique, well aged, and well proofed spirits besides bourbon being produced right here in the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BourbonJoe Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 At the Philly Whiskeyfest I tried a fairly large variety of cognacs. Most were XO types or about that quality level. The best one I had was COURVOISIER EXCLUSIF COGNAC. Joe :usflag: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcheer Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 My two favorite cognacs (I have never tried any of the obscure ones) are Remy Martin and Courvossier. I enjoy Remy for its elegance and Courvossier for its brilliant flavors. I currently have a Remy XO that I purchased in Martinique in 1990 and a Courvossier VSOP.Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fussychicken Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Looking around this weekend, it appears that Germain-Robin is the most popular premium brand of US produced brandy. (So popular in fact that their prices are almost to cognac levels!) Has anyone here had any? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polyamnesia Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Picked up a rather unique brandy this last week in California made by Bonny Doon Vineyards called Calvadoon. While I am by no means a wine expert, it is my understanding that these guys are are somewhat famous (infamous?) in the wine world for their wild artistic labels and their early adoption of screw caps. (Their wines taste pretty good to me as well.)In any case, after trying out some of their wine, I was intrigued by a listing on their roster of a premium brandy. It is a mix of 86% apple brandy with 14% pear brandy aged for 13 years. I was further taken aback when I saw that it was 93 proof instead of the standard 80 proof. They couldn't let me taste it because of some crazy CA law, but it had a fantastic nose. Needless to say I picked up a bottle of this instead of a bottle of wine! Good to see other unique, well aged, and well proofed spirits besides bourbon being produced right here in the USA.wow, sounds interesting! how much was that bottle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fussychicken Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I got it for $50 at their tasting room. They said that you could only get it there, but it appears that if you live in Cali you can have a bottle shipped to you: https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/wine_catalog/calvadoon---premium-pot-still-brandy---bca-onlyb.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Looking around this weekend, it appears that Germain-Robin is the most popular premium brand of US produced brandy. (So popular in fact that their prices are almost to cognac levels!) Has anyone here had any?I have the XO, the single barrel Colombard, and the Anno Domini 2000.The SB colombard is very fragrant and light, but a nice brandy nonetheless. The XO is SUBERB! AD 2000 is unopened! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polyamnesia Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I got it for $50 at their tasting room. They said that you could only get it there, but it appears that if you live in Cali you can have a bottle shipped to you: https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/wine_catalog/calvadoon---premium-pot-still-brandy---bca-onlyb.htmmyabe i can get my friend in california to get it, then ship it to me (ssshhhhh):grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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