List of Cognacs

Cognac is a type of brandy traditionally produced in the Cognac region of France. It is made by distilling fruit or wine twice in copper pots. Then it is aged at least 30 months in oak barrels. A letter grade system is used to describe cognac: V.S. (Very Superior) is aged between two and a half and four and half years;, V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) is aged between four and six and a halfyears; X.O (Extremely Old) is aged between five and a half and 40 years. There are many brands of cognac available, depending on your taste and budget.

Camus

  • Camus is produced in the small Borderies, France growing area. The company has been headed by the Camus family since 1863. A notable invention of the Camus company is Josephine pour Femme, the first cognac, according to Camus, "specificially blended and packaged to suit feminine tastes."

Courvoisier

  • Courvoisier has a royal heritage. The company, began by Emmanuel Courvoisier in the 19th century, was the sole supplier to the Imperial Courts of France, earning it the nickname of the "Cognac of Napoleon." Rapper Busta Rhymes had a hit song promoting the cognac called, "Pass the Courvoisier."

Hennessy

  • Hennessy cognac has been manufactured since 1765 when Irishman Richard Hennessy was gifted a piece of land in Cognac, France and began producing cognac from the Fillioux family. Hennessy is often called the "master blender." This cognac is extremely popular with the rap and hip-hop community. Artists including Snoop Dog, Digital Underground, P.Diddy, and Kanye West have referenced Hennessy in their lyrics.

Martell

  • Martell, started in 1715 by Jean Martell, is the oldest of the great cognac houses. In 1912, Martell introduced the cordon bleu cognac, targeted at cognac connoisseurs. Martell features signature bottles, including commemorative Ritz, Putman, Swarovski, and Mansau designs. Their commitment to art extends to awarding the "Martell Artist of the Year," with over 20 artists honored so far.

Remy Martin

  • Remy Martin is fine champagne cognac, a unique type of cognac produced by a grapes from the Champagne region of France and protected by French law. This cognac, a favorite with connoisseurs, was started in 1724 by the winemaker Remy Martin. The premiere Remy Martin cognac is the Louis XIII, served to Queen Elizabeth during her 1957 visit to France, and to Winston Churchill during his 1951 election celebration.