We’re proud to admit it: We love Jeopardy. We’ll turn on the TV, with a basketball game or Netflix in mind, and “Oh, Jeopardy is on, I’ll stick around for a few minutes.” Inevitably, we read the questions (er, answers?) out loud, and whoever is at home — family, friends, the guy fixing the kitchen sink…they all wander in, or chime in with their response from the next room. It’s competitive, a little quirky, and relaxing. (Much like cognac, but we’ll get to that soon).

A month or so ago, we were watching Jeopardy on television. Beer in hand. And then came, 

“Motorcyclists know this name for the cocktail of Cognac, triple sec & lemon juice.”

A buddy answered excitedly, “What is a Sidecar?”

He was right.

I looked at the beer in my hand. Suddenly, I realized it was…fine, but I was craving something a little more interesting. Unique, but casual. Nuanced, but relaxing. 

Cognac checks every box, and a Sidecar cocktail sounded ideal. Tart, cold, with layered notes of smoke and dried fruit. Almost like a smoother whiskey sour. Plus: Three ingredients? Easy. Cognac is a staple in our liquor cabinet, though we didn’t reach for it as often until recently, when we learned a little more about its variety and awesome versatility. Another friend chimed in, “I need to learn what cognac to use.” Lifting the empty bottle of triple sec, she added, “Can you drink cognac straight?”

As they say on Jeopardy, “What is The Beginner’s Guide to Cognac” and “what is absolutely”? So here we are, with a guide to help you understand and enjoy cognac. 

What is Cognac?

Cognac is distilled wine. Just like champagne is sparkling wine, but only made in the Champagne region of France, cognac is a brandy made in the Cognac region of southwestern France. 

How is Cognac Made? 

There are rules. Cognac grapes are grown from exclusive varieties of white grapes (so the wine is light, acidic, and colorless…it’s called eau de vie or “water of life”). Cognac must be 90% eau de vie, and the last 10% can be from other grapes.

To be reborn as cognac, the wine is distilled twice in copper pot stills. Then, it is aged for at least two years in oak barrels. *Environmental note: The wood for these barrels is grown in sustainable forests. Once it’s done aging, it is often mixed with other aged eau de vies to create a customized blend for a brand…in the world of cognac, these brands are called “houses”.

Understanding the Types of Cognac

Think of these labels the way we’ve named different generations, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z — in the end, it just describes their age. Yet, each label carries with it certain characteristics and reputations that can be clues to help you decide what suits your palate.

VS Cognac - Very Special

We always keep this on hand. VS is the youngest cognac, but still aged at least two years in the barrels, and it has a bright, fresh, zippier fruit flavor. It also carries a little more spice than its older brethren. A good cognac to use for cocktails, VS won’t overpower your other ingredients, but is bold flavored enough to be the star. It can also be sipped neat, on the rocks, or even with a splash of Cola. 

We use VS for our Sidecars, and other classic cognac cocktails like the French 75. (Both recipes are below). 

Just testing the waters of cognac? This is a great place to start. We recommend picking up a bottle of Hennessy VS for an excellent entry into the world of cognac. There’s a reason you know this brand. Their VS cognac is bright, vivacious, with whiffs of almond, fruit, and a warm sweetness, almost like someone blew out a vanilla candle before closing the bottle.

Sidecar Recipe

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• ½ oz triple sec

• 1.5 oz Cognac

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. 

2. Mix all ingredients and shake until the outside is cold and frosty (about 30 seconds).

3. Strain into a coupe glass, and to be extra traditional, pour the remaining mixture into a shot glass and serve it alongside…et voilà, the reason it’s called a Sidecar!

French 75

• 1 oz gin

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• ½ oz simple syrup

• 3 oz champagne or prosecco

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Mix all ingredients but the champagne in the strainer. Shake for 30 seconds until frosty.

3. Strain into coupe glass and top with champagne or prosecco

VSOP Cognac - Very Superior Old Pale

This cognac is aged at least four years, but usually a VSOP has aged more like 5-12 years in order to capture the distinct woodsy flavors of the oak barrels and to allow a rounder, more voluptuous cognac to emerge. It truly tastes more mature. You’ll sip on smoother notes of oak and spice. Inhale and breathe in the aroma of the VSOP. You’ll discover leather, often vanilla or toffee, and floral wisps that smell like flowering fruit trees. How do your drink a VSOP? Slowly. Thoughtfully. Neat or on ice, usually. Try the Rémy Martin VSOP and remember this house has made cognac since the 1700’s. You’re literally tasting history. It’s delicious.

XO Cognac - Extra Old

XO cognac is at least 10 years old (some may be much older), and this is a cognac for sipping. 

Courvoisier makes an impressive bottle of XO with gorgeous depth…legend has it Napoleon himself visited and took crates back with him to St. Helena.  Packed with hints of orange, vintage oak, and a golden, almost caramel layer, this bottle is elegant and modern at the same time. Remember that 10% that’s allowed to be other grapes? This is where XO cognacs take on the silky, spicy, or complex flavors of other luscious grape varietals. XO cognac often includes petite Champagne, rich Borderies, or (in the case of Rèmy Martin) spicier Folle Blanche.

The Art of Tasting Cognac

1. Choose the right glassware

The right glass to drink cognac is either a tulip-shaped glass, brandy snifter, or — if you’re drinking it on the rocks — a tumbler with room for at least two ice cubes.Cognac takes years to make. This is a drink to savor. Look at the color, and remember the crafters take great pride in getting the exact hue, 

2. Take your time

Cognac takes years to make. This is a drink to savor. Look at the color, and remember the crafters take great pride in getting the exact hue, 

3. Nosing to detect aromas

Lower your nose into the glass. Inhale with your mouth open (it allows the scents to linger on the tongue, your taste buds and nose work in incredible harmony). Do a yoga breath if that’s your thing. You’ll peel back so many gorgeous notes in cognac. Enjoy it!

4. Savor the taste and identify flavor notes

There’s no right or wrong here. No one actually squeezed a fig or poured toffee into the bottle, so explore what you taste. Think of how the cognac is made and look for sharper notes (young oak barrels vs. the older ones used later in the process). Think of the grapes used and how they change in the sun, or when fermented into eau de vie. Don’t put pressure on yourself, this is part of the art of cognac. You and your Jeopardy buddies may all find different flavors buried in the sip, but that’s the fun!

Learning to recognize certain aspects of cognac is like learning to admire any other liquor…it can take time, exploration of different bottles and varieties, and trusting yourself to know what you like and appreciate. Keep your cognac room temperature, be willing to try different houses, and remember that we at Cox’s and Evergreen are always here to discuss, guide your search, and of course, answer the $800 Jeopardy column before you do.