I'm primarily a beer and scotch guy. When it comes to scotch the extra cash for older stuff just never justifies the extra money at least for me anyway. I've discovered Remy Martin cognac and really like it. I buy the VSOP at around 50 bucks. Is the XO at about 150 worth the extra cash for a special occasions bottle? What other brands should I try?

I’ve had a few differnt XOs, and won’t do them again. If I’m spending ~$100 or more, it will be on a Redbreast Irish whiskey.

In cognac, I stock the Pierre Ferrand Ambre.

Redbreast was 65 bucks down here last time I bought it. Am I missing something?

As far as the value of the more-aged versions, that's a decision you have to make for yourself after trying a few different ones.

The "cognac" label is restricted under French law to apply only to spirits produced according to certain methods in a small region around the town of Cognac.

If you want to expand your brandy horizons, you could try armagnac (grape brandy from further south in France), calvados (apple and sometimes pear brandy from northern France), or brandy de Jerez (pronounced "heh-reth", grape brandy from Spain). They're all good and all a little (or sometimes a lot) different.

VSOP's are, in my general experience, worth the money if you enjoy cognac. XO's, not so much. That said, an exception to that rule would be the Martel Cordon Bleu, which is just....amazing. I like Remy's VSOP & 1738 both quite a bit, and Courviosier, and Martel. It's a fun adventure.

I drink E&J VSOP brandy. It's $12.99 for a fifth so I guess my tastes aren't highbrow.

I'm a scotch guy too.
I went through a tasting of a good assortment of cognac , VSOPs and XOs and was surprised at how much I liked 'em, especially Remy.

I liked the high end stuff about equally with some of my favorite $80 - $100 20 year single malts.

So.. in short, yummy, but worth $80 - $100 a pop, not the $200 - $250 the French lovers charge for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Redbreast was 65 bucks down here last time I bought it. Am I missing something?

That is the 12-year old. 15-year is ~$100 (here in CT), and the 21-year is ~$265

I am a whisky/whiskey drinker. For brandy/cognac I recommend Remy 1783/1738. Even better for the price is the spanish Torres, and Lustao. The latter two deliver excellent flavor for about $20. I am not widely experienced in the french as I mostly use cheap and small quantities for cooking french onion soup. Avoid the french Brenne whisky unless you like the taste of overripe apples and cocoa.

I think that you can find good value from Spain. Armenian is good also.

How about the Costco XO for $50?

quote:

Originally posted by mr kablammo:
I am a whisky/whiskey drinker. For brandy/cognac I recommend Remy 1783/1738. Even better for the price is the spanish Torres, and Lustao. The latter two deliver excellent flavor for about $20. I am not widely experienced in the french as I mostly use cheap and small quantities for cooking french onion soup. Avoid the french Brenne whisky unless you like the taste of overripe apples and cocoa.

I think that you can find good value from Spain. Armenian is good also.

Someone else who understands the whiskey/whisky distinction. Nice.

If I pay the big bucks for a bottle of smooth brandy, VSOP or Cognac, I find that it does not last that long.

quote:

Originally posted by onegeek:
How about the Costco XO for $50?

I expected it to be better than it was. While « worth » is subjective I like the Rémy XO better and would rather spend the extra getting what I like rather than buying cheaper products that don’t really impress me.

Cognac is a winter thing in our house; certainly have not had wide experience in sampling them. I also like Remy 1783, but have had difficulty finding it around here. Remy VSOP is available and that’s what I turn to.

I like cognac, but it isn't my favorite high end hooch. I'm sure going from $50 up to the next tier gets a noticeable improvement.

....ah, the good old days circa 1968 when a jug of almost drinkable Vino Fino could be had for
79 cents a GALLON!!!.....