Rating of the best cognacs for 2022

Alcohol today can be purchased at a variety of points of sale, ranging from "convenience stores", specialized alcohol stores or large chain retailers. There is also a category of alcohol boutiques focused on the sale of very expensive alcoholic products from manufacturers with a long history. Such a wide choice can confuse an inexperienced consumer, and he may purchase a low-quality product. In order to choose a worthy cognac, not only knowledge of varieties and technical intricacies of production is necessary, but also practical skills to distinguish high-quality products from fakes. This article will help you make the right choice so that the purchase does not disappoint.

How to choose a quality cognac?

It should be understood that in the manufacture of cognac, 9-10 liters of grape wine are spent on the production of 1 liter of the final product, it depends on the alcohol content and various useful substances in the wine. Cognac matures from 2 to 50 years, respectively, this product cannot be cheap, and you should not buy cognac, the price of which is half below the market.

It is also necessary to take into account the age of aging of the drink when buying - the older it is, the more expensive the cognac. Cognac is subjected to many years of aging in specially made barrels made of special oak wood.

There is also a cheaper way to get cognac - use a blend, that is, a mixture of different alcohols. The drink obtained in this way is not highly rated among connoisseurs of the original, aged cognac. The most massive, at an affordable price, on the market is cognac aged from 3 to 7 years. More expensive brands that produce drinks aged 10 years or more are intended for true fans and collectors who are able to pay a high price for a bottle. Most consumers will like and purse cognac aged no more than 4-5 years.

When choosing cognac in a store, you should pay attention to the quality of the bottle: there should be no chips or noticeable irregularities in the glass, the glass itself is transparent without foreign inclusions. It is better if the label is glued evenly, without smudges, and the quality of printing should not be too low. Cork for high-quality cognac is made from the bark of a cork tree, or by pressing from the same bark.A plastic cork indicates either a counterfeit or an extremely low-quality drink. The drink itself in the bottle should not have sediment and foreign objects. If you turn a bottle of cognac upside down, then slightly oily smudges will appear on the inside of the bottle, which indicates the quality of the contents.

When opening a bottle, you need to carefully remove the cork without crushing it and inhale the aroma of the drink - there should be no unpleasant odors that are uncharacteristic of such a drink. Next, cognac can be poured into a glass and, taking it in hand, warm it up slightly. Real cognac begins to “play”, gradually opening its bouquet, delighting the buyer with a refined aroma and exquisite taste.

What is the difference between cognac and brandy

Sometimes people think that cognac and brandy are one and the same. However, it is not. There are four main criteria by which these two elite drinks are distinguished: cost, aroma, taste and quality.

The price of original French cognac exceeds the price of the most expensive brandy. If brandy can be bought for 1000 rubles or even less, then this will not work with the original cognac.

The aroma of cognac and brandy can be distinguished from the first note. Real cognac, infused in oak barrels, absorbs its smells and is enriched with woody and earthy notes. Brandy does not have bright aromas; the nuances of berries and fruits are barely audible.

The taste and astringency of cognac, again, is given by an oak barrel. In brandy, the taste is formed against the background of berries and fruits with the addition of caramel, which gives a slight sweetness to the drink.

Quality is determined by the degree of purification of these two drinks. Cognac in the manufacturing process necessarily undergoes double distillation, and brandy is distilled only once.

Outwardly, cognac and brandy are not much different: they have a golden brown color, they are drunk neat from beautiful tulip-shaped glasses.

The best inexpensive cognacs of 2022

The presented review considers only high-quality and original alcoholic products, selected on the basis of reviews of the best tasters and cognac connoisseurs. This rating was compiled taking into account all the main quality criteria for cognac, as well as the price per bottle - it is quite affordable for most consumers.

White stork (Moldova)

Popular cognac. It began to be produced back in the days of the Soviet Union. The white stork is still popular among buyers due to its affordable price. This is an alcoholic drink of honey-golden color, with a strength of 40 degrees. Vanilla and floral notes are the main components of its taste. The product is produced according to the classical technology: first, it is aged in oak barrels for 3 to 7 years, then caramel and sucrose are added to soften the taste. Next, the cognac is again poured into oak containers, in which it "reaches" for 1 year. So its taste becomes brighter and richer.

Product aging standards:

• room temperature - from 5 to 25 * C;
• air humidity - no more than 40%.

Subject to the rules of storage, the shelf life of the drink is not limited. The main thing is that no toxins are found in the cognac, and the energy value corresponds to 239 kcal.

Cost: 620 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• low cost;
• minimum falsification of products due to affordable price;
• delicate smell and taste;
• in the process of consumption, alcohol vapors are practically not felt;
• a large number of badges of honor obtained at various competitions of alcoholic products.

• mediocre packaging design.

Klinkov VSOP

Despite the affordable cost, the product is ranked among first-class drinks. It is produced on the Crimean peninsula, a product that has been aged for at least 3 years goes on sale. The main ingredients are grape cognac and special spirits of French production. Klinkov VSOP is aged in oak barrels, so drinks of this variety acquire a subtle nutty bitter taste. The general picture when tasting the product is as follows: cognac is moderately sweet, alcohol vapors are practically inaudible, occasionally you can feel tobacco aromas or nutmeg paired with honey or orange zest - everything is determined by the year the grapes were harvested.

The taste of the drink is velvety, balanced, no extra impurities are felt. The original design of the packaging of products for sale: inside the gift tube, in which the bottle is placed, detailed information about the history of the creation of cognac is presented.

A cork stopper is inserted into the plastic lid. The category of the drink, the information about the manufacturer, the aging period of this product must certainly be stated on the trade label. On the factory bottle, the corporate logo of the concern is placed - a large letter K.

Cost: 450 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• the taste and originality of the product depends on the year in which the raw materials were collected;
• despite the fact that the price of Klinkov VSOP is low, it is recognized as an elite drink;
• falsified extremely rarely;
• attractive container design.

• missing.

Jatone X.O. Extra

On the Russian alcohol market, drinks of this brand go on sale in 2 varieties of aging - 5 and 8 years.They produce a product in Kherson, it belongs to the middle price category, it is available to almost every buyer. Laureate of various competitions, has many awards. The color of the drink is brownish-golden. In its taste, subtle motifs of hazelnut, milk chocolate and vanilla are distinguished. Well-aged cognac acquires floral and pear notes with a chocolate aftertaste. Such products are preferred by representatives of the weaker sex. In ordinary retail trade, unfortunately, cognac of this variety is not available for sale. You can buy it only in specialized alcohol stores.

Cognac Jatone X.O. Extra continues to delight with its strength. Impeccable taste is directly proportional to the aging time of the product. The drink is produced only from varieties of light grapes; from the moment the must is made, distillation is carried out only after a year.

Cost: 420 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• unusually intriguing aftertaste;
• has a lot of medals in the asset;
• due to various subtleties of production technology, the taste of the product during the aging process acquires many unusual shades;
• it is impossible to falsify products, since the drink is bottled in non-standard bottles, which are not easy to fake.

• at the bottom of the bottle, due to oak litter, small flakes form.

Tetroni 5

Despite the expensive cost, this cognac is one of the best drinks that are produced in Georgia. It is worth noting that the drink has been very popular almost from the first days of its release, and the production of brandy began in 1994. For its manufacture, grapes grown in different regions of Georgia are used, due to which the taste of the brandy is much richer.The bottles used to pour the drink are decorated in black or green colors. The label is quite original, it depicts a white thoroughbred horse. Thanks to its mild taste, cognac is drunk very easily, and the taste of alcohol in this drink is practically not felt. Due to this, it is perfect for both men and women.

The color of the horse is light golden. Gourmets advise drinking this drink slowly, enjoying every sip. And in order to feel the harmony of the aftertaste, a sip of cognac should be held in the mouth a little and roll the tongue across the palate several times. It should also be noted that it is better to drink the drink in its pure form, without adding it to coffee and various cocktails. It goes well with seafood, with any desserts, ice cream or cream, but in no case should you combine it with grapes.

Cost: 650 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• the original design of the bottle, making it almost impossible to fake it;
• low cost;
• minimum falsification of products due to affordable price;
• soft palatability, easy to drink.

• not compatible with certain dishes.

Old Kakheti 5

It also belongs to the line of popular Georgian cognacs. This drink is exported to many countries of the world, while about 40% of all products are purchased by Russia. Cognac is produced by a company called "Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking". Despite the fact that the production is quite young, it belongs to large wineries. In just one year, the company produces more than 12 million bottles of cognac. But it was this type of drink that received quite high awards at many competitions of international importance.

For about 5 years, the cognac is aged in special oak barrels, which are made from a certain variety of oak, Iberian. Thanks to this, this drink has a balanced, rich taste. It also has the aroma of leather, old port wines and dried fruits. Cognac is very gentle, easy to drink and does not burn the throat, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of chocolate in the mouth.

Cost: 650 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• soft and very pleasant taste;
• long exposure time;
• beautiful colour;
• over time, the fragrant range becomes richer.

• No

Lezginka

This brand of Russian cognac is one of the first to be presented in the review. The drink is produced at the Kizlyar Cognac Factory. It is worth noting that the manufacturer company has a status that allows it to supply its products to the Moscow Kremlin and even the presidential administration.

Many times cognac was awarded high awards not only at Russian competitions, but also international ones. And more recently, this drink began to be exported to many Asian countries, including Japan. But it is worth considering the fact that on sale you can also find a fake of Lezginka cognac. Therefore, you need to know how to distinguish the original from the fake. Namely, at the top of the bottle there is an engraving, which is an oval medallion with the numbers 1885. This is the year when the production of cognacs was launched in Kizlyar.

The name of the cognac, as well as the portrait of Bagration, available on the label, are made using the latest technology. In this case, the label is covered with a special varnish, and the engraving itself is applied by a laser. But the bottom of the bottle must be branded by the manufacturer.The taste of the drink is excellent, in it you can feel the freshness of peach and grapes, as well as apricot jam. Despite the fact that the cost of the skate is quite high, it is very popular.

Cost: 750 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• has a pleasant taste;
• low cost;
• minimum falsification of products due to affordable price;
• practically does not contain harmful substances for human health.

• high pricing policy.
• many fakes on the market.

Ararat 5

Since ancient times, Armenia has been famous for the production of cognacs. This brand of drink has collected all the best traditions of local winemakers. This variety is produced at the Yerevan Brandy Factory, and all the products produced are in demand in 40 countries of the world. Up to 8 million bottles of skate are produced per year, and 5 of them are sent to the Russian market. This noble drink has specific, but at the same time pleasant taste qualities. It is worth noting that only those grape varieties that grow exclusively on Armenian soil are used for its production. The spirits are aged in special oak barrels. The cognac company is fully responsible for the quality of the drink.

This brand has been awarded many international awards, among which there are quite prestigious ones, such as The World-Spirits Award, World Spirits Competition. The smell of cognac resembles the aroma of pears, compote made from various dried fruits and plums. Its taste is tart and slightly burning, slightly reminiscent of apple juice and green grapes, but still, sweetish shades are present in it. It goes great with dark chocolate or coffee.

Cost: 1200 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• considered one of the best cognacs in Armenia;
• beautiful colour;
• It has interesting taste qualities that differ from other varieties.

• expensive.

Noah Araspel

The delightful first-class quality of a high-quality product immediately becomes noticeable, as soon as a bottle of cognac of the presented sample is on the table. An unusual bottle in shape, quite massive both in appearance and in its capacity. Due to the saturation of colors, the noble drink stands out among other well-known brands, becoming better and stronger every year. Producers receive cognac from the best white grape variety. The drink is made in Armenia, large deliveries are made to many countries of independent states, as well as to countries in Europe and the United States. Taste qualities were recognized by gourmets and connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages, which is confirmed by numerous awards received after participating in international competitions and exhibitions.

Its inexpensive cost is affordable for the average average buyer. Fragrant bouquet and unique taste, revealed in a glass, will delight with vanilla notes. After the first sip, a slight burning sensation is felt, turning into a velvety chocolate combination with vanilla. The long aftertaste, characteristic of high-quality cognacs, leaves a sweet trail for a long time.

Cost: 1300 rubles. 0.5 l, 5 years.

• beautiful and originally designed bottle;
• soft and very pleasant taste;
• the presence of an informative label for recognition of authenticity;
• attractive color, fragrant aftertaste.

• missing.

King Tigran

Cognac with a majestic name can only be found in the windows of specialty stores selling high-quality alcoholic products. A long ten-year exposure is the longest in comparison with the rest of the best cognacs. One of the enzymes included in the product is wild yeast, which gives the liquid a dark amber color. Classic chocolate-vanilla notes with unusual floral and ginger shades are present in its unique aroma. Very soft and elegant aftertaste leaves a long and magical aftertaste without bitterness.

An open bottle emits unusual and alluring smells of freshly picked laurel, lemon zest and marinade. Rubbing the drops of the drink in his palms, he slightly changes the fragrance, which is replaced by creamy notes, the marinade ones weaken a little, but do not disappear completely. Slight, but pleasant astringency during tasting, and the absence of alcohol aftertaste, provide lightness and juiciness. The duration of the aftertaste is 15 minutes in combination with a slice of lemon and a piece of chocolate.

Cost: 2200 rubles. 0.5 l, 10 years.

• long exposure time;
• pleasant taste sensations;
• beautiful color scheme.

• expensive product.

Ararat Nairi

One of the most expensive, but also the best variety among other cognacs that are among the alcoholic drinks of this rating. Armenian products, which have a rich amber color with brilliant tints and absolute transparency, without any hint of sediment or turbidity.A refined and excellent texture with a rich trail of flavors, where lightly toasted bread crust with spicy cloves converge in harmony, set off by honey sweetness, flavored with cinnamon. The aroma captures a small proportion of alcohols, masked by fruit and wood, a green apple and a slightly dried pear. Cognac poured into a glass changes the plume to caramel and adds the presence of the smell of freshly sawn oak wood.

Due to the presence of fruit overflows remaining in the aftertaste, the drink is very easy and soft to drink. There is no aftertaste of the classics - vanilla and chocolate, which does not spoil the cognac, but on the contrary, makes it as original as possible and cannot be confused with another variety.

Cost: 3900 rubles. 0.5 l, 20 years.

• rare taste qualities, special recipe;
• long aftertaste, unusual smell, which has no analogues.

• expensive drink.

The best French cognacs

Hennessy

The Hennessy company, with the brand of cognac of the same name, occupies a leading position among all manufacturers.

Hennessy cognacs maintain balance and harmony. The alcohol base includes sixty types of alcohol, aged for an average of fifteen years. The aroma of cognac contains notes of sandalwood and hazelnuts, almonds, honey, pear dominate in taste sensations.

Cost: 3600 rubles. 0.5 L VSOP.

• special recipe;
• an unusual smell that has no analogues.

• there are no flavors.

Courvoisier

Cognac Courvoisier is a drink of the cognac house, whose history began in the Charente region more than 200 years ago. The status of this brand is evidenced by the fact that it is one of the “big cognac four”. It costs a lot.

Cognac of this brand is subjected to double aging: first, it is infused in young oak barrels, and after blending - in old barrels, which gives this cognac a special taste. The aromas are dominated by notes of flowers, vanilla and walnuts, the taste - vanilla, oak, dried fruits. Moreover, the long aftertaste retains the apple flavor.

Cost: 3300 rubles, 0.7 l, 6 years (VSOP).

• brand status;
• double exposure.

• there are no flavors.

Remy Martin

Remy Martin ranks second in the world for the supply of cognac. The aroma of the drink is rich, with a predominance of fruit notes and nuts.

Cost: 12350 rubles, 0.7 l, 10 years old, and aged for only 2 years will cost from 2 thousand rubles.

• rare taste;
• an unusual fragrance that has no analogues.

• no.

Martell

One of the oldest cognac producers is the Martel cognac house.

The drink has a very soft and delicate taste of vanilla, there are woody notes in the aroma with a light and pleasant aftertaste. Very popular with women.

Cost: 12600 rubles. (original), 0.7 l., a VSOP class drink can be purchased for 3000 rubles.

• light and pleasant aftertaste;
• long aftertaste, unusual smell, which has no analogues.

• expensive drink.

Camus

The family business for the production of cognac is the cognac house of Camus. Until now, the owners of the brand are representatives of the Camus family, having already survived 5 generations.

Cognac of this brand has not yet lost its leading position and is considered one of the best in the world. The company is also a leader in sales - it owns 4/5 of the total volume among other cognac companies.At the spirits competition in London, Camus La Grande Marque cognac received a gold medal 4 times in a row.

The aroma of Camus cognac includes mineral and floral notes, the taste is dominated by peach, chocolate and a hint of orange peel.

Cost: 14,500 rubles, 0.7 liters, the cost of VSOP class cognac is 3,000 rubles.

• leading positions in the world market;
• original notes of aftertaste;
• suitable for women - light and fragrant.

• no.

Conclusion

Lovers of a noble elixir will be able to find quite decent cognac varieties even among inexpensive economical options. Despite the democratic cost, among the huge selection you can find suitable items that will be appreciated by admirers of high-quality alcoholic products.