Any brandy drinkers?

[italianotigre]

Hey everyone! I really enjoy sipping a lot of different types of scotch whiskey as I relax. However, my wife and I are not very familiar with any Brandies and would like to try some. Anyone have any suggestions on some that are "decently" prized to try?

[moses]

Well, there is a wine store in Kensington, CA that had some Cognac for $19.99 a bottle that was actually very very good. Amazingly good, actually, for the price. Obviously, this is a beverage where the high end just keeps going up and up. But the store owner said this was the best he had ever had for under $50, and better than a lot that cost more.

Unfortunately, I have not seen it anywhere else, and cannot for the life of me remember the name, or any other identifying information. So I am just spinning a rather un-entertaining yarn that serves not real purpose other than driving me ever so slightly closer to leaving the ranks of the Fusion Flunkies.

-Mo

[italianotigre]

Well, there is a wine store in Kensington, CA that had some Cognac for $19.99 a bottle that was actually very very good. Amazingly good, actually, for the price. Obviously, this is a beverage where the high end just keeps going up and up. But the store owner said this was the best he had ever had for under $50, and better than a lot that cost more.

Unfortunately, I have not seen it anywhere else, and cannot for the life of me remember the name, or any other identifying information. So I am just spinning a rather un-entertaining yarn that serves not real purpose other than driving me ever so slightly closer to leaving the ranks of the Fusion Flunkies.

-Mo

And on that note...I think its getting late. :lol:

[moses]

And on that note...I think its getting late. :lol:

Indeed. Quite late. Much later here than there, actually.

-Mo

[htownmmm]

Remy Martin VSOP Cognac is my current fave.


Marty

[TimmyBoston]

Michael, just my 2 cents. I'm a big whisk(e)y fan. And a few months ago I took a little journey into good brandies. I honestly didn't care for them, just too sweet, especially if you're a Scotch drinker, which I am as well, I'd stay that route. YMMV. You can always look into bourbon, Argonauts in Denver as well as Applejacks both have excellent Scotch and bourbon selections. But they also have excellent brandy selections as well.

[dangert]

If you're a Scotch drinker, which I am as well, I'd stay that route.

I think you have a point here. I am cognac drinker but also occasionally drink single malts. Although I don't hate them, I really didn't get to a level of a real appreciation of the drink. And this is probably true for a whiskey drinker drinking cognac or brandy.

In case you still want to try, stick to well-known names and $35+ price tag. Otard VSOP could be a good match for a Scotch drinker (smoky character).

[180gVinyl]

Not all cognacs are sweet

Those from the Grande Champagne region are generally drier than those from the Borderies.

You can't go wrong with Delamain Pale & Dry

[italianotigre]

I honestly didn't care for them, just too sweet, especially if you're a Scotch drinker, which I am as well, I'd stay that route.

Thats what I was kind of wondering myself. I had been told that before.

[moses]

Thats what I was kind of wondering myself. I had been told that before.

I don't know. I am a scotch drinker myself and have really enjoyed a glass of cognac, now in then. I kinda love variety, though. I have little experience, but the majority that I've tried were not really sweet at all.

- Mo

[Mottern Man]

Remy Martin VSOP Cognac is my current fave.


Marty

Ditto!

And If you have the money get the XO :biggrin:

[reeffanatic]

Forget the Remy XO if you have the money try the Kelt XO. Excellent cognac! What more can I say?

[ratcheer]

I am mainly a bourbon drinker, but I do enjoy some cognacs. I prefer Remy-Martin and Courvossier.

Tim

[TimmyBoston]

If I am going to drink brandy. I choose Armagnac over Cognac.

[BroJohn]

If I am going to drink brandy. I choose Armagnac over Cognac.

+1, indeed.

-- John Gehman

[italianotigre]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My wife and I are going to start going down the list.

[TimmyBoston]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My wife and I are going to start going down the list.

See if you can find any mini bottles at your liquor store or try a good bar. It's still pricey, but at least you won't be stuck with a full bottle of something you can't stand.

[TimmyBoston]

Also after you've had two or so, call it quits, even if you don't feel intoxicated your taste buds may be shot. It's best to just start afresh the next day.

[Mottern Man]

See if you can find any mini bottles at your liquor store or try a good bar. It's still pricey, but at least you won't be stuck with a full bottle of something you can't stand.


Stuck with liquor you don't want?

Send them to me (for experimentation purposes of course :lol:).

[italianotigre]

Stuck with liquor you don't want?

Send them to me (for experimentation purposes of course :lol:).

As soon as you send the 40's of Mickeys. :001_tt2:

[italianotigre]

Also after you've had two or so, call it quits, even if you don't feel intoxicated your taste buds may be shot. It's best to just start afresh the next day.

I hear ya. Just like with anything else, after a while you dont pick up on the differences or the differences seem huge when they are not. Plus, thats for the small bottle suggestion as well, my wife mentioned something about that as well.

[Mottern Man]

Shoot, Mickeys for Brandy. You my friend have a deal.

Send me the address. :lol:

[italianotigre]

Shoot, Mickeys for Brandy. You my friend have a deal.

Send me the address. :lol:

What can I say? My wife has always called me a cheap date. :lol: :lol:

[JohnP]

Mo,
That store in Kensington, CA...did you mean Kensington as in San Diego suburb? I used to live in the area.
Gave away a bottle of Courvoisieur VSOP when I moved down here.
I think if you really want to enjoy a brandy (or cognac or armagnac etc) make sure you get ahold of some snifters. I didn't see the point until I got a couple crystal snifters (they don't have to be crystal, just mine were) and try it that way. The cognac just smelled delicious with a few swirls in that thing. It does make a difference. I read somewhere also, that if you want to try a cognac, generally the step up from VS to VSOP is well worth the money, but the step from VSOP to XO isn't always as dramatic....
John P.

[dangert]

I think if you really want to enjoy a brandy (or cognac or armagnac etc) make sure you get ahold of some snifters.
John P.

Don't buy too many snifters. Sipping cognac from Riedel's Hennessy glasses (http://www.amazon.com/Riedel-Vinum/dp/B00004SZ85) is completely different experience. You may want to try it at store that carries them and compare to snifters...

[elosamurai]

Remy Martin VSOP Cognac is my current fave.


Marty

I agree remy martin is hands down better than Couvasier or Hennessy .. Im a snob drinker and remy is the only one I drink,, if they dont have it in said bar theres another bar close by that will.. Im so into it I leave friends where theyve gathered to gets mine and return later.. and theres no hangover!!!:cool:

[elosamurai]

Forget the Remy XO if you have the money try the Kelt XO. Excellent cognac! What more can I say?

LOUIS XIII REMY MARTIN......nuff said.. Currently at my place at 175 a drink,, the bottle in original Bacarat crytstal comes in at about 4700 dollars,, with a 1 karat cognac diamond in the stopper.... upon return of bottle without stopper my purveyor credits 500 dollars towards next bottle... if anyone has tried this let me know how ur still feeling now!

[TimmyBoston]

LOUIS XIII REMY MARTIN......nuff said.. Currently at my place at 175 a drink,, the bottle in original Bacarat crytstal comes in at about 4700 dollars,, with a 1 karat cognac diamond in the stopper.... upon return of bottle without stopper my purveyor credits 500 dollars towards next bottle... if anyone has tried this let me know how ur still feeling now!

I've had it once. Honestly I wasn't that impressed. It's good don't get me wrong, but I don't think Louis XIII is worth anywhere near what it costs. I think there are better brandies out there at a fraction of the cost. IMO it's like Johnnie Walker Blue, very good, but nowhere worth the cost and higher quality products are avaiable for less money.

[italianotigre]

I've had it once. Honestly I wasn't that impressed. It's good don't get me wrong, but I don't think Louis XIII is worth anywhere near what it costs. I think there are better brandies out there at a fraction of the cost. IMO it's like Johnnie Walker Blue, very good, but nowhere worth the cost and higher quality products are avaiable for less money.

WHOOO :eek: You didnt think the Johnnie Walker Blue is worth the money? Just shocked because your the first I've heard say that. Nothing wrong with that of course, each person has their own tastes. I loved it!!! Wouldnt mind paying that price. Of course assuming I had the money. :blushing:

[elosamurai]

I also agree that there are plenty of fine cognacs for less money;; but a toyota will do the same as a ferrari, and those that have ferraris will accept no other.. kind of the same thing...

[ratcheer]

but a toyota will do the same as a ferrari...

Ummm, who told you that? :eek:

Tim

[180gVinyl]

I agree remy martin is hands down better than Couvasier or Hennessy .. Im a snob drinker and remy is the only one I drink,, if they dont have it in said bar theres another bar close by that will.. Im so into it I leave friends where theyve gathered to gets mine and return later.. and theres no hangover!!!:cool:

The ubiquitous Remy VSOP is overrated in my opinion as I always find it to have a harsh youthful edge and to be thin on the palate.

In the VSOP category, I prefer

Frapin
Hardy
Menuet
Martell

[knlgskr]

Hey everyone! I really enjoy sipping a lot of different types of scotch whiskey as I relax. However, my wife and I are not very familiar with any Brandies and would like to try some. Anyone have any suggestions on some that are "decently" prized to try?
Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados (Apple). Wouldn't go below a VSOP on Cognac or Armagnac. I compare Cognac to a blended Scotch and Armagnac to a malt i.e. more individuality and not as much sold or advertised. Hope you and all the members had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. "If you drink, have one; if the dead could they would." Yol Bolsun.

[Lynchmeister]

Sorry guys, I'm not a brandy drinker yet, but I'm always curious to try new things. Could someone explain what VSOP is? Thanks.

[ratcheer]

Sorry guys, I'm not a brandy drinker yet, but I'm always curious to try new things. Could someone explain what VSOP is? Thanks.

I think that VS means Very Special, VSOP means Very Special Old Pale, and XO means Extra Old. But I could be wrong.

My two all time favorites are Courvossier VSOP, which has deep, dark fruit flavors, and Remy Martin XO, which is the most expensive liquor I have ever bought. Well, it is tied with my Grand Marnier 150th Anniversary. I bought both on a trip to Martinique in 1990. As I savor them very carefully, both bottles are still going strong. :cool:

Tim

[Lynchmeister]

I think that VS means Very Special, VSOP means Very Special Old Pale, and XO means Extra Old. But I could be wrong.

My two all time favorites are Courvossier VSOP, which has deep, dark fruit flavors, and Remy Martin XO, which is the most expensive liquor I have ever bought. Well, it is tied with my Grand Marnier 150th Anniversary. I bought both on a trip to Martinique in 1990. As I savor them very carefully, both bottles are still going strong. :cool:

Tim

Thanks Tim. By the way, that's really cool about your two bottles that you've have since '90. I would have loved to do the same while I was in Europe a year ago, but...beer doesn't keep as well as spirits :wink: .

[elosamurai]

Ummm, who told you that? :eek:

Tim
Well a toyota can get u from A to B just like a ferrari can.... but if u want to know a little something... this toyota supra whipped a few ferraris'.... I've built two similar to this at a fraction of the cost of a supercar..my pleasure is having a 4 thousand dollar honda beat ur 160 thousand dollar ferrari,, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lASMbhdcZQE

[Bricktop]

Grab a bottle of Pierre Ferrand Ambre. An excellent intro to better cognacs. Kicks the snot of the Remy, Curvoisier, Hennessey firewaters, and you can get a 750 for about $33.

[180gVinyl]

Grab a bottle of Pierre Ferrand Ambre. An excellent intro to better cognacs. Kicks the snot of the Remy, Curvoisier, Hennessey firewaters, and you can get a 750 for about $33.


Then you're very lucky

About £28 over here


Enjoy it

[allmodcons]

A colleague of mine, on business in Germany last week, is supposed to bring me a bottle of Asbach. Ahh, the hangovers from days past that German brandy brings to mind.

[chop-chop]

One of the best that I've ever tasted is called Ecstasy... not to be confused with its illegal drug counterpart.
It's about $200/bottle, here in the States... which is well out of my price-range, but I have a friend who has a wealthy father who enjoys sharing. :smile: Why did I move 1200 miles away? :confused:

Anyone else tried it or heard of it?

chop-chop

[italianotigre]

One of the best that I've ever tasted is called Ecstasy... not to be confused with its illegal drug counterpart.
It's about $200/bottle, here in the States... which is well out of my price-range, but I have a friend who has a wealthy father who enjoys sharing. :smile: Why did I move 1200 miles away? :confused:

Anyone else tried it or heard of it?

chop-chop

WOW. I better be in Ecstasy for me to spend that much.......that was kind of wrong for me to say. :lol:

[180gVinyl]

Sainsbury's ( A national supermarket chain here in the UK )

Has for a number of years, stocked an exclusively Grande Champagne cognac at the XO level for 25 quid which IMHO outshone the like of Remy Martin VSOP at the same price

I posted before Christmas that it had been reduced to £16.99 (so I was compelled to buy another bottle :smile: )

Tonight, I called in for a bottle of wine and noticed that it was on "sale" at £12.49 :001_tt1: :001_tt1: :001_tt1:


Come to dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am currently nursing a glass with some Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (S.Africa)

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[TimmyBoston]

Does anyone have a thoughts on any specific Armagnac?

I've only had one a Samalens Reserve Imperiale XO. It was superb. But at $100 a bottle in my area, it's a little more than I want to spend at this time.

Does anyone have any information about other Armagnac's that are of good quality but a little less (or a lot less :biggrin: ) money?

[Graham]

Forget the Remy XO if you have the money try the Kelt XO. Excellent cognac! What more can I say?

Forget your Remy's and Kelt, Hennessy PARADIS is the one to go for, aged in the barrel for 80 years before it is bottled, utter bliss!