If you’re looking for proof of the “premiumization” trend in alcohol, Cognac offers a fine example. Between 2016 and 2021, dollar sales in the U.S. grew a staggering 64.4 percent, according to data from the Distilled Spirits Council, with the “super premium” price range leading the charge. All things told, sales topped out at close to $3.5 billion in 2021, the most recent year for which the organization has published data.
It’s hardly surprising that many would be willing to fork out a little extra per bottle or upgrade to more expensive offerings. Cognac enjoys the status of being a luxury category, aided by strict production guidelines that mirror those employed by France’s numerous, famed wine regions.
If you’re beginning an exploration into the category, there are just three important labeling terms to familiarize yourself with — all of which relate to the youngest grape distillate (eau-de-vie) included in a blend. V.S. applies to Cognac aged at least two years; V.S.O.P. is used for blends with a minimum four years in barrel; and X.O. denotes 10 years and above.
Confusingly, you’ll also come across bottles that contain none of these acronyms on their labels, though that’s not an indication of lack of quality. Ultimately, it’s what’s inside the bottle that really counts. And the offerings on this list serve the finest examples currently available from the world’s most famous brandy-producing region.
From weeknight sippers to bar cart staples and bottles that redefine the boundaries of luxury, here are the 25
