Must Try 10 Recommendation Cognac

What will you get when you distill a wine? You will create a cognac! Of all kinds of brandy, cognac is one of the most well-known ones. The sweetness and acidity of the cognac come from fermented white grape juices. But, what makes the alcoholic beverage special is the main ingredients and the place where it is produced.

Unlike other brandies, cognac has to be made in Cognac, France, using six types of white grapes from the Cognac region. Due to its flavour and specialty, many people enjoy drinking this liquor. Are you interested in trying a bottle of cognac? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below are some Hennessy cognac recommendations for you to try!

1. Hennessy X.O

Hennessy X.O is a solid cognac recommendation that you should try. The term X.O or ‘Extra Old’ means that the cognac has been aged for at least six years. The amber-coloured liquor has a 40 percent ABV and is first made for the founder’s friends and family.

When opening a bottle of Hennessy X.O, you will smell a fruity and sweet scent. While sipping on the cognac, you will taste a fruity, buttery, leathery, nutty, chocolatey, and spices flavour with a spicy, fruity, and vanilla taste on the finish.

You should try Hennessy X.O as it is instead of mixing it into cocktails. You can enjoy the cognac perfectly with only water or ice.

2. Hennessy X.X.O

Hennessy X.X.O is also created at the same time as Hennessy X.O. Both of them have a 40 percent ABV. But, what is the difference between the two besides the ‘X’ addition in the name? 

Hennessey X.X.O is a more mature version of Hennessy X.O since it’s aged for more than 14 years! You will find a peppermint, licorice, bitter orange, and fresh nutmeg scent from the liquor. Hennessey X.X.O has a rich and spicy flavour. It is best to enjoy the liquor slowly.

3. Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege

Unlike Hennessy X.O, Hennessey V.S.O.P is only aged for at least four years. The term V.S.O.P stands for ‘Very Superior Old Pale’. In fact, the brand is the first to have a V.S.O.P cognac type. The dark brown liquor has a 40 percent ABV.

When sniffing the spirit, you will find a fruity, spice, vanilla, and oaky aroma. Meanwhile, Hennessey V.S.O.P will give you a smooth fruity, oaky, spice, honey, and vanilla flavour on the palate. 

You can drink Hennessey V.S.O.P as it is, but it’s more suitable to be mixed into cognac-based cocktails.

4. Hennessy V.S

The next cognac recommendation is Hennessy V.S. The term V.S refers to ‘Very Special’, which means that the blend has been aged for at least two years. Similar to the last Hennessey brand, the ABV percentage of Hennessey V.S is also 40 percent

There is a nutty and oaky scent when you take off the liquor’s cap. Your tongue will taste a fruity, nutty, and vanilla flavour with a hint of peppery finish. Overall, Hennessey V.S isn’t as complex and rich as Hennessey V.S.O.P and Hennessey X.O. You can drink the liquor neat or combine it into cocktails.

5. Black Hennessy

Despite its name, Hennessy Black’s colour is actually golden light. The liquor was produced in 2009 with a 40 percent ABV. Its sole purpose is to be a cocktail base. You can also use the cognac to make non-cognac-based cocktails.

Your nose will detect citrusy, fruity honey, and jasmine flower scent, and when you try to consume Hennessy Black on its own, you will taste a floral, citrusy, cedar, honey, and jasmine flavour with a dash of sharp, oaky, and spicy finish. The spirit isn’t suitable to be sipped on its own and will work wondrous if integrated into cocktails.

6. Hennessy ClassIVM

In need of a classy cognac? Then this cognac recommendation is for you! At first,  Hennessy ClassIVM can only be found in China, but now it has spread to all of Asia. The blend has been aged for at least four years and can be enjoyed as it is or combined into cocktails. The liquor has a rich aroma with a fresh taste on the palate.

7. Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection N°4

Hennessy Master Blender’s Selection N°4 has a very sophisticated taste and a 43 percent ABV. The liquor is made by Master Blender Renaud Filioux de Gironde and is a limited edition Hennessy cognac. 

When sniffing the exquisite spirit, you can sense a citrusy, spices, oaky, and fruity aroma. On the palate, you can taste a fruity, fresh, oaky, and spicy flavour.

This classy drink is worthy to be a part of your collection if you are a cognac or spirit collector or investor. Since it has a very acquired taste, you should enjoy the liquor neat or with ice. The alcoholic beverage is also suitable to be consumed while smoking a cigar.

8. Richard Hennessy

The liquor is produced to honour the founder of Hennessey, Richard Hennesey. It is created by blending more than 100 Hennessey’s reserve cognacs. You can add Richard Hennessy as a part of your collection since this is one of the classy cognac recommendations. Richard Hennessey has an oaky, peppery, vanilla, and spices scent with a spicy, fruity, and oaky flavour.

9. James Hennessy

The 40 percent ABV cognac is a tribute in 2015 for the eldest son of Richard Hennessey, James Hennesey who managed to bring the brand worldwide. The liquor is also made to celebrate Hennessey’s 250th anniversary. 

You can smell tobacco, nutty, oaky, fruity, creamy, herbally, and smoky aroma from James Hennessey. Meanwhile, you can taste a nutty and vanilla flavour from the liquor. 

You should drink James Hennessey neat to get all the flavour and aroma, but you can also mix water inside the blend to lessen the smoky scent.

10. Hennessy Paradis

Last but not least in the must-try 10 recommendation cognac is Hennessy Paradis. The exquisite liquor is created by Maurice Fillioux in 1979.  You can smell a floral and spice aroma with a rich, fruity, oaky, and honeysuckle flavour.

Purchase a Bottle of Cognac!

You don’t have to search elsewhere for a fine bottle of Hennessy! Just pop in the Red & White store and ask the shop assistant for cognac recommendations that suit your palate.