Cognac

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time. I'm not much of a
drinker anymore. That part of my life came and went. I pretty much only drink
red wine now, and enjoy cherry flavored brandy. I never developed a taste for
the dark liquors, like scotch or rye. So I'm wondering what cognac would be
like. All I know about it is that it seems to be a classy drink. My question,
and forgive me for asking such a stupid one, is how do you drink it? I mean,
temperature, serving size, etc. I've seen people in movies and on TV warming
something up over a flame. Cognac or brandy? I did a little research and see the
alcohol content is about 40% or 80 proof. But I know little else. Also brands?
I'd appreciate any help in delving into this possible pleasure late in life.
Thanks.

Give it a try my friend.
Warming with a flame is just showing off, but a bowl shaped brandy
glass is designed to be held in the palm of the hand, so warming the
brandy. But brandy doesn't have to be warm to be enjoyed. I've even
drank it with ice if that's how the mood takes me.
Cognac or brandy? Unless you live in France don't get hung up on it.
The individual brands will have distinctive flavours. You'll just have
to try a few to see what you like. Lots of research, but I guess
you'll just have to work your way through it!
If you're looking for quality rather than quantity then buy something
with a 4 or 5 star rating. One of my personal favourites is Asbach, a
German brandy which I acquired a taste for while serving there in the
armed forces. The connoiseurs will, no doubt, sneer at that choice,
but who cares what they think.
Essentially, too cheap tends to be a bit rough, but you'll enjoy a
good quality brandy from any of the major brands. If you want to spend
a bit more you can get better quality.
One tip, don't try and do all your research in one night!
Enjoy.

John Morgan
www.morgans-net.com

John Morgan said:

Cognac or brandy? Unless you live in France don't get hung up on it.
The individual brands will have distinctive flavours. You'll just have
to try a few to see what you like. Lots of research, but I guess
you'll just have to work your way through it!
If you're looking for quality rather than quantity then buy something
with a 4 or 5 star rating. One of my personal favourites is Asbach, a
German brandy which I acquired a taste for while serving there in the
armed forces. The connoiseurs will, no doubt, sneer at that choice,
but who cares what they think.

Also Cardenal Mendoza from Spain is a good brandy.
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

You want a single-vineyard, single-vintage Cognac from the
Cognac region of France. There are other good brandies in
the world, i.e. California brandy from Germain Robard, but
you probably want the reference point of a good Cognac.

Here is a link to one retailer.
http://www.klwines.com/find/search.asp?id=50
If you have a wine retailer you trust, ask them.

Steve

Steve Pope said:

You want a single-vineyard, single-vintage Cognac from the
Cognac region of France. There are other good brandies in
the world, i.e. California brandy from Germain Robard, but
you probably want the reference point of a good Cognac.

To add up to what Steve wrote, here's a map of the Cognac region:
http://www.diwinetaste.com/html/dwt200401/images/MappaCognac.gif
The six areas are listed in order of quality, but some say that there's very
little difference between Petit Champagne and Grand champagne in terms of
quality.
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

In article <[email hidden]>, rfdjr1
@optonline.net says...

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time.

Can't really help with the cognac, but I'm going through the sme thing
with Gin. I've always been a Vodka or Bourbon drinker, but Gins have
been getting more and more popular, and I've read about the different
types.
Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.
--
Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

In article <[email hidden]>, rfdjr1
@optonline.net says...

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time. I'm not much of a
drinker anymore. That part of my life came and went. I pretty much only drink
red wine now, and enjoy cherry flavored brandy. I never developed a taste for
the dark liquors, like scotch or rye. So I'm wondering what cognac would be
like. All I know about it is that it seems to be a classy drink. My question,
and forgive me for asking such a stupid one, is how do you drink it? I mean,
temperature, serving size, etc. I've seen people in movies and on TV warming
something up over a flame. Cognac or brandy? I did a little research and see the
alcohol content is about 40% or 80 proof. But I know little else. Also brands?
I'd appreciate any help in delving into this possible pleasure late in life.
Thanks.

Cognac, which is brandy made in the Cognac region of France, is best
drunk straight in a snifter, no ice.

Regular brandy, which is made in many places (Spain makes some lovely
ones) is versatile. I like brandy and soda. Of course you could use
cognac for this but I think it would be a waste of $$.

--
Peter Aitken

Peter A said...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, rfdjr1
@optonline.net says...

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time. I'm not much
of a drinker anymore. That part of my life came and went. I pretty much
only drink red wine now, and enjoy cherry flavored brandy. I never
developed a taste for the dark liquors, like scotch or rye. So I'm
wondering what cognac would be like. All I know about it is that it
seems to be a classy drink. My question, and forgive me for asking such
a stupid one, is how do you drink it? I mean, temperature, serving
size, etc. I've seen people in movies and on TV warming something up
over a flame. Cognac or brandy? I did a little research and see the
alcohol content is about 40% or 80 proof. But I know little else. Also
brands? I'd appreciate any help in delving into this possible pleasure
late in life. Thanks.

Cognac, which is brandy made in the Cognac region of France, is best
drunk straight in a snifter, no ice.

Regular brandy, which is made in many places (Spain makes some lovely
ones) is versatile. I like brandy and soda. Of course you could use
cognac for this but I think it would be a waste of $$.

I've got an airplane bottle of Grand Marnier on the kitchen sink window
shelf. Supposedly good for a French toast "marinade."

That's orange cognac, right?

Andy

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time. I'm not much of a
drinker anymore. That part of my life came and went. I pretty much only drink
red wine now, and enjoy cherry flavored brandy. I never developed a taste for
the dark liquors, like scotch or rye. So I'm wondering what cognac would be
like. All I know about it is that it seems to be a classy drink. My question,
and forgive me for asking such a stupid one, is how do you drink it? I mean,
temperature, serving size, etc. I've seen people in movies and on TV warming
something up over a flame. Cognac or brandy? I did a little research and see the
alcohol content is about 40% or 80 proof. But I know little else. Also brands?
I'd appreciate any help in delving into this possible pleasure late in life.
Thanks.

If you're really that clueless about brandy and cognac, don't spend
any money on a bottle of hooch right now. Go to a "better" bar and
get a shot of something you're interested in trying (if you don't know
what to try, ask the bartender)... buy at least 3 shots of three
different cognacs (or brandys) and line them up. Taste. Then go off
and buy a bottle of the one you liked.

--
See return address to reply by email

Elder said:

Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.

T&T is wonderful! Have you tried Beefeaters and Tonic yet?

--
See return address to reply by email

Andy q said:

I've got an airplane bottle of Grand Marnier on the kitchen sink window
shelf. Supposedly good for a French toast "marinade."

Before I lost the recipe, it was the "secret" ingredient in my
pineapple/orange marmalade.

--
See return address to reply by email

Andy said:

I've got an airplane bottle of Grand Marnier on the kitchen sink
window shelf. Supposedly good for a French toast "marinade."
That's orange cognac, right?

Don't know what it is, but having drank it many times I can say the 2 things
are lightyears distant, Grand marnier is damns sweet and thick. But both do
well on ice cream...
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

sf said:

Quoted message said:

Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.

Quoted message said:

T&T is wonderful! Have you tried Beefeaters and Tonic yet?

Lining up the good ones, eh? OK, let's put Bombay Sapphire in the number
then.
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Regular brandy, which is made in many places (Spain makes some lovely
ones) is versatile. I like brandy and soda. Of course you could use
cognac for this but I think it would be a waste of $$.

I actually like Sobrano spanish brandy with almond flavoured cola (its a
Tesco supermarket home brand that actually tastes good). It is like
drinking liquid marzipan.
--
Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

In article <[email hidden]>, Andy <q> says...

Quoted message said:

I've got an airplane bottle of Grand Marnier on the kitchen sink window
shelf. Supposedly good for a French toast "marinade."

That's orange cognac, right?

I believe that's right, sweetened too. Mix some in your syrup.

--
Peter Aitken

said...

Quoted message said:

Andy q said:

I've got an airplane bottle of Grand Marnier on the kitchen sink window
shelf. Supposedly good for a French toast "marinade."

Before I lost the recipe, it was the "secret" ingredient in my
pineapple/orange marmalade.

sf,

I'll bet that spiced up breakfast!

Let me guess, you like coffee before sex too??

Andy

Vilco said:

sf said:

Quoted message said:

Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.

T&T is wonderful! Have you tried Beefeaters and Tonic yet?

Lining up the good ones, eh? OK, let's put Bombay Sapphire in the number
then.
--
Vilco
Think pink, drink rose'

Agreed! It also has to be a martini, not mixed with tonic!

In article <[email hidden]>, sf says...

Quoted message said:

Elder said:

Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.

T&T is wonderful! Have you tried Beefeaters and Tonic yet?

Not yet. I have to admit, the Tanqueray will need to be finished first,
then some other brands.
--
Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

Quoted message said:

I've got in in my head to try cognac for the first time. I'm not much of a
drinker anymore. That part of my life came and went. I pretty much only drink
red wine now, and enjoy cherry flavored brandy. I never developed a taste for
the dark liquors, like scotch or rye. So I'm wondering what cognac would be
like. All I know about it is that it seems to be a classy drink. My question,
and forgive me for asking such a stupid one, is how do you drink it? I mean,
temperature, serving size, etc. I've seen people in movies and on TV warming
something up over a flame. Cognac or brandy? I did a little research and see the
alcohol content is about 40% or 80 proof. But I know little else. Also brands?
I'd appreciate any help in delving into this possible pleasure late in life.

Cognac is brandy. It is brandy from the Cognac region. Another region that
makes great brandy is Armanac. it doe snot need to be heated up but it is
usually drunk from a snifter that allows you to savour the aroma, and you
hold it with your and around the bottom of the glass, not the stem, so that
the warmth from your hand helps to release that aroma.

It is potent stuff. If you find yourself enjoying brandy you might want to
try some good Scotch, single malt not a blend.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

sf said:

Quoted message said:

Tried tanqueray in a classic gin and tonic and is was wonderful and
fragrent and bitter sweet.

Quoted message said:

T&T is wonderful! Have you tried Beefeaters and Tonic yet?

Lining up the good ones, eh? OK, let's put Bombay Sapphire in the number
then.

That was the other option, We looked at them both and went with Tanq
first.
Going to try an organic plymouth gin too.

I always remember my grandma drinking gin and orange juice and something
put me off, but I guess tastes change, because I really enjoyed the
fruity herby taste instead it reminding me of flowery perfume.
--
Carl Robson
Audio stream: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com:8000/samtest
Homepage: http://www.bouncing-czechs.com