Recommend me best Cognac buying ideas

[MrGreedy]

I'm off to the North Cognac region in the very near future, never been before. French brandies are my favorite spirit (all three types).

Can anyone recommend any good value distilleries or chateaux to buy cognac from? Or good tours?

Or any brands or areas to buy from local supermarkets?

I'm mindful that for example that Chateau du Tariquet XO armagnac is standard £37 (just up from £35) in Waitrose, and has recently been on offer at £28. So imagine my surprise when I visited the Chateau itself a few years ago (a very sleepy, informal affair with tasting out of something like a stone shed) only to find out a bottle is EUR50 if cutting out the middle man!!!

I'm also mindful in Calvados region, some of the best value I've picked up have been from random Le Clerc or Carrefour stores, who seem to sell very locally produced options not available in the same brand supermarkets only 20 miles away. I've found some absolute delights, VSOPs and XOs of 50-70cl available for the EUR20-30 range (best I have is 50cl XO for EUR23).

Please no need to recommend 3 figure sum bottles, as I need to save some funds for Merc maintenance.

 

[mattc]

Personally I like chateau de montifaud. No idea where it is or if they do tasting etc... Sorry I'm no more help than that.

 

[Gollom]

Highly recommended is House Bonnaud – Cognac Bonnaud

The majority of the output goes to Hennessey. Degustation is fun - ensure you have a designated driver. Especially if Madame is around - she has a very generous hand! They do their own label cognac at very reasonable prices given the quality. Make sure to try their Rose Vieux Pineau which is velvet. Mrs. Gollom is VERY partial - lets just say it puts her in a VERY good mood.....

Funnily enough I broke our remaining pineau glass from there only yesterday, so I am in the dog house

 

[mattc]

Highly recommended is House Bonnaud – Cognac Bonnaud

Funnily enough I broke our remaining pineau glass from there only yesterday, so I am in the dog house

Best plan a visit again soon then

 

[MrGreedy]

Funnily enough I broke our remaining pineau glass from there only yesterday, so I am in the dog house.

Cheers Top G.

If you want me to try and source a replacement or two at cost, just let me know and I might be able to? Just PM me.

 

[Gollom]

Cheers Top G.

If you want me to try and source a replacement or two at cost, just let me know and I might be able to? Just PM me.

Really good of you - two would be great if convenient. My standing in the Good Book stakes would rise!

 

[MrGreedy]

Really good of you - two would be great if convenient. My standing in the Good Book stakes would rise!

Can't promise, but if I'm going nearby I'll swing in and see if I can pick a couple up.
Are they a tulip wine glass type?

 

[Gollom]

Can't promise, but if I'm going nearby I'll swing in and see if I can pick a couple up.
Are they a tulip wine glass type?

Yup. And please don't put any effort in. Nice of you though

The XO is the pick of the crop. Like milk!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Dumb question - I seldom drink anything stronger than wine - is a pineau glass pretty much the same as a sherry glass ?

Cognac is such a lovely region that so often gets by-passed as people buzz to the coast or the bigger cities. I envy your trip !

 

[Gollom]

Dumb question - I seldom drink anything stronger than wine - is a pineau glass pretty much the same as a sherry glass ?

Cognac is such a lovely region that so often gets by-passed as people buzz to the coast or the bigger cities. I envy your trip !


View attachment 159703

Sure is, but a slightly different shape (tapers a little from the middle) But the ones from Bonnaud have the name on so sentimental as much as anything. YOU argue with her... LOL

Agree about the Cognac region. Used to have a house just outside Saveilles, Paizay-Naudouin-Embourie which is not too far away. Sometimes if they are in a good mood and you have a nice car, the Cognac houses in Cognac itself will let you barely wet your lip with a 90 year old cognac - now that is special stuff!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Sure is, but a slightly different shape (tapers a little from the middle) But the ones from Bonnaud have the name on so sentimental as much as anything. YOU argue with her... LOL

Agree about the Cognac region. Used to have a house just outside Saveilles, Paizay-Naudouin-Embourie which is not too far away. Sometimes if they are in a good mood and you have a nice car, the Cognac houses in Cognac itself will let you barely wet your lip with a 90 year old cognac - now that is special stuff!

I didn't get to where I am today by arguing with any wife about things she needs to own....

 

[Neiltodd]

Ha d a good tour of Courvouiser distillery and tasting afterwards included.

 

[MrGreedy]

Found these so far, but not yet ventured too far from base yet. A blend of 30, 33 and 39 y/o cognacs. At least, I think that's what the guy in the shop said. I was a little slow following the exact years as he rattled them off. Only EUR50 a bottle, which for the age statement is good, and it tastes magnificent.



Picked up some good Calvados on the way through. The 50cl XO I referred to in post1 is now.... EUR19!?!?! Bargain!

 

[Swotty]

Found these so far, but not yet ventured too far from base yet. A blend of 30, 33 and 39 y/o cognacs. At least, I think that's what the guy in the shop said. I was a little slow following the exact years as he rattled them off. Only EUR50 a bottle, which for the age statement is good, and it tastes magnificent.

View attachment 159824

Picked up some good Calvados on the way through. The 50cl XO I referred to in post1 is now.... EUR19!?!?! Bargain!

Le Guide Hachette has the price at €30 - 50:

Francis Motard XO - Cognac - Vin rouge | Guide Hachette des Vins

Tout sur le vin rouge Francis Motard : note, avis du Guide Hachette des Vins, accords, garde, domaine Francis Motard

www.hachette-vins.com

Mrs Swotty has recently changed from Courvoisier to Hubert Rochebois:

Armagnac V.S. Basque Hubert Rochebois - Intermarché

Armagnac V.S. Basque chez Intermarché. Drive et livraison à domicile. Vos courses en ligne au même prix que dans votre magasin.

www.intermarche.com

Only a V.S. rather than V.S.O.P. but she swears the former is much better than the latter. She does seem to drink a lot of it.

 

[Chrishazle]

No point in me buying a decent cognac as herself (and occasionally me) cut it with Fever Tree dry ginger, so whatever we can get el cheapo works! I do keep something decent for the odd occasion we want a straight cognac though!