The French call cognac l’eau de vie; water of life, and its velvety texture makes it easy to see why. Cognac is a protected category of brandy made from white grapes grown across Western France that must meet the strict requirements of the appellation d’origine contrôllée in order to be classed as such. The white grapes are fermented for five to seven days, distilled twice in copper pot stills that produce a colourless liquid, and then aged in oak barrels for at least two years. When ready, it is blended with different cognacs to create the final bottle.
Sip a cognac on its own to experience the velvety texture, especially if trying an older cognac, or open up the flavour with a drop or two of water. Younger cognacs are perfect for mixing into cocktails such as Sidecars and Between the Sheets. Why not try a simple mix of cognac, soda and a lemon wedge for an easy mix?
