I tell you how to start understanding cognac: what is the difference between vintage, ordinary and cognac drink and what do the stars and letters mean

It all started with the fact that my friend and I argued, and as a result of the loss, I had to buy him vintage cognac.

In the midst of the dispute, I did not really delve into what kind of cognac it was. However, when I lost and went on the Internet to look for this drink, the price for it, to put it mildly, struck me.

Therefore, I decided to figure out what cognacs are, and whether vintage can be replaced with ordinary. To do this, I had to replenish my knowledge about this noble drink. Now I share my discoveries with you.

How is cognac classified?

Cognac made abroad has a Western classification. The name cognac is given to drinks made in France in the Charente region.

The rest of the alcohol, infused in oak barrels, refers to grape brandy. At the same time, cognac is also made on the territory of the former USSR, but it has a different classification, indicated by asterisks on the label and letters next to the name.

In accordance with the Western classification, the following designations are applied to the bottles:

• VS (Very Special) – the drink was aged in barrels for at least 2 and no more than 3 years. Manufacturers also use the marking Selection, or Trois Etoiles, or de Luxe;
• S (Superior) – such an inscription can be seen on cognacs that are from 3 to 4 years old;
• SOP – this is the designation of cognacs from 4 to 5 years. The designations VO (Very Old) or Reserve, or Vieux are also possible.
• VSOP is a label for cognacs that are more than 5 and less than 6 years old. The Grande Reserve designation may also be used on bottles. For example, HENNESSY (Hennessy) VSOP costs about 5 thousand rubles.
• O. or Tres Vieux, Royal, Extra or Napoleon are cognacs that are over 6 years old.

Domestic classification is much more convenient. In accordance with it, cognac happens:

• ordinary;
• vintage;
• collectible.

What is cognac drink

The first thing that catches your eye in the store is that cognac drinks are much cheaper than cognac.

The consultant explained to me that the drink is made using accelerated technology. For its preparation, cognac alcohol obtained by distilling white wine is taken, distilled water and sugar color are added to it – a natural dye obtained on the basis of burnt sugar.

The resulting cocktail is subjected to accelerated maturation. To do this, specially treated oak shavings are added to it, mixed and heated. At high temperatures, the drink quickly acquires the desired aroma and color.

In terms of taste characteristics, cognac drinks are similar to traditional cognac, and the process of their manufacture does not take much time.

The most famous cognac drinks are the Armenian “Aragvi”, the Ukrainian “Yantar”. Drink Shustoff “Chocolatier” (Shustov Chocolatier) has a mild cherry-chocolate taste. The price of such drinks is about 300-400 rubles.

What is ordinary cognac

These are noble cognacs aged from 3 to 6 years. The older the drink, the more stars it has. The minimum number of stars that cognac has is three, meaning three years of aging.

These drinks are light in color. One of the best representatives of this group is the Moldavian “Kvint” (Quint) and “Jubilee”. The price of three-star cognacs starts from 400 rubles.

Four-star cognacs with a four-year exposure have a richer taste. At one time, the cognac of this group “White Stork” for 500 rubles was very popular.

Five-star – the best ordinary cognacs. Ini have a pronounced taste and dark color. The cost of ordinary five-year cognacs starts from 600 rubles. For example, for this money you can buy a five-star “Golden Dniester”. And the Greek “Metaxa 5” (Metaxa) will cost 1500 rubles.

What is vintage cognac

The age of vintage noble drinks starts from 6 years. For vintage cognacs there is a letter designation.

• KV – drinks aged from 6 to 8 years. Ararat Ani (Ararat Ani) HF costs approximately 1500 rubles;
• KVVK – cognacs 8-10 years old. The price for Ararat Akhtamar (Ararat Akhtamar) KVVK is about 2,5 thousand rubles;
• KS – have more than 10 years and less than 12 years of exposure. Twelve-year-old Ararat Nairi (Ararat Nairi) costs about 6 thousand rubles;
• OS – aged for more than 12 years. The cost of a bottle of thirty-year-old cognac Ararat Erebuni, (Ararat Erebuni) ranges from 80 to 90 thousand rubles.

What is collectible cognac

According to the domestic classification, cognac is considered collectible, the exposure of which is more than 23 years. And according to foreign – such cognacs can be drinks with a 6-year exposure, released in a limited batch and timed to coincide with some important event.

Kvint 30 (Kvint) costs about 8 thousand rubles, and the collection Grand Sargis (Grand Sargis) is about 80 thousand rubles.

As you can see, I was very glad that my friend did not ask for a collection cognac. I will go and, for joy, buy him a bottle of ten-year-old Ararat Akhtamar (Ararat Akhtamar).

Do you think he will like it? What cognac would you recommend?