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Cognac is a solid drink of wealthy gentlemen and serious men. Drinking it “on the go” from plastic cups, snacking on unpretentious food “what was found in the refrigerator” – to sabotage the very idea of elite alcohol and deprive yourself of the lion’s share of pleasure. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right glasses for cognac. On the one hand, they should reveal the taste and aroma, on the other hand, they should have a beautiful appearance, emphasizing the status of the owner.
Brandy (and we remember that cognac belongs to this particular classification of alcoholic beverages) appeared a very long time ago – long before the onset of the Middle Ages, and then they drank it from squat pot-bellied goblets. Apparently, already then our ancestors knew what all sommeliers and connoisseurs of aged strong drinks know today: it is this form that best contributes to the disclosure of the cognac aroma.
Snifter – a classic cognac glass
Classic cognac glasses are called snifters, they are also “brandy glass”, “balloon”, “cognac balloon”. These are round vessels, tapering upwards, on a short stem. Of these, it is customary to taste drinks of the XO category – extra old (at least 6 years old). The older the cognac, the thinner its taste and deeper aroma. In order to feel all the nuances of the bouquet, the golden liquid is poured into a glass about a quarter – up to the widest point of the bowl, warmed with the warmth of the palms, allowed to properly saturate with oxygen and “breathe”.
The very word “snifter (snifter)” comes from the English sniff – “sniff”, and indeed – often in the collections of table etiquette you can see the advice: “bring a glass to your nose and carefully inhale the aroma concentrated in the upper part of the vessel.”
The narrower the upper part of the snifter, the stronger the concentration of the bouquet.
The volume of these glasses for cognac varies from 70 to 700 ml, although there are also more capacious designer or souvenir models. There is an unspoken rule: the older the drink, the larger the glass should be so that the aroma “walks” properly, but does not disappear.
Canonical snifters are made of thin glass or crystal. The design feature is such that even if a glass of cognac topples over, the liquid will not spill, but remains inside. Since these glasses are intended for expensive elite alcohol, they are often decorated with gilding, inlay, and precious stones.
Cognac is not customary to cool, the temperature when serving should correspond to room temperature – about 18-22 degrees. Sometimes the drink is even heated, for this special glasses and designs are used, one of which is shown in the photo.
Other types of cognac glasses
Tulips. The second name is cognac glasses. They are thin glasses on a high stem, shaped like a drop-down bud. These vessels are suitable for young drinks: unaged cognac has a rather sharp aroma, “beating the nose”, so it’s better to let it disperse a little, become more tender.
It is curious that it is tulips, and not snifters, that are very common in France – the homeland of cognac.
Experts recommend keeping both snifters and cognac glasses in the home bar. The former are good for leisurely conversations by the fireplace with a glass of aged cognac, the latter for a fun feast and tasting a few drinks.
Wobble glass. “Wobble” is the same snifter, but without a leg, but with a pointed spike at the bottom. Such glasses cannot stand, only lie down, gracefully rolling in the manner of a tumbler. Rotating around its axis, the “wobble” mixes the drink, which helps the aroma to fully open up.
Pipe snifters (“tubular” glasses). The original hybrid of a snifter and a hookah with a long tube. Connoisseurs assure that with such glasses the “ceremony” becomes even more refined and solemn.
Brandy glasses
Remember that cognac is also brandy. If it turns out that there are no round snifters or tulip glasses in the house, you can use the good old fashion glasses or rocks – shortened wide vessels with a thick bottom.
Quite often, cognac is compared with whiskey, but this is a mistake: the first drink is made from grapes, and the second is made from barley or corn (bourbon). However, whiskey glasses are also suitable for brandy, so in the collections of cognac experts you can find tumblers, noses, and even shot glasses.
Famous manufacturers of cognac glasses
Sommeliers keep a whole collection of snifters at home – masters say that the slightest change in the shape or thickness of a glass already affects the disclosure of taste. The most famous manufacturers include:
- Spiegelau
- Glenfarclas
- Wilson&Morgan
- Glencairn
- Friends of Laphroaig
- Glenlivet
- Ardbeg and others.
Schott Zwiesel Pure Cognac Glass makes “non-canonical” thick-walled glasses. You pick up such a snifter, and you understand – a thing! Don’t break or scratch.
Other manufacturers may “play” with the leg height, bowl shape and rim thickness. This is how exquisite models for special occasions are born.