Our 10 Favorite Cognac for Beginners

Beginners to cognac will encounter Remy Martin soon after starting their brandy journey. This iconic brand offers an introductory VSOP cognac that is anything but basic. Taste the opulence of Remy Martin VSOP with its notes of vanilla, apricot, and apples. Try this one neat or on the rocks to enjoy its complex flavors and aromas.

Explore another premium cognac brand with a bottle of Martell VSOP. Aged for at least four years, this fruit-forward cognac tastes like peaches, plums, and apricots. This cognac is approachable for beginners with its soft flavors of wood and spices lingering in the background.

Hennessy ranks as the most popular and recognizable cognac brand available in the United States. Hennessy Cognac delivers a rich, deeply flavored cognac with a stunning mahogany color. While this is a more robust cognac than others, it is still a great choice for beginners to experience a classic.

Unlike other cognacs on this list, Marancheville XO Grande Champagne hails from a single growing region. The grapes within this cognac originate from the same lands as authentic French champagne. This makes this premium cognac a complex and pure flavor experience for beginning cognac drinkers.

This single-origin cognac comes from a niche area of the official Cognac growing region called the Borderies. Cognacs from this region embody a delicate flavor, with floral aromas and a light drinking experience. Beginners to cognac drinking may appreciate a fresh and flowery approach to this traditional distilled spirit.

The United States puts its own spin on this next cognac for beginners. Bache Gabrielsen American Oak ages for several years in traditional oak barrels before transitioning to at least six months in American oak. This brand developed the first cognac aged in American oak casks for a uniquely flavored liquor with tropical aromas.

This Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP) cognac builds on 200 years of experience to deliver this mellow cognac. Savor the flavors of honeysuckle, citrus, and mango fruits, and smell the flowers and spices in this approachable brandy. Enjoy this premium liquor by drinking neat and allow it to warm in your hand before sipping.

This sophisticated cognac offers drinkers the experience of a powerful, premium cognac. A collision of cinnamon and floral aromas arrives first when enjoying D'usse Cognac VSOP. Cinnamon continues as the dominant flavor of this bold cognac, with nutty and woodsy tastes added. Enjoy this smoky cognac for a sidecar to balance the bright, citrus flavors.

This premium cognac offers an elevated version of a perfected cognac. Two rare grapes combine for intense fruit and floral flavors of the Pierre Ferrand Ambre, grown in the Premier Cru de Cognac region. An oak tree native to Ireland imparts subtle vanilla flavors and a shimmering amber color to this cognac.

Beginner cognac drinkers can be introduced to its taste without breaking the bank with Raynal VSOP. While a budget-friendly option, this liquor delivers all of the signature flavors of cognac. Discover flavors of candied fruit, almonds, walnuts, and ginger with a velvety and long-lasting finish.