I think we all can agree that Remy Martin is about as good as it gets with ubiquitously available brandy, but I'm thinking of getting a less pricey alternative for Christmas Day. I've got Courvoisier VSOP at 350 yuan or Martell X.O at 454. I alwys rated Martell as lower then "the other two". Is this sound reasoning?
Brandy. Courvoisier of Martell?
- Thread starter scottish steve
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I'm going to go with neither (sorry), but of those two I've only had the Courvoisier, which I wasn't crazy about. To be fair, it was quite a while ago. For VSOP, see if you can find Hine. At least here in the States, I've found it to be one of the best values in cognac.
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Out of the 2 I woul go for Courvoisier, but if I had a free choice I would go for Metaxa.
I think your reasoning is sound, though for "readily available anywhere" cognacs I tend towards Hennessey for some reason (maybe nostalgia?). For Martell, I've only had the Cordon Bleu (which is 100% awesome), and the regular VS (which ain't bad for a cheap brandy). I had some of the Courvoisier VSOP a couple of weeks ago, I would actually put it a notch above good old Remy...
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Ah, Hennessy and Hine. I forgot about them. What's the difference on taste? Is the Courvoisier (I hate typing that word) sweeter, more balanced, more multi-dimensional?
Obsessed:
+ 1 and I find this warm golden color Cognac full of flavor with soft tones of vanilla, honey, oak wood and spice that is very smooth on the palate.
Christopher
Attached Image - Hine VSOP Cognac
Attachments
Personally, I would prefer the Courvoisier. That is because it's sweet and smooth. Easy to drink.
Dave Martell.
Who?
Don't like Martell or Hennessey --- not refined enough for my taste. Courvoisier is okay - full, sweetish taste, with a nice mellow aftertaste. However, don't limit yourself to Cognac's. Several non-Cognac Napoleons I've tried match up with and surpass the cheaper cognac's. Armagnac is also good. 
I've heard great things about Pierre Ferrand Ambre which should be available at a similar price point as Courvoiser and Martell.
Thanks for the info. Will try and get a bottle to enjoy over the Christmas period.
Neither.
I, too, was looking for a less expensive option for the holiday egg nog and went with Courvoisier. Works well for that, but a little boring neat.
You know, I've never put brandy in my nog. It's always been rum or bourbon. I'll have to try that this year. I think I definitely need to do an eggnog taste test.
You know, I've never put brandy in my nog. It's always been rum or bourbon. I'll have to try that this year. I think I definitely need to do an eggnog taste test.
Sounds like a plan. I'll be right over.
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Obsessed:
+ 1 and I find this warm golden color Cognac full of flavor with soft tones of vanilla, honey, oak wood and spice that is very smooth on the palate.
Christopher"All Cognacs are Brandy...but not all Brandys are Cognac". Christopher
Attached Image - Hine VSOP Cognac
+2 I go for Hine when I can find it.
Chris:
Thanx for the 'shot-out', support and for sharing!!!
VSOP or better but brands/types are subjective. You might also consider Spanish Brandies which are big, brassy, and bold. Armagnac is also excellent as is Calvados which is made from apples. Germain-Robin and Jaxon Keys(formerly Jepson) are American Brandies made similar to Cognac and are worth trying.
My grandfather was a huge cognac man and his brand was Courvoisier. I haven't had the Hine, but it looks like a good choice. I'd have to say I prefer Courvoisier to Martell, but it might just be nostalgia kicking in. Although I might tend to choose an XO over a VSOP even if it's Courvoisier!
Hennessy is also good, but I think it might be a bit sweeter than others I have tried.
Hennessy is also good, but I think it might be a bit sweeter than others I have tried.
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