Proper cognac age for mixing?

[dugedug]

At what age is cognac acceptable as being able to mix? Is VSOP or XO to old? I have been working on a bottle of Remy Martin X.O. Excellence but am of the mind that in mixing it with cranberry I will lose the complexity of the spirit.

How about the Armagnacs? Same principle for mixing?

 

[arghblech]

At what age is cognac acceptable as being able to mix? Is VSOP or XO to old? I have been working on a bottle of Remy Martin X.O. Excellence but am of the mind that in mixing it with cranberry I will lose the complexity of the spirit.

How about the Armagnacs? Same principle for mixing?

Why on earth would you want to mix with either of these, especially Armagnac?

 

[Mazeman]

I'm of a belief that you only use booze in your mixed drinks that you would enjoy drinking straight.

So for me, that rules out any VS. So I would say the VSOP. The XO is just too expensive.

BTW, I believe the original Sazerac cocktail used Cognac.

 

[TimmyBoston]

If you're mixing it, who cares?

 

[Luc]

Personnaly, I wouldn't mix XO, never. But that's just me. I usually use the cheapest available for mixing but I'm not a mix drinker type either...

If it feels right to you, then it's fine. VS would be my mixing choice...

 

[danek]

Personally, I don't ever mix cognac. IMO there are just too many decent brandies produced on this side of the planet. I think you can get a much higher quality brandy for the same (or less) money that you'd spend on one from France... and if you are adding any flavors (citrus, bitters, etc.) you wouldn't notice any French terroir, anyway.