10 Best Cognac Brands July 2015

#1 of 10 Best Cognac Labels of 2015 - When you are ready to truly "spend big" on a bottle of spirits that you might hold onto for a special celebration, Martell Creation Grand Extra may be your best choice. The Martell cognac house was established when powdered wigs were "a thing," and this product is Martell's vehicle for showcasing flavors from its store of casks that date back almost 200 years. This is an adult beverage for real grownups, and it has a flavor spectrum that allows you to take a taste of history. When you take that taster, be responsible about it.

#2 of 10 Best Cognac Labels of 2015 - With a glass of Majesté XO Cognac, you can celebrate a special moments majesty or toast to an exceptional person. This is one of the best liquids you can pour into a toasting snifter. This item's "XO" on its label means that its contents have spent no less than 72 months in oak barrels. Some of the cognac blended into a bottle of Majesté XO Cognac can have its age measured in decades. Obviously, this is not a party beverage. Majesté XO Cognac is meant for thoughtful, responsible toastmasters.

#3 of 10 Top Cognac Labels of 2015 - Courvoisier is one of the best-known names in cognac, and its special cognac blends are synonymous with sophistication. Born and bred in France's beloved Cognac region, Courvoisier Initiale Extra is an "extra old" cognac, which means the brandies used to create this product aged a minimum of six years in oak barrels. Six years is the minimum, and there is no maximum. You can count on some of the liquid your bottle of Courvoisier Initiale Extra to be at least 20 years old. When it is time to enjoy a glass of Courvoisier Initiale Extra, do it responsibly.

#4 of 10 Best Cognac Labels of 2015 - The Hennessy name is best recognized for its brand of cognacs. Richard Hennessy came to France's Cognac region from Ireland and established his distillery in 1765. In the centuries since, Hennessy has become synonymous with cognac. Few brands of spirits measure up to the Hennessy name. Hennessy makes a range of cognacs that can please any budget and personal taste. When you break out a bottle of Richard Hennessy's cognac at a party or for yourself, do it with forethought. You will thank yourself tomorrow.

#5 of 10 Leading Cognac Labels of 2015 - The cognac house of Leopold Gourmel does a different take on this specialized type of brandy than its contemporaries. Think of Leopold Gourmel's products as artisan cognacs. Leopold Gourmel Cognac Age des Epices is an aged cognac that uses a secret blend of spices to flavor the spirits within its bottle. This elegant cognac goes nicely with a fine cigar, and it is the perfect companion at the end of a long, fruitful day. If you select Leopold Gourmel Cognac Age des Epices as your end-of-day companion, be responsible with it.

#6 of 10 Best Cognac Labels of 2015 - Pierre Ferrand Reserve Cognac provides a truly unique cognac drinking experience. Pierre Ferrand Reserve Cognac starts out with a baked apple spice scent that is followed by the smell of sweet grapes, grape cough syrup and a slight hint of honey. Lemon peel and orange assault the taste buds at first sip. After the citrusy flavor, tasters experience pepper and oak flavors that lead into a strong fruit and pepper overlay for the finish. Pierre Ferrand Reserve Cognac is perfectly balanced with citrusy fruit, pepper and oak flavors. Fresh flavors of this cognac provide a unique tasting experience that is perfect for sipping.

#7 of 10 Best Cognac Labels of 2015 - Tracing history back to the late 1800s, Louis Royer Cognac is a tribute to the founder and five generations of his family. Over the years, their combined expertise in making spirits has strengthened, allowing these master craftsmen to perfect their signature cognac blends. Boasting at least four unique, handcrafted cognacs, this brand is known for their ingenuity and use of complex flavors and fragrances. Most of the Louis Royer cognacs are aged to perfection for a minimum of two years within oaken casks, while others are churned within old whiskey barrels to gather the imprinted tastes, scents, and richness of vintage spirits.

#8 of 10 Leading Cognac Labels of 2015 - A. De Fussigny Cognac is made with the best of French traditions. The Cognac has been made the same way since 1814 in Cognac, France. The distillery is located next to the Charente River as it has all along. They use a master blender to help preserve the traditional tastes that Cognac lovers have come to expect from the brand, but they have also launched a newer line of Cognac flavors to appeal to the palette of more modern drinkers. The lengthy aging process is one of the secrets to the continued success of the A. De Fussigny Cognac brand.

#9 of 10 Top Cognac Labels of 2015 - It is all in the name, Camus Cognac Extra Elegance. A sumptuous and velvety blend of Borderies, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus, this cognac is aged much like a very fine wine. Dampness, coolness and a leisurely aging process produce an eaux-de-vie of exceptional complexity and flavor. Noted for this complexity, as well as its finesse and roundness, Camus Cognac Extra Elegance is the ultimate taste experience for those who appreciate and crave only the very best in spirits.

#10 of 10 Leading Cognac Labels of 2015 - There are two different stories as to where Cognac Gautier began, but the general consensus is somewhere between the 16th and 18th centuries. Beginning next to the Osme River, which is a humid, almost tropical climate, this brand blended flavorful, aromatic mash-ups of dried fruits, sweets, and warm spices for their collection of premier cognacs. Over the years, the master craftsmen of Cognac Gautier have perfected their method for blending and distilling their signature line of spirits. Catering to cognac connoisseurs, this brand is invested in handcrafting a sophisticated, amber beverage that is better sipped and savored straight-up or on the rocks.