Cognac and brandy
Cognac and brandy at T.J.'s Fine Wine and Liquor in Brandon, Mississippi: what it is, how to choose it, and the brands on our shelf.
Cognac is brandy from one region of western France, distilled from grapes and aged in French oak. Brandy is the wider family, and plenty of good brandy is made elsewhere for a good deal less.
How to choose
The initials are an age scale. VS means the youngest brandy in the blend spent at least two years in oak. VSOP means at least four. XO means at least ten. Napoléon sits at six. They describe age, not quality.
VS is for mixing. It stands up to cola, ginger ale, lemon and sugar, and nobody should feel bad about that. VSOP is the flexible middle, good in a glass or a sidecar. XO is an after-dinner pour.
Beyond cognac. Armagnac is drier and more rustic. Spanish brandy is aged in sherry casks and comes out raisiny. American grape brandy is soft and made for mixing. Apple brandy and calvados suit pork and autumn cooking.
Serving. Room temperature in a small tulip glass, not a giant balloon and never over a flame. Good with dark chocolate, coffee and toasted nuts.
Brands on our shelf
All brands we carryRead first
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Common questions
- What is the difference between cognac and brandy?
- Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine or other fermented fruit. Cognac is grape brandy made in the Cognac region of France under specific grape, distillation and ageing rules, so every cognac is brandy but not every brandy is cognac.
- What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
- These terms identify the minimum age of the youngest spirit in a cognac blend. VS requires at least two years in oak, VSOP at least four years and XO at least ten years under current rules.
- How is cognac usually served?
- Cognac can be served neat, with a small amount of water, over ice or in cocktails. A smaller tulip-shaped glass concentrates aroma without requiring the drink to be warmed, and room temperature is a practical starting point.
- Does T.J.'s Fine Wine and Liquor carry cognac and brandy?
- Yes. T.J.'s Fine Wine and Liquor carries cognac and brandy at 237 Orleans Way, Suite B, Brandon, Mississippi. Browse the brand names on this page, then call (769) 348-0006 to confirm a specific bottle before you drive in.