Now that you’ve read up on how brandy is made let’s get into enjoying our chosen spirit. These are just a couple of small tips on how to sip on a tipple. It won’t be as one sided as a Bulls vs. Leopards rugby match or a rat being thrown into a snake tank. There are various ways to enjoy brandy and/or cognac.
Neat or Mixed
First things first, you can’t just say "YA" I want a brandy or cognac and just sommer gooi some coke or soda in a gaad dzaym XO cognac or 15 year old reserve brandy; you do that, I Master Yack as the self appointed guardian angel for the preservation of brandy would pop up and whoop your ass and banish you to the land of box wine. What you need to know is palates vary so what works for you might not work for me, but you have to consider the age of the spirit when deciding to go neat or mixed.
For your cognacs consider if it’s a VS (very special) or VSOP (very special old pale) or a XO (extra old), with brandy there are years, brands vary as to how they label them. Read the back of the bottle there’s always a brief history on the bottle in your hand. There’s quite a range in terms of age. You have your 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, and even 20 year olds. The younger it is the more suitable it is for mixing, once you get to Ten years old and above, stop F*#king mixing you’re rolling with the big boys now, the most you can add is a block of ice or a drop of water anything more you borderline immoral.
Choose your Glass
Choose carefully; you can’t exactly enjoy a 20 year old reserve in a tumbler now can you? That would be downright disrespectful.
You have three types of glasses, your tulip glass mainly used for traditional cognac tasting, then you have the balloon snifter which can be used and is perfect for both brandy and cognac, then you have the wobble snifter this came with the design boys equally as effective for tasting and appreciating a fine spirit.
Your Environment
Who wants to be sipping some beautiful fire water in some backstreet? So choose a great environment. How about getting the boys around your newly acquired bottle and sit back and take in the atmosphere enjoy a good laugh while enjoying a damn fine glass of an XO or a tall drink of your favourite VS with ginger ale and a slice of lemon? Ultimately create or be in an environment that will enhance your brandy vs cognac experience.
Temperature
This is mainly for those who are drinking their brandy or cognac neat. What needs to happen here is, once you’ve poured your chosen cognac or brandy into a balloon snifter or tulip glass or wobble snifter, let it sit for at least ten minutes; just to let it breathe and release the aromas. When tasting take note of the nose - these are the aromas being released. Start from at least 5cm from your nose and draw closer take special attention of these notes.
The Notes
FRUITS - Cherry, apricot, peach, plum, fig, quince and citrus
FLOWERS - Violet, lime, lavender
SPICY - Cloves, ginger, vanilla
NUT - Peanuts, almonds, walnuts
WOOD - Oak, pine, cedar
SOMETIMES - Cigar box aromas and roasted coffee
Taste
These are the flavours you experience; look out for these flavours. A good brandy should have sweetness to it. Look out for fruity flavours such as peach, apricots, and dried fruits, as well as a certain nuttiness and sometimes smokiness which the wood of the cask has contributed.
Age Breakdown
VS - Very Special; aged for minimum of two and a half years in a cask.
VSOP - Very Special Old Pale; aged for a minimum of four years in a cask.
XO - Extra Old; the youngest brandy has to be aged for a minimum of 6 years but generally contain brandies aged 20 years or older. As of the year 2016 the minimum age will be 10 years old.