Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas
Two of the most revered spirits in the world, Cognac and its sister spirit brandy make luxurious Christmas presents – take a look at our definitive gift guide suited to every style and budget.
We have plenty of Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas for every palate and budgetWhether your loved one is a staunch VS, VSOP, or XO fan, buying Cognac and brandy Christmas gifts can be a daunting task.
A somewhat shaded and elusive category in the mainstream spirits industry with massive price variation, Cognac and brandy presents various challenges to Christmas shoppers, who may question which sub-category would be most suitable, how much should they spend, and which Cognac’s are suited to which palates.
To help shoppers negate these various concerns, we’ve compiled our own little Christmas guide to Cognac and brandy gifts.
Following on from our handy guide to Scotch whisky Christmas gifts, liqueur Christmas gifts, and gin Christmas gifts, this list endeavours to help those seeking the perfect Cognac or brandy to present their loved ones with this Christmas, dividing the bottles by price range and category.
Think we’ve missed out some vital Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas under £50
VS
£26.50
A quintessential VS (Very Special) Cognac, the Hennessy VS is a blend of around 40 eaux-de-vie and is described as both sweet and spicy with underlying aromas of wood and vanilla. This bottle would be a ideal gift for a Cognac classicist.
VSOP
£30.95
Moving away from the big four Cognac names (Martell, Courvoisier, Rémy Martin and Hennessy) is our next pick, fine Champagne VSOP from Hine House. Ideal as both mixer and neat spirit, this Cognac, which consists of a blend of about 15 Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie, is described as floral and creamy.
XO
£49.65
Although classed as an XO, this Cognac was one of the first to proudly demonstrate an age statement. This bottling, described as both fruity and herbal, is also said to appeal to drinkers of other dark spirits who are looking to branch into Cognac.
Brandy
The Pleterje Charterhouse Pear Brandy
£44.99
Made by a team of monks at a Slovenian monastery using William Pears, this brandy offers something a little different since a pear is pickled inside each bottle as it grows on a tree. This is an ideal gift for someone who enjoys gifts accompanied by an interesting story.
Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas £50 – £100
VS
£64.95
Batting away Cognac’s dusty and antiquated image, instead giving the category a modern edge, is the Hennessy VS Kaws label bottling, which would be a perfect gift for a younger generation dark spirits drinker.
VSOP
Hennessy Fine Cognac Thomas Bastide Edition
£99.95
Described as heavy deep and earthy flavours with underlying notes of flowers and cinnamon, this Cognac is ideal for those who enjoy an after dinner drink. The classic look of this Thomas Bastide edition would also appeal to someone partial to the old aesthetics of spirits design.
XO
Frapin Chateau de Fontpinot XO Cognac
£94.95
This single estate XO Cognac is described as having a fiery and robust character which is offset by a touch of vanilla and cinnamon. Perfect for the Cognac connoisseur looking to move away from the dominating “big four” brands.
Brandy
£87.86
This Spanish grape brandy is aged for an average of 30 years in a traditional solera system. Suitable for those with a more mature palate, the brandy is described as having flavours of raisins, figs and soft spice.
Cognac and brandy Christmas gift ideas over £100
VS
£240
This rare bottling of Courvoisier VS from the 1950s is dubbed “the brandy of Napoleon”. With heavy notes of prunes and spice, this expression would make a special gift for a Cognac aficionado with a penchant for historical packaging.
VSOP
£199
Estimated to date back to the 1970s, this Remy Martin VSOP would also suit a developed palate with a taste for aged expressions. Rare, indulgent, and much sought-after this Cognac should be bought before stocks run out.
XO
£411.29
Distilled in 1961 using only grapes from the premier Grande Champagne region of Cognac, this is a beautiful creation by Hine House. Its hefty price tag is testament to its age and quality, making it an ideal gift for a Cognac connoisseur – if you can spare the change.
Brandy
Asbach Selection Brandy 21 Year Old
£120
Contained in a decadent and luxurious decanter, this 21-year-old brandy certainly looks the part. Produced by German distiller Asbach, this brandy is described as having notes of coffee and wood on the nose with a subtle caramel sweetness on the palate.
