As Cognac recovers from the declines prompted by the Chinese government’s 2012 austerity drive, The Spirits Business rounds up 10 of the category’s best-value bottlings.

SB rounds up 10 of the Cognac category’s best-value bottlings.

The Spirits Business held its annual Cognac Masters last month, where an experienced panel of judges recognised the best bottlings in the business.

Looking across multiple categories, from VSOP Premium and XO Single Cru to Single Vintage, a wide range of Cognacs were awarded the top accolades of Master and Gold medals for their quality.

The individual scores of each entrant have not been revealed, however these are 10 of the highest rated medalists in the competition, in no particular order.

While some expressions are not standard priced, our judges have given each Cognac listed here the seal of approval for offering excellent quality within their respective price categories.

Click through to the following pages to view the top 10 best value for money Cognacs of 2017.

Pierre Morin Cognac VSOP

Price: €30 
After a heated debate about defining “quality” in more unusual expressions, the panel selected Pierre Morin Cognac VSOP as the first Master medal of the day in the VSOP Single Estate flight. Crafted by Cognac Pierre Croizet, the expression was deemed “incredibly well­-integrated”. “I loved the pronounced, expressive nose – there were layers from the first suggestion of sweetness to the dry spicy fruit on the palate,” one judge said.

J.Dupont Art Déco XO Grande Champagne

Price: £150
The XO Single Cru flight saw a Gold medal awarded to J.Dupont Art Déco XO Grande Champagne, deemed “perfect for the Cognac fan who loves their Cognac” by one panel member. Created by Maison Boinaud, the liquid is bottled at 40% abv,

Renault Cognac VS Bleu Nuit

Price: €39
Judges found Renault Cognac VS Bleu Nuit to be “refined, dried fruit-­ and spice­-led”, awarding it a Gold medal in the VS – Premium flight. The expression has been blended from long-maturing eaux-de-vie aged in hand-made Limousine oak barrels. While the issue of VS consumer preconceptions was raised, the panel predicted that change is on that horizon. “It will get better,” one judge remarked. “Growth is coming from VS and VSOP, so I think producers will put more effort into the entry­-level expressions.”

Honor VS Cognac

Price: £47
The second Gold medal in the VS – Premium flight was the “big flavour, well balanced” Honor VS Cognac. The expression is produced using eaux-de-vie from the cellars of Birkedal Hartmann, hailing from the Grande Champagne, Fins Bois, and Bon Bois regions in Cognac, which are matured for several years in French Limousine oak casks.

Louis Royer Extra Grande Champagne

Price: £285
Arguably one of Louis Royer’s most well-known Cognacs,  Louis Royer Extra Grande Champagne secured a Gold medal in the XO – Ultra Premium flight, where it was revered for its “lovely fruity nose” and “deep, complex palate”. The liquid is made entirely from eaux-de-vie taken from the Grande Champagne region and is bottled at 40% abv.

Leyrat VSOP

Price: 48
Leyrat VSOP was awarded a Gold medal in the VSOP – Single Estate flight for its “smooth and delicate nose” and “very elegant palate”. The judges felt the expression represented good value for money, and was “very well made”. The liquid is said to offer white-fleshed fruits, flowers and wood flavours, with finishing notes of new oak and spices.

Camus XO Borderies

Price: £149
The panel awarded five Gold medals in the XO Ultra Premium flight, signalling confidence from blenders to allow character to shine through with age. One highly esteemed expression was Camus XO Borderies, from Camus La Grande Marque. “Camus XO Borderies is gentle and delicate on the nose, like an XO should be,” one judge remarked. 

Hermitage 1967 Petite Champagne Cognac

Price: £131
Made on a small 12 hectolitre still in the heart of Grande Champagne, Hermitage 1967 Petite Champagne Cognac secured a Gold medal in the Single Vintage flight for its “punchy but quite elegant” profile. Made by Hermitage Cognacs, the expression is bottled at 41% abv.

Merlet Brothers Blend VSOP

Price: £38
Scoring a Gold medal in the VSOP – Premium flight was Merlet & Fils’ Merlet Brothers Blend VSOP – an “elegant, vibrant and classy” expression containing a blend of eaux-de-vie aged between four and 10 years. Apparently Cognac was created to reflect the “enthusiastic and determined” characters of Gilles Merlet’s sons Pierre and Luc.

Pierre Morin Cognac XO Elegance

Price: €30
The penultimate XO Single Estate flight comprised a Cognac so revered it was given the second and final Master medal of the day – Pierre Morin Cognac XO Elegance by Cognac Pierre Croizet. “It’s exquisite,” said one judge, while another added that the balance was “just perfect. From the nose to the palate it just blends”.