Best Cognac Under $100

Meet the royalty among the Cognacs Ever met a royalty? Burger King doesn't count. Let us introduce you to the monarch of spirits. Meet 1738 Accord Royal, an exquisite and unique Cognac blend from the Cognac monarch Rémy Martin, from the very heartland of Cognacs - yes, you guessed it, the city of Cognac. This lavish liquor is everything extraordinary about France in a bottle. It got its name from the special year of 1738, when King Louis XV granted the Accord Royal to Rémy Martin, which allowed him to plant vines on his land (which was banned in France until then). This bottle is a blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne grape (in 65:35 ratio) and has been known for its big-brute flavor and a mellow finish since it first came out in 1997. 1738 Accord Royal sits comfortably between VSOP and XO, which makes it a Napoléon Cognac: aged for at least six years in oak barrels, but in average, such Cognacs are 20 years old. When this deep amber delicacy is poured into a glass, it demands to be tasted, and it can be enjoyed in so many ways: sip it straight, drink it as a digestif, take it on the rocks, or make a mean cocktail out of it. We recommend Emperor's Call! If you're a fan of the cult VSOP, you will definitely love this royal upgrade of vanilla and vinous notes with some additional regal gusto that brought this Cognac a silver medal in 2014.

A wonderful, approachable, award-winning example of Hardy’s Cognac heritage and expertise. Back in the mid 1800s, Anthony Hardy — an Englishman — fell in love with northern France and Cognac. After decades of flirting with the region as an importer of Cognac into England, he eventually moved there, changed his name from Anthony to Antoine, and opened up his own Cognac distillation house (a “Maison”). Hey… follow your passions, right? Today, Maison Hardy produces a few lovely Pineaus and a wide range of Cognacs from the middle price points all the way up to some truly fantastic artistic expressions arrayed in fine crystal decanters. Hardy Legend 1863 is named for the year in which the Hardy Distillery was founded. It’s a lovely blend of Hardy Cognacs made from 100% Ugni Blanc grapes raised in limestone soils within three of the seven producing districts — Petits Champaign, Fins Bois, and Borderies. The Spirit is aged in lightly-toasted Limousin oak barrels from two to twelve years. It is a wonderful, approachable, award-winning example of Hardy’s expertise and we would have a dram whenever there is a bottle open to pour.

Outstanding and very superior Cognac   In the heart of the Cognac region, there’s a winemaker inspired by Armenian heritage. Cellar Master Gilles Arramon, an experienced heir of ancient tradition with a PhD in oenology, handpicks only the best Eaux-de-vie from both Champagne regions — the Grande and the Petite one. At House Guy de Bersac, he creates a small-batch top-notch Cognac wonder: Levon le Magnifique. It’s named after the Armenian king Levon I a.k.a. The Magnificent.   Their VSOP (or Very Superior Old Pale) is an outstanding Cognac. The deep amber hue and the opulent aromas will take you on sensory vacay to the lush region of Cognac. Levon VSOP is a celebration of luxury — of enjoying life and having that "joie de vivre" everyone’s raving about. VSOP is perfect for neat tippling or putting it in a lovely cocktail (Bermuda Highball, anyone?). If your downtime moments need something sweet’n’spicy, opulent and unapologetically ritzy, pour a glass of Levon VSOP and treat yourself.

Hardy Cognac VSOP Organic is first, and foremost, a fine VSOP Cognac with all that this entails, and the “organic” designation and recycled packaging that might just add a bit of extra value.    It is common to confuse Maison Hardy—the maker of fine French Cognacs and Aperitifs—with A. Hardy USA. The latter is a distributor that imports dozens of brands into the States, including Maison Hardy Cognacs. We are talking about Maison Hardy here, and they focus on producing a range of Cognacs and two Pineaus, rose and blanc (Pineau is a local French fortified wine … a sweet, “earthy” Sherry-style aperitif with lots of tannin).    Back in the early 1800s, Anthony Hardy—an Englishman—fell in love with northern France and Cognac. After decades of flirting with the region as an importer of Cognac into England, he eventually moved there, changed his name from Anthony to Antoine, and opened up his own Cognac distillation house (a “maison”). Hey … follow your passions, right? Today, Maison Hardy produces two lovely Pineaus and a wide range of Cognacs (do NOT call it Brandy!) from the middle price points all the way up to some truly fantastic artistic expressions arrayed in fine crystal decanters.   Hardy Cognac VSOP Organic is first, and foremost, a fine VSOP Cognac with all that this entails; including the minimum of four years aging in wood according to the legal description (yes, there is a French law on the matter), proper grape varietals, and provenance … it is all in there equal to their “standard” VSOP product. The “Organic” is tagged on to the name because this batch sources their grapes form a certified organic vineyard just up the road from the, well … non-certified one.    So, let’s cut to the chase … what does it taste like? Maison Hardy always does a great job and this is no exception. Hardy Cognac VSOP Organic has a perfumed elegance and refinement with all the floral aromas and purity that connoisseurs look for, and the easy-drinking smoothness that spirit lovers crave with the “organic” designation and recycled packaging that might just add a bit of extra value. You be the judge, but you will not be disappointed by the spirit.   

Martell Blue Swift: The Brandy Bastard If you make anything for over three centuries, chances are you are pretty damn good at it. House Martell is the eldest of the major Cognac houses. Founded in 1715 by Jean Martell along the banks of the Charente, at the pinnacle of the French "L’Art de Vivre." The French basically have this way of living, where they believe in embracing all of the good stuff life has to offer. Martell Spirit Drink is definitely the good stuff, with a full range of expressions for us to indulge in. La vie est belle, d’accord? Cheers to House Martell. The young Briton put himself on the map by marrying into "Cognac Royalty" not once, but twice! His second marriage was to Jeanne-Rachel Lallemand, "a direct descendant of Jacques Roux, a pioneering 17th century cognac merchant," by the 19th century, Martell had become the biggest international exporter of Cognac in the world, reaching as far as China and Japan. Now under Pernod Ricard, House Martell has robust range of Cognacs; a collection of 10 expressions. They predominantly use Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) grapes from the Borderies vineyards, aging its premium Spirit in Tronçais oak casks. They double distill their blends, with traditional "Charentais alembics" (pot stills). If Cognacs had royal families, The House Martell would definitely be one. In this Martell royal family there are 10 Cognacs, and 1 bastard Brandy; the Martell Blue Swift. If Martell Spirit Drink is House Stark, Blue Swift is Jon Snow. It is 100% Martell V.S.O.P. aged in French oak and finished in a Kentucky Bourbon American oak cask. Commemorating its longstanding history with the United States (Martell was the first to ship Cognac to America, we think a few merci's are in order). The Blue Swift is also a symbol of The House Martell's family crest, a bird that can stay airborne for up to 10 months when crossing the Atlantic. This Eaux-de-vie-de-vin is a premium Spirit with a Bourbon twist. The result is a fruity Brandy blend, paired with a smokey vanilla Bourbon flavor. A work of art for Bourbon lovers everywhere!