Can You Mix Cognac And Whiskey
Before anyone starts to read this and throws their hands up in horror at the thought of adding water to a precious glass of cognac, hold on a moment.Of course, it is a common practice to add water to whisky, the rationale being that this breaks the surface tension of the liquid and creates a chemical reaction. In turn this raises the temperature of the whisky by a minute amount which then releases other subtle aromas. It is this smell which adds to the taste.Without getting too technical, a person’s sense of smell has a huge influence on their sense of taste, so being able to breathe in these aromas heightens the experience. Related products.So, why do we add water to whisky, but in general, not to cognac?Well actually, in many countries of the world, watering down the is common practice, especially in Asia.
Can You Mix Cognac And Whiskey Price
This is done either by the addition of ice cubes or a small amount of water. In fact, according to various sources, such as Cognac Otard, adding a small quantity of water can have the same effect as it does when added to whisky; releasing certain aromas and so altering the taste sensation. However, this addition of water needs to be in proportion, as too much can spoil the aromas completely.If you choose to add water in the form of ice cubes, then it will be necessary to wait until just enough has melted to suit your particular palate. Indeed, this can be an interesting experiment as the aromas, and therefore taste, will change very slightly as more of the ice melts. But it should be noted that excessive cooling of cognac will actually prevent some of the more subtle aromas to come through.If you choose to add water to cognac, then it should really only be to a or VSOP – these are also the cognacs more usually used in. Again, this is a form of watering them down. But if you are lucky enough to have an XO, then in our opinion, you’ll be far better off to thank your lucky stars, settle back, and allow yourself to be seduced by the sensation of drinking it neat.Water versus no water?
It’s all a matter of personal preference.Sources: www.askmetafilter.com, www.reddit.comPic: Drawn by Torsten Henning. Re-coded by Albin JacobssonWa ter Pic: Fir0002, flagstaffotos.com.au. Let’s not forget that Cognac in the cask is very much stronger in alcohol than it is when presented in the bottle. Adding water or soda with or without ice is a practice learned in Asia from the original UK – remember, whisky or whiskey is from British isles and Ireland, and it was brought to Asia by the colonial rule, for the rulers to begin with, for their own needs.
Drinking “neat” is considered perfectly ok in US but not so much in UK, at least was not during the colonial era, and social grace was adding water or ice and – or – soda, for normal (as opposed to hard core addicted) people. What is more wine was too taken with water in Europe in times of yore. Cynthia at Martell!I like the design of the Martell Cordon Bleu bottle!Must be expensive though.When you look at-the cost of the nice bottle-the world-wide campaign of telling us what kind of qualitylife we get drinking Martell-return on investmest for the Martell owners-the margin distributors and retailers chargeWhat share is really left for providing us consumers with a quality cognac? Us who are paying for the product?Not much!In terms of value for money you cant be worse off than buying Martell and the other sugared tax-free cognacs – sorry Cynthia!Try out the smaller cognac companies. Most of them too add “tons” of sugar but you are not paying for the expensive marketing and the nice bottles!
- In order to be considered Cognac the wine must be distilled twice in copper pot stills, and with the end product being aged two years in French oak barrels. Cognac gets its color from the oak barrels just like whiskey, but most Cognacs are aged much longer than whiskey with a minimum two year requirement.
- HOW TO MIX THIS COCKTAIL Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon. INGREDIENTS 2 Parts Scotch Whisky 2 Parts Cognac.
May 15, 2011 To drink cognac, serve it at room temperature in a tulip glass, balloon glass, or wobble snifter. Before you take a sip, hold the glass in the palm of your hand for several minutes to help warm up the liquor and release its natural flavors.
We all have our favorite drinks. And Bourbon is about as American as pumpkin pie and good ol’ Abe Lincoln.
But you know? On occasion, a change is as good as a rest, and you might just fancy a different drink to savor.The iconic drink of Cognac really can hit the spot.
But of course, there are so many to choose from. This amount of choice can almost make it impossible to choose, especially if you’re new to the delights of Cognac. But never fear, because the great thing is that thanks to some wonderful innovation by various Cognac cellar masters, there are some on the market that will truly appeal to a lover of Bourbon.When choice is a ‘bad’ thingOK, so imagine you’re a kid in a candy shop for the first time. The amount of treats on offer is overwhelming. And if you’ve never tried any before, then how on earth can you know what might appeal to your taste buds?The same applies to Cognac. With around 200 producers, each creating tens or even hundreds of different products, the sheer variety makes it nigh on impossible to know which might appeal.So, with this in mind, the following is a small selection of Cognacs that have been either created with the Bourbon drinker in mind, or with taste ‘codes’ that hit the same markers as a good Bourbon. The key to this Cognac is in the final stages of the aging process.
There are strict limitations on how this French brandy has to be produced to carry the prestigious name of ‘Cognac’. One of these is that the spirit has to be aged in Limousin oak barrels.Naturally, this has been adhered to in the creation of this Cognac. But at the end of the process something special happens. The spirit is then transferred to new barrels that are made from Tennessee oak. The result of this is a Cognac with a distinctly different taste, and one that’s proving extremely popular with those who enjoy their Bourbon. The aromas are of pear, ripe apricot, and vanilla.
And on the palate enjoy delicious hints of coconut, caramel and chocolate.Savor it neat, on the rocks, or with a drop of water for a subtle change on both the nose and palate. Camus is the fifth largest Cognac house (behind Hennessy, Courvoisier, Remy Martin and Martell), but the largest that is still family owned. This Ile de Re Fine Island Cognac is unique, thanks to both the area the grapes are grown and the location they are aged.The Ile de Re is the most westerly part of the Cognac regions, and on an Island. This means they undergo the full force of Mother Nature and the sea.
The spirit is then aged close in Camus’s cellars, close to the ocean, where the salty air continues to work its magic. The end result is surprisingly smooth, fruity taste, yet one that’s incredibly light and fresh. Best enjoyed chilled or over ice-and be sure to appreciate that smooth finish with a little hint of salt. Grande Champagne is the ‘premier cru’ of the Cognac growth region, and for good reason. Grapes grown in these classic chalky soils end up making a truly smooth, flavorsome Cognac. And this 10-year-old delight has taste codes that are somewhat similar to a good Bourbon.Balanced, smooth, and delicate, you can expect aromas of nuts and sweet spices. This continues on the palate, and surprise with its complexity and lightness.
The finish is delightful; balanced, with intense woody notes, and a deep, earthy flavor that’s only found in a Cognac that’s well aged. These Cognacs are a great place for the Bourbon drinker to start their Cognac journey. Of course, no-one is trying to move your loyalty away from your beloved Bourbon, but for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life, then the odd Cognac experience is a fine thing indeed.Cognac has come on leaps and bounds in the past few decades, and it’s no longer considered the drink of stuffy old men. And, thankfully, just in the same way as drinking Bourbon, it’s now well accepted to drink it in any way you choose. So if you like it on the rocks, with water, or even with a mixer, then hey – you go for it. After all, it’s your drink.
The main thing is to enjoy it, whichever way you choose.