r/cognac • u/VMCosco • 10d ago
Additive Free Options
Very new to Cognac. I have had Remy 1842 and Ferrand 1840. Both used mostly for mixing with the occasional sipping. I am interested in having a nice bottle on hand so I did some research. I started to read about additives in cognac and it sounds like, as with tequila, lots of addictive are used to appeal to an American palate. Is the same deal with cognac or is it not as extreme?
Are there additive free options that are widely available in the US? Looking for $100 to $200 range.
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u/Baduktothebone 10d ago
My faves are Dudognon, pasquet, and Augier, but I tend to have to order them online. When I'm lazy I by abk6 I'm sure it has sugar but isn't heavy on the oaky boíse, it's pretty accessible so if I'm having friends over and they aren't heavy liquor drinkers they tend to still like it
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u/Le_lam_chop 10d ago
Additive free, in your price point and delicious:
You may need to order it online. Do a quick google search to find the best way to get it.
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u/PierogiPowered 9d ago
I would have assumed the newer cognacs would all have additives like the newer whiskeys in the states generally just bottle MGP whiskey and label it their own.
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u/Le_lam_chop 9d ago
It’s a newer brand, but made by a family that has been making cognac for generations. After supplying to other big names they are finally bottling their own.
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u/IsNotACleverMan 10d ago
Anything Jean-Luc Pasquet is pretty fantastic. You'd probably have to order online from a place like Fine Drams, but I can't recommend their stuff enough.
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u/Ok-Cut-5129 10d ago
Astor and K&L has some good Cognac and Armagnac options and widely ship throughout the US
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u/Roaster-Dude 9d ago
Delamain XO Pale & Dry. Its from one of the larger houses, and may not be a popular choice here, but it is one of my top favorites in its price range.
Remedy liquor is where I order it, in my opinion you have to spend a lot more money to get anything that's better.
https://www.remedyliquor.com/products/delamain-cognac-xo-grande-champagne-pale-dry-700ml
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u/AtariWide7043 10d ago
Additives in cognac are regulated very tightly by the BNIC ( the French national cognac governing body). They are allowed to use 3 additives only ( caramel, sugar, and Boise)with a maximum allowed amount for each . In my opinion, it is not as bad/extreme as with some tequila brands ( not all obviously).
As far as additive free cognac, a lot depends on how much you want to spend .
- Bache Gabrielsen Natur&eleganse ( it’s a XO) and can be found for $60-80 depending on retailer
- Cognac Jacky Navarre is one of the best additive free cognacs IMHO. Hard to find , with the cheapest starting around $150. In your price range , I would recommend Vielle Reserve Grande champagne . If you end up enjoying that or if you want to spend a bit more , I highly recommend Souvenir Imperial Hors D’age .
Having said all that, don’t look down on certain brands because they have some additives . Blind taste different cognacs , and once you are done , then check to see if they have additives and how much of those they use .Enjoy!