the best cognac?

Personally, I think Richard Hennessy is the best bang for the buck in luxury cognac (retails for $1400-1700/bottle). I think Loius XIII is nearly as smooth but has more fire (more alcohol taste) but it's a bargain at $1000-1200 a bottle.

For the more practical buyer, I like Courvoisier XO or Hennessy XO. Both retail for $100-120 depending on where you go. Both are relatively smooth with a good balance of flavor and alcohol. I think Courvoisier is slightly sweeter, but that may be my palate.

There are some great vintage cognacs and I had a taste of Hennessy Ellipse that were all epic but not worth the money, even if I can afford it.

Best Cognacs

I love Navan; Cognac with a hint of vanilla. From the Grand Marnier house.

I worked in Las Vegas at The Wynn and we had a 100 yr old cognac called Hine Talent which went for over $1,000 a shot. Never got to try it but the rich people I served it to seemed to enjoy it.

Cognac grades include:

* VS (Very Special) or *** (three stars), where the youngest brandy is stored at least two years in cask.

* VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale), Réserve, where the youngest brandy is stored at least four years in cask.

* XO (Extra Old), Napoléon, Hors d'Age, where the youngest brandy is stored at least six years in cask.

Each cognac house also produces its own premium-level cognac. These include:

* Louis XIII by Rémy Martin is composed of more than 1,200 of the finest eaux-de-vie aged between 40 years and a century in very old Limousin oak barrels.

* Richard Hennessy - produced by Hennessy, 'Richard' is a blend of over 100 eaux-de-vie aged up to 200 years. It is sold in a Baccarrat crystal blackman and is named after the founder of the company.

* L'Esprit de Courvoisier - Courvoisier's leading cognac, presented in a hand-cut Lalique decanter, blended from eaux-de-vie up to 200 years old, and individually numbered.

* Moyet Antiques - Moyet's Très Vieille Fine Champagne and Très Vieille Grand Champagne cognacs blended from some barrels over 150 years old, individually numbered and signed by the cellar master.

i read your answer to another question...you are a bartender? then you should know that every persons taste is different. what i think is the best cognac is probably not even worth buying for others or even far too expensive. if you specify your question you might have more luck, but if you want my simple opinion: Hine Antique

Vodka. (even though I've never had some before, but cognac sounds like the name of some medicine.)

The best cognac is any cognac..

Remy Martin Louis XIII

Courvoisier or Hennesy. Try it with Grand Mariner heated in a brandy snifter. Called a heated "Beautiful". Mmmm