Best Cognac

Cognac de Collection Jean Grosperrin: true vintage (to the highest possible degree of certainty), no blending, no reduction, no caramel addition, and absolutely MAJESTIC (en majuscules, je vous prie)! My last bottle: 1962 Petite Champagne (bottled 2001); think I'll sell some audio cables and try to find me another one ;^)
http://www.lagabare.com/en/index.htm

Of the more readily available cognacs: Léopold Gourmel "Age des Épices" (that, personally, I like even better than their "Quintessence"), exclusively Fins Bois cognacs and proof that these vineyards can turn out a fantastic product from the hands of a great distiller.

OK Edouard, what kind of audio gear do you have :-)?

There is no accounting for taste, of course, but, for myself, once I tasted tres vieux Calvados, there simply was no reason to ever pursue cognac again. I loathe hyperbole but the finer Calvados products are simply in another league, and I am comparing products from both camps in very similar price ranges ( like $150. to $300. per bottle ). Wrap your lips ( and, especially, nose ) around a 25-30 year old Adrien Camut or a Coeur de Lion, to name a couple, and see if you can ever go back.

Mes Chers Amis Americains! (My dear American friends),

Why go to France when you can enjoy fine Californian fare.
Technically not Cognac, Bonny Doon vineyards offers a great "Brandy" Marc de Cigare. It holds its own against many of the Cognacs listed above.

Unfortunately I checked the Bonny Doon web-site and they do not seem to be offering it anymore. But Acresverde will be happy to know that they do offer a Calvadoon!.

Fine music, fine wine (or spirits) c'estla belle vie!

Come on guys, why on earth should we want to compare apples and oranges (or rather apples and grapes) and restrict ourselves to one of those? We listen to different kinds of music also, don't we. In the words of D.P. Gumby, my brain would hurt, seriously, if I were ever forced to choose between vintage Grosperrin cognac, vintage Francis Darroze armagnac, Adrien Camut "Rareté" calvados or 1964 Black Bowmore whisky for the rest of my life. But there are other products that belong in the chamber of treasures as well: Randall Grahm's "Marc de Cigare" is surely one of those as well as Reinhard Löwenstein's rare occasional Tresterbrand of Eiswein or TBA, Romano Levi's grappa, Giovi's ciliegie dell'Etna or Pierre Morey's "simple" Fine de Bourgogne. Nothing more boring than always having to drink the same wine.

Nick_sr, good to meet another Doon aficionado on Audiogon, Randall sure is one of the most fascinating people in the trade, yeah, DEWN forever!