Best Cognac

Just sampled Pierre Fernand reserve. This stuff, for $60 / bottle (or less) is insanely good. It falls between a VSOP and legitimate XO but IMO closer to the latter.

I agree with Inna re. Armenian Cognac (ok, brandy) however it seems like on the east coast all we have is the low grade stuff. I brought a couple of bottles of Urartu from my trip to LA and haven't been the same since I ran out.

Enjoying a bottle of Paul Beau Hors D'Age Grande Champagne a roughly 30 year old singe estate cognac i picked up online for about $130 serious stuff for the $$. I also love Armagnac and can't recommend enough the brandy's from Chatea de Busca, their Hors D'Age 15 year for $90ish is a real steal. And to the poster who called Normandin-Mercier sweet I must disagree. Compared to Delamain most Cognac may come across a touch less dry but Normandin-Mercier is unadulterated and fantastic stuff.

Taste is a very personal thing , I just do not like overly sweet drinks, N.M. Ferrand and that Armenian brandy are certainly in the category of sweet drinks. You interested in extremely complex Cognac ? Give Audry Memorial a try, you will not be able to drink anything sugary ever again.

Delamain http://www.delamain-cognac.fr/

Best I've had .... The company does not produce any VS or VSOP grade cognac, instead its entry level offer is already a 25-year-old XO (Pale & Dry).

Products Range

Pale & Dry X.O. Aged 25 years
Vesper Aged 35 years
Extra. Older than Vesper
Tres Vénérable. Aged 55 years
Reserve de la Famille. 43% vol. This is produced from a single barrel and from a single estate. This is Delamain's highest range product.

Limited editions

Millésimes (Vintage) Cognacs. This is a cognac from a single year. Aged 30 years.
Le voyage de Delamain. Limited to 500 unit worldwide.