The 13 Best Cognacs To Drink In 2022

“Cognac is the spirit you should be reaching for and drinking now,” says certified cognac educator Ms. Franky Marshall. That’s, in part, because of its diversity. Made from grapes—primarily high-acid, low-alcohol ugni blanc variety—that are fermented, twice-distilled, and then matured in oak barrels before blending and bottling, this brandy from France’s Cognac region is not just for sipping after dinner by the fire. In fact, it’s one of the widest-ranging spirits categories out there.

Much of the difference between bottles has to do with how long they are aged. Younger VS, or “very special,” cognac is blended from brandies at least two years old, while an XO cognac, or "extra-old" cognac, gets its rich depth because it must be aged at least six years. The VSOP, or “very superior old pale” cognacs, blended from four-year and older brandies, are right in the middle, with characteristics of both youth and age.

But even in a single cognac, you’ll find a spectrum of flavors that come from the many steps in producing it. “There are fruit and flowers, great esters, oak notes, and developed flavors that are rich, round, and earthy, all in the bottle for you,” says Kellie Thorn, a certified cognac educator and the cocktail director for chef Hugh Acheson’s restaurants. “So they’re so fun to mix with.”

“Think of the versatility,” says Marshall. “Don’t limit cognac to one time of year. Realize it works in so many different ways. That’s why we taste through different ages and expressions. Maybe use a VS for longer drinks like Highballs, and VSOP in a Sidecar. Think about cognac with food [pungent cheeses, dark chocolate, berries, oysters, and other seafood]." Try storing it in your freezer, where “it gets more viscosity, and the perception of the alcohol is lowered,” suggests Marshall—a great technique for summer. Most of all, be assured, she says, “there is a cognac for every palate."

We consulted with our experts and have curated the best cognacs to get right now. Thanks to its balanced flavors and intense aromatics, Frapin's Château Fontpinot XO is our top pick.

Read on for our complete list to find your next favorite cognac.

Our Top Picks Best Overall: Frapin Château Fontpinot XO at Drizly $100 Jump to Review Best VS: Bache-Gabrielsen Tre Kors at Drizly $25 Jump to Review Best VSOP: Bisquit & Dubouché VSOP at ReserveBar $73 Jump to Review Best Innovation: Camus Ile de Ré Fine Island at Drizly $43 Jump to Review Best Double Cask: Pierre Ferrand Double Cask Reserve Cognac at Drizly Jump to Review Best Under $50: Hine H by Hine at Drizly Jump to Review Best for a Sidecar: Bache-Gabrielsen American Oak Aged Cognac at Drizly $36 Jump to Review Best for Sipping: Camus XO Borderies Cognac at Drizly $150 Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Hine Rare VSOP at Wine.com $70 Jump to Review Best Organic: Jean-Luc Pasquet L’Organic 10 at Wine.com $105 Jump to Review