Glass selection

The perfect tool for tasting is a cup in the shape of a tulip, the so-called tulip glass, from which the flavors are gradually and delicately released during the tasting. In our region, the so-called napoleon or baloon glass was used, which does not allow you to enjoy cognac as much as possible from a tulip.

Cognac tasting

Cognac tasting evaluates:

                     • Appearance

                     • Smell

                     • Taste

Appearance

The color eau-de-vie comes from the stay in oak barrels. In general, two types of eau-de-vie are distinguished: a "clear" distillate that did not spend time in wood, and mature eau-de-vie like cognac, which gradually took on color and tannins from barrels. You should notice this color when tasting cognac. You should notice the transparency of the cognac and its shine / luster. Check for any turbidity, small dirt in the fluid, and any color play that may indicate the presence of unwanted traces of oil.

Cognac tears

Finally, check the viscosity of the cognac by watching the "tears" or "legs" that get caught on the walls of the cup. Carefully tilt the cup so that the cognac almost touches its edge and place it upright again. From the highest point where the cognac in the glass got when tilted, tiny droplets drop downwards. These are the tears / legs of cognac. The older the cognac, the slower its droplets run down the wall of the glass.

The smell

3 breaths are needed to perform the olfactory analysis: The first time the cognac is at rest, the second time after a gentle round in the glass, and the third time when the cognac is well mixed. This procedure will make it possible to detect various aromas - from the most volatile to the most heavy ones. As soon as you get closer to your nose with your glasses, you will first be struck by the most volatile scents, but then the basic bouquet of cognac will appear. Floral and fruity scents in the second breath in, as well as dry lime flowers, vine flowers, dry vine shoots, grape juice, violets, vanilla. Wait several minutes for the third one. Let your cognac to reveal full variety of aromas, give it enough time to show its beauty.

Rancio

Eau-de-vie made from wine and aged in oak barrels generally contains the following aromas: floral, fruity, spicy, woody, empyreumatic, the balanced mixture of which is characteristic of cognac aged for more than 15 years. In this way, it is possible to observe the presence of different aromas, the complexity of the taste and its independence from the alcohol content. Alcohol should not suppress aromas. It is only a carrier, a medium and a way to highlight them. In general, if the first breath is dominated by alcohol sensation, it is young cognac. In older cognac, on the other hand, alcohol can hardly be smelled at all and is dominated by ripe aromas of dried fruit, leather, vanilla, oak bark, walnut and butter. Manufacturers refer to this mixture of flavors as rancio.

Olfactory memory

At this stage of the tasting, many novice consumers do not admit that it is difficult for them to recognize the clear tones of oak, vanilla, leather or other scents in the complex aroma of cognac. We do not have a developed olfactory memory of these aromas in our region. Simply, the aromatic sensation or the information you get through your nose you can't pair with the relevant information in your olfactory memory. If you do not train it, then you cannot clearly distinguish the individual aromas.

Taste

First of all, you have to distinguish four different tastes: sweet, salty, sour and bitter. You will find out by analyzing the eau-de-vie in the mouth during the tasting, as well as its conclusion as a taste that remains recognizably. The first part of the description should be about the presence of alcohol. You should judge it in terms of the strength and quality of its dissolution. The important thing is whether the impression of alcohol is only brief at first or persists even after the longer time the cognac spends in the glass. Subsequently, you should estimate the structure and tannin composition of cognac, ie recognize whether the cognac is young or older. The overall nature of eau-de-vie is then estimated. After the first impression of alcohol, the palate comes into contact with the subtle aromas of cognac, its roundness, sweetness, smoothness, softness, lightness, length, fire, rancio - Spanish word for eaux-de-vie, which contain hazelnut characters with light buttery and roasted tones, which appear after long maturation. Rancio simply means wonderful harmony of all sensations.

Cognac warming (?!)

Although it is not absolutely necessary to warm the cup with cognac in the palm of your hand, this contact is a real joy and pleasure. It's a kind of "conversation" that you'll enjoy more if you have a few drops of cognac left in your glass. But above all, I must warn you - never warm your glass over a flame or a glass of hot water. Especially in the case of old cognacs from Grande Champagne, it is important to taste them at room temperature, so do not forget to place the cognac in the room where it will be tasted well in advance. But again, be patient, wait for the natural temperature to pass between the cognac and the room.

The end of the tasting

Remember to carefully monitor the length of time the cognac stays with you and develops in your mouth during the tasting. The length of the cognac end is one of the hallmarks for identifying young and old cognacs. 

 

The bottom of the cup

It is one of the most interesting ways that reveals the soul of cognac. Place a piece of paper on the glass you were tasting if the last drop of cognac remained. A few hours later or better the next morning, remove the paper and take a deep breath. The imprisoned aromas are now fleeing to the delight of all who have established this way and tradition. Usually, the heaviest aromas are preserved, the finest, precise and old, aerated and free of alcohol, which they were able to develop and subsequently detect. Unlike wine, cognac does not develop in the bottle and does not improve its properties. The cognac bottle should always be stored upright, never horizontally. Cork is a good bottle cap, but its taste can kill the basic character of your cognac.