cognac
After-dinner spirit
Cognac is brandy distilled from wine in the Cognac region of France.
The name is protected—only brandy from this area can legally be called cognac.
It's aged in oak barrels and graded by age: VS, VSOP, XO.
Cognac has become associated with luxury and celebration: He poured two glasses of cognac after dinner.
The word sometimes appears generically for any fine brandy, though purists object.
Short-stemmed brandy goblet
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
- nosingInvestigating with curiosity
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- neatOrderly, or undiluted
warmth · velvety · oakiness · vanilla · dried fruit · floral · spice · finish
Post-meal settling drink
- sippingDrinking in small mouthfuls
- firesideArea beside the hearth
- neatOrderly, or undiluted
- cocktailMixed alcoholic beverage
Sidecar · Sazerac · mixology · Hennessy · Courvoisier · Martell · eau-de-vie · spirit
Hardened ancient tree secretion
Western European republic
- appellationName or title given
- AOCOrigin designation abbreviation
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- viticultureGrape-growing science
Hardwood containers for spirits
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- cellarUnderground storage room
- vintageQuality from past eras
- VSAbbreviated opposition marker
VSOP · XO · Napoléon · tannins · oxidation · angel's share · blending · charred
Reputation commanding admiration
- opulenceShowy, abundant prosperity
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- premiumAdded cost for better
- high-endPremium quality tier
refined · sophisticated · decadence · status · connoisseur · collector · rare · limited edition
snifter
Short-stemmed brandy goblet
neat · warmth · velvety · oakiness · vanilla · dried fruit · floral · spice · finish · bouquet
digestif
Post-meal settling drink
cocktail · Sidecar · Sazerac · mixology · Hennessy · Courvoisier · Martell · eau-de-vie · spirit · proof
amber
Hardened ancient tree secretion
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- mahoganyReddish-brown tropical lumber
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
caramel · tawny · burnished · rich · deep · translucent · glowing
France
Western European republic
- appellationName or title given
- AOCOrigin designation abbreviation
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
oak barrels
Hardwood containers for spirits
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- cellarUnderground storage room
- vintageQuality from past eras
VS · VSOP · XO · Napoléon · tannins · oxidation · angel's share · blending · charred · mellow
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
high-end · refined · sophisticated · decadence · status · connoisseur · collector · rare · limited edition · crystal decanter
- beverageswater, coffee, tea, juice, milk
- duty-freeduty-free shops, liquor, cigarettes, cosmetics, fragrances
- EponymsDarwinian, Alzheimer's disease, Freudian slip, cardigan, Parkinson's disease
- liquor storesvodka, whiskey, whisky, rum, gin
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
- spiritsghost, vodka, rum, whiskey, brandy
cognacrotgut
Poor-quality spirits
moonshine · bathtub gin · hooch · malt liquor · prison wine