Shop » Spirits Tasting » Cognac Tasting Kit
CAD $60.00
Cognac’s essential difference from most other spirits is that its aromatic components derive directly and exclusively from the grape, and its quality is dictated by the nature of the terroirs where they are grown.
Each Cognac is unique, however at the same time you can cluster them into groups with similar interests and characters called flavour camps. Two major styles of Cognac’s are Dry/Clear and Rich/Grapey, and within these there are flavours and aromas including: fruits (berry, stone, tropical, citrus), floral, nutty, woody (oaky, caramel, vanilla), and spices.Â
This Cognac tasting has been organized with a curated selection of Cognacs that appear in the different Cognac flavour camps. Grouping the Cognacs like this helps you to identify the major types of Cognac you prefer, which helps you to zero in on new Cognacs to try that belong to similar cohorts.Â
If you are looking for the best Cognac tasting experience or looking for a great Cognac gift set, look no further!
The highlights of our Cognac sampler tasting experience include:
Founded in 1765, Hennessy is one of the two dominant forces in the Cognac trade since the French Revolution, and today controls about 40% of the Cognac market.
Back in the day, the future King George IV loved fine Cognac. He personally requested a “Very Special Old Pale” from the House of Hennessy. The first bottles were delivered in 1818 and ever since this VSOP has been one of the most popular and awarded Cognacs available worldwide. Hennessy VSOP Cognac is a blend of sixty carefully chosen Eau de Vie that celebrates the terroir of Cognac and the heritage of Hennessy.
Colour | Warm Mahogany |
Nose | Strawberry jam, clove, and vanilla. |
Palate | Fruitcake, baking spices, and new French oak. |
Finish | Delicate with a light spice burn. |
Flavour Camps | Rich / Grapey,
Fruit Forward (Berry Fruits). |
Age | VSOP (Minimum 4.5 years)Â |
Alcohol Volume | 40% |
Distillery | Jas. Hennessy & Co. |
Geography | Cognac, France |
The House of Rémy Martin was founded nearly three hundred years ago in 1724. In 1927 the first VSOP was created by André Renaud (A cellar master at Rémy Martin).
All the firm’s brandies today still come from Champagnes and are still distilled on their lees (the residual yeast) to provide greater richness.Â
Colour | Rich Mahogany |
Nose | Floral with notes of jasmine, iris, fig, and vanilla, and apple. |
Palate | Light creamy mouthfeel with notes of marzipan, apples, fig, anise, and orange zest. |
Finish | The finish is medium-length and warming. |
Flavour Camps | Rich / Grapey, Floral Forward. |
Age | VSOP (Minimum 4.5 years)Â |
Alcohol Volume | 40% |
Distillery | Rémy Martin |
Geography | Cognac, France |
Founded in 1819 by an enterprising local, Alexandre Bisquit, who was mayor of Jarnac. His daughter married a M. Dubouché, who added his name to the firm.
This VSOP expression is made from the following four crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Fins Bois, and Bons Bois.
Colour | Warm Amber.  |
Nose | Ripe fruits, apricot, honey, and spice aromas (cinnamon, clove) followed by a floral smell of rose. |
Palate | Smooth and mellow, with notes of honeysuckle, citrus, and mango. |
Finish | Long and warming.   |
Flavour Camps | Rich / Grapey,
Fruit Forward (Citrus Fruits). |
Age | VSOP (Minimum 4.5 years)Â |
Alcohol Volume | 40% |
Distillery | Bisquit & Dubouché |
Geography | Cognac, France |
Founded in 1809 by Emmanuel Courvoisier, this company has been making Cognac, and only Cognac for more than 200 years.
Courvoisier VSOP is labelled “The Cognac of Napoleon” because in 1811, Napoleon visited the main Cognac market in Bercy, France, declared that he had made his choice and took two barrels of Courvoisier with him.
This cognac is a blend of several crus including Fins Bois, and Grande and Petite Champagnes.Â
Colour | Peach Gold. |
Nose | Jasmine and ripe peaches. |
Palate | Toasted almonds, stone fruits, and caramel. |
Finish | Lingering and dry with baking spices. |
Flavour Camps | Rich / Grapey, Nutty and Caramel Forward. |
Age | VSOP (Minimum 4.5 years)Â |
Alcohol Volume | 40% |
Distillery | Courvoisier International S.A.R.L. |
Geography | Cognac, France |
Jean Martell founded the Martell house in 1715 and it is the oldest Cognac producer. The Blue Swift is a symbol of The House Martell’s family crest, a bird that can stay airborne for up to 10 months when crossing the Atlantic.Â
Martell Blue Swift is made of cognac VSOP then finished in Kentucky Bourbon casks. This is a Cognac with a Bourbon twist.Â
Colour | Copper with golden highlights. |
Nose | Banana and caramelized pear introduce the subtle sweetness of vanilla, coconut, and spices. |
Palate | Ginger, candied fruit, and plum followed by distinctive hints of toasted oak from the Kentucky bourbon casks. |
Finish | Long and warm. |
Flavour Camp | Dry/Clear,
Fruit Forward (Tropical Fruits). |
Age | VSOP (Minimum 4.5 years)Â |
Alcohol Volume | 40% |
Distillery | Martell & Company |
Geography | Cognac, France |
Perhaps the best part of our sampler box (apart from the Cognac) is that it includes a booklet as a guide to tasting Cognac. Using this guide is a great option for a self guided individual or group Cognac tasting experience.Â
The development of the Glencairn glass involved a collaboration of master blenders from the five largest spirit companies to develop the perfect Cognac tasting glass. This is an excellent tasting glass to compliment your Cognac gift set!
Height | 4 1/2 Inches |
Bottom Diameter | 1 7/8 Inches |
Maximum Diameter | 2 1/2 Inches |
Top Diameter | 1 7/8 Inches |
Capacity | 6 3/4 oz. |
Color | Clear |
Dishwasher Safe | Yes |
Material | Lead Free Crystal |
Dark chocolate and Cognac make a great match. The warming, complex nature of most Cognac complements the luxurious, creamy texture of good chocolate.Â
The underlying sweetness and alcohol bite to Cognac is offset extremely well by the more bitter and lingering flavor of dark chocolate.
Our organic Dark 70% chocolate from GREEN & BLACK’s is made from fine Trinitario cacao beans, providing complex fruit notes and intense bittersweet chocolate aromas.
GREEN & BLACK’S is a chocolate brand founded on sustainable and ethical cocoa sourcing principles.
A great addition to a Cognac birthday gift for those looking to buy Cognac samples online.
While you still have the flavours in your mouth after a sip of Cognac, take a piece of chocolate and let it slowly melt and add to the flavour. Then take another sip of Cognac and round it off.
Truffles are a bold flavour, and a little goes a long way. The taste of black truffles is a mixture of chocolaty, nutty and earthy. Cognac pairs well with potato chips and the flavours of black truffle, so we have a fantastic snack that combines both!
These special premium potato chips feature authentic black summer truffles.
Be captivated by the intense woodsy aroma with flavors of garlic, wild mushroom and earthy hazelnut undertones that convert this snack into a real treat for the senses.
Ingredients: Potatoes, sunflower oil, salt, dehydrated black summer truffle (T. aestivum Vitt.) and truffle aroma.
From occasions like birthday gifts to anniversaries, this is a great gift!
We offer Cognac tasting kit delivery across Ontario.
Delivery rates are calculated at checkout. You can schedule your order to arrive on a specific date also at checkout.Â
For orders placed before 5pm, we offer next day delivery for select cities across Ontario.Â
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