Message #1648515

[BrandonK]

Brandy is a distilled wine that is typically aged, but does not have to be.
Cognac is brandy that is distilled twice in copper pots, then cask aged for at least two years and made with grapes specifically and only from the Cognac region.
Cognac is to Brandy as Champagne is to Sparkling Wine.

You can actually get some pretty solid brandies from Spain or Mexico at MUCH better prices than the Cognacs.  Look for a bottle of Fundador or some similar brand - they're typically right next to the Cognacs and are priced around $20 for a 750 bottle.

For Cognac, they grade like this:
VS (Very Special) - 2 years aging
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) -  4 years aging
XO (Extra Old) - 6 years aging

Spanish brandy tends to get moved to new casks each year it ages and is often placed in barrels used to make Sherry, which gives it a slight fruit note. I actually prefer it to Cognac.

Lastly, Armagnac is just another region in France that produces a specific standard of brandy. France is really big on locking down on a product to create a highly protected brand.

Thanks!