Next up in our Bartenders' Brand Awards highlights we bring you the results of the cognac session.
The BBAs is so often a bellwether of a category on the move. This year, cognacs entered in their droves, with many of the big names picking up on renewed bartender interest.
Ferrand Cognac Sélection des Anges by Cognac Ferrand took the top honours, with a score of 77/100, led by a gold medal in taste.
Judges picked up on the cognac’s complexity, noting a “full body, earthy tones, with spice and toffee”. They loved the detailing on the bottle too – giving it a high-ranking silver medal – and thought the price offered good bang for buck.
H by Hine was developed with bartenders in mind, so it was no surprise to see it impressing judges here. It took silver on taste (“spicy notes, off dry, dried fruit, nice mouth feel”) but gold for its modern looks and “very good value versus competitors”.
In third came Rémy Martin Tercet which, with 42/50, took the best taste score in the session. Judges said it had “bold, big, deep flavours with warm spices and a dry finish” but didn’t feel it’s packing equalled the quality of the liquid – it took bronze medals on design and value for money.
Two more flagship spirits made up our top five – Martell XO (“very complex, fl oral and fruity”) and Hennessy XO (“outstanding with beautiful rancio aromas”).
For more on the how the BBAs works, visit here.