Here we take a look at our panel's favourite cognacs.
Our cognac tasting took in many of the major players and it was one of them - Pernod’s Martell VSOP – that conquered.
With a silver medal in taste – “viscosity” and a “fruity, round palate” noted – the Martell classic impressed even more on the value for money and design rounds, with two high-ranking silver medals taking the overall score to 74/100.
In second was Ferrand Cognac Séléction Des Anges, which was actually the best-tasting product according to our panel – and by some way. Judges spoke of a “brightness with tropical fruit, “spices”, “integrated, elegant flavours” and “excellent balance”.
It was the good but slightly less impressive scores on design and value for money which dragged it down to second. Martell VS scored respectably in the tasting with bronze, but the judges really liked the design, awarding it a high silver, and loved the price to the tune of a bronze.
Ferrand Cognac 10 Generations was another that excelled in the design component, with judges remarking at its clever label while scoring it a bronze on taste and a silver on bang for buck.
Martell XO was the second most enjoyed cognac in the blind tasting, though its price and barely bronze medal for value for money pulled it down into fifth.