discover cognac
neat or on ice?
During the aperitif, the cognac is usually consumed neat, but adding a drop of water reveals more fruity, floral and spicy aromas and makes the tasting experience smoother.
Choosing the right glass:
how it affects the tasting experience
To enjoy cognac neat, a ‘taster’s glass’ is suggested, as its long and narrow shape helps capture the richness of the cognac and less the alcohol. When adding a drop of water, the taster’s glass is also recommended.
Cognac on ice is served in a large tumbler glass, with room for two ice cubes. This allows it to be held in the hand, aiding the melting process of the ice cubes and making it easier to smell and drink.
The cognac snifter glass is suggested for a traditional tasting moment, after dinner as a digestive, where it is served neat and you hold the glass to warm the cognac by hand. During dinner, drinking cognac neat is recommended.
“Cognac on ice is served in a large tumbler glass, with room for two ice cubes”
neat or on ice
A GUIDE TO TASTING
Tips for the very best Rémy Martin cognac experience, using all your senses.
“The signature style of RÉMY MARTIN COGNAC FINE CHAMPAGNE is: HARMONY – AROMATIC RICHNESS – SMOOTH & LONG FINISH”
TO START
1. Select a clean glass
2. Add a little cognac to a tumbler or rock glass and swirl it around to completely coat the inside
3. Pour yourself 3cl (1 oz) of cognac and prepare your senses
TASTING NEAT
ON THE NOSE
These three steps allow you to discover the complex aroma facets of cognac – like a perfume. From top to base, you will enjoy a myriad of aromatic notes such as fruits, flowers and spices. Hold the glass under the nose at heart height: you can already begin to detect the first aromas. Fruity, floral notes perhaps, or slight traces of spice and oaky woods? Bring the glass up to chin level, where you will explore another wave of aromas. Gradually, bring your glass to the nose and experience the fragrances up close.
ON THE PALATE
Take a sip. Focus on the experience. Let the liquid slowly move around the mouth and see if you can detect the subtlety of flavours. The tip of your tongue will detect sweetness, at the sides, saltiness and sourness, then at the back bitterness. After a few seconds, you will appreciate the smooth texture on the palate and enjoy the lingering finish. Do you feel the balance and harmony of flavors?
The signature style of RÉMY MARTIN COGNAC FINE CHAMPAGNE is: HARMONY – AROMATIC RICHNESS – SMOOTH & LONG FINISH
“Cognac on the rocks is a light and smooth discovery of sensation”
TASTING ON THE ROCKS
Add 2-3 cubes of ice to your glass of cognac
ON THE NOSE
Swirl the glass a few times, hold it under your nose at chin level and inhale the aromas. The ice will reveal notes and facets you won’t have discovered in the neat tasting. You may, for example, notice a fresher aspect to the fruit notes, where they would have hand a more candied feel in the neat tasting.
ON THE PALATE
Take a sip of the cool cognac and see how it differs to the neat sensation. Cognac on the rocks is a light and smooth discovery of sensation and flavors, revealing more freshness and an abundance of fruits.
The expression of our COGNAC FINE CHAMPAGNE remains the same: HARMONY – AROMATIC RICHNESS – SMOOTH & LONG FINISH.
