301184 Wed Dec 07 11:45:01 -0800 2005 10 36 Spirits 0 1678279 I'm looking to buy a bottle of cognac for my boyfriend. I don't want to go the high-volume-high-price route; I'd like to find something more interesting, and preferably ~$50. I am not a cognac drinker myself, so I feel kind of lost....I don't even know if I can get anything good for $50? Does anyone have any recommendations for cognacs made by smaller producers that they'd be willing to share with me? I live in New York City, if anyone knows of any local sources. Thanks much, Rachel Wed Dec 07 11:45:01 -0800 2005 0 Rachel 1 1678282 There's a nice article on the Saveur site at http://www.saveur.com/article.jsp?ID=4138&typeID=100 with tasting notes at http://www.saveur.com/article.jsp?ID=4141&typeID=350 with a couple of recommendations at around $50. There's a distinct jump in quality when you get to the XOs, starting at around $100. You could also to go to Sherry Lehmann, 679 Madison Avenue between 61st & 62nd St., and ask for a recommendation. They have their own label and a have cognac from number of smaller producers. I would trust their advice. Wed Dec 07 12:35:56 -0800 2005 1678279 0 KRS 2 1678283 Grab a bottle of Delamain Pale & Dry XO, rather thatn most Xo which only needs to be six-seven years old this is average age 25yrs. might be 60ish but well worth it. still family owned and run Wed Dec 07 12:52:51 -0800 2005 1678282 0 Sugar the Cat 1 1678285 Consider Germain Robin, which produces an really excellent brandy in your price range. It is not cognac, because, well, it is not produced in Cognac. However, it is very fine and much much better than many Cognacs at the $50 mark. Wed Dec 07 14:47:51 -0800 2005 1678279 0 JudiAU 2 1678298 Completely agree - to the OP: does the BF want a Cognac because he absolutely has to have something called a Cognac that comes from that region in France, or is he seeking grape brandy deliciousness - which can be had for $50 for products from California, Spain, Portugal or other places... just not necessarily from France (although there are also nice brandies from France outside of Cognac). Wed Dec 07 23:37:46 -0800 2005 1678285 0 applehome 3 1678299 thanks to everyone for the recs! i am leaning towards a bottle of Germain Robin Reserve... The boyfriend doesn't want a cognac so much as every time he drinks it elsewhere he is happy, but we just haven't had it in the apt for whatever reason...so I thought it would be a nice treat for him. So...I'm thinking grape brandy deliciousness is more important. We happily drink tons of delicious sparkling wine and very little Champagne, for example. :) Thu Dec 08 00:18:06 -0800 2005 1678298 0 Rachel 1 1678356 Not to muddy the waters, but I haven't replied until now since you specifically said Cognac. Many people, myself included, feel the world's finest grape brandy comes from Armagnac. A fellow named Darroze buys up small batches from growers and puts his name on them (leaving the original source name as well, at least for the pricier bottles) and they can be outstanding. That's one source. Also good are Tariquet and Samalens, and others. The best are vintage and start around $100, but for around $50 you can get a decent NV example to get you a feel for Armagnac. Park Avenue Liquor and Chambers Street Wines carry some of these. Fri Dec 09 13:09:01 -0800 2005 1678279 0 Chris Weber 1 3194158 IMO, Kelt, for around $50, beats out most $100 Cognacs. Very good stuff. Sun Dec 09 23:11:28 -0800 2007 1678279 55316 mpalmer6c 1 3194499 A couple of ideas -- actually three -- that are WITHIN your price range that NO ONE has mentioned . . . . Maison Surrenne -- http://www.surrenne.com/ -- is a small producer, still family-owned, that makes outstanding Cognacs. The Maison Surrenne Ancienne Distillerie Petite Champagne Cognac carries a retail price of $32-35, and is MUCH better than anything from the major houses at that level. Another delicious option is Cognac Tesseron -- http://www.cognactesseron.com/uk/index.html -- which starts out in the mid-$40s, and is also quite delicious. Also truly superb are the Cognacs from Logis de la Mothe -- http://logisdelamothe.com/ -- which is another small producer that has been around for generations, and well worth looking for. * * * * * One suggestion that has already been mentioned is Germain-Robin -- http://www.germain-robin.com/ -- a California Alambic brandy produced "in the style of" a fine Cognac. (Hubert Robin's family produced Cognac for generations, prior to finally selling their firm to Martell.) Truly excellent brandy. Mon Dec 10 06:34:29 -0800 2007 1678279 28122 zin1953 1 3198193 I like Bache, very nice and affordable www.bache-gabrielsen.com/usa Tue Dec 11 08:55:37 -0800 2007 1678279 149044 902u21 1 3199764 I've always really enjoyed the Pierre Ferrand cognacs. The reserve 20 YO is in your price range and has always treated me right. Tue Dec 11 16:19:15 -0800 2007 1678279 144520 The Man in Black