469593 Fri Dec 14 18:27:05 -0800 2007 4 36 Spirits 0 3209482 I know that doesn't leave much, but that is my sad/sorry price range. Any advice would be great. Fri Dec 14 18:27:05 -0800 2007 27447 favolaus 1 3209613 I am far from a Cognac expert, but I really enjoyed the Fillioux Balzac (VSOP), which I was able to get for around $30. Fri Dec 14 19:59:28 -0800 2007 3209482 10132 sku 1 3210071 Again, there is no "best" -- it's up to each individual's palate. Ms. X may prefer ______, while Mr. Y may prefer ____________ over the other one. That said, 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. Their Alambic starts in the mid-$30s. Sat Dec 15 06:53:18 -0800 2007 3209482 28122 zin1953 1 3229018 I second the motion on Germain Robin - this is alembic brandy not cognac (it is made in California so can't be cognac) but it is excellent. They have a range of products and prices - you can blind taste against France 4X price and blow their doors off. Kithenn Fri Dec 21 12:40:32 -0800 2007 3209482 151639 kithenn 1 3230185 You should be able to grab a bottle of Pierre Ferrand Ambre for that price range as well. Sat Dec 22 00:01:50 -0800 2007 3209482 138259 gabby29