Chalfonte VSOP

[tighe]

This weekend I finished off a bottle of Chalfonte VSOP Cognac (no, I didn't drink the entire thing this weekend ). Here in Washington, where liquor is taxed mercilessly, it is still only about $20 for a 750 mil bottle. This is definitively the best cognac I've ever had at anything close to that price (in my very humble opinion). It is so much smoother and complex than comparably priced Hennessy or Courvoisier. I think one reason I really loved it is that the flavor is almost closer to Armagnac, with distinct vanilla notes to it.

Are there other relatively inexpensive brands of Cognac or Armagnac I should be sampling?

Edited June 10, 2003 by tighe (log)

[jhlurie]

Pierre Ferrand Ambre, which can be had for only about $10 or $12 more than that, is quite impressive.

[DrinkBoy]

I too have been using the Chalfonte as a good general purpose cognac. I arrived at this after experimenting with several of the other brandy/cognac's of that general price range, and the Chalfonte is most definately the best of the bunch (of what we get in Washington). For my premium brand, I've lately been drinking Kelt.

[tighe]

Pierre Ferrand Ambre, which can be had for only about $10 or $12 more than that, is quite impressive.

Unfortunately it appears that the Pierre Ferrand isn't available in Washington, but I'll keep an eye out.

I too have been using the Chalfonte as a good general purpose cognac. I arrived at this after experimenting with several of the other brandy/cognac's of that general price range, and the Chalfonte is most definately the best of the bunch (of what we get in Washington). For my premium brand, I've lately been drinking Kelt.

Its gratifying to know that someone else shares my opinion on this. For me, Chalfonte is both my budget and premium brand.

[Schielke]

I too have been using the Chalfonte as a good general purpose cognac. I arrived at this after experimenting with several of the other brandy/cognac's of that general price range, and the Chalfonte is most definately the best of the bunch (of what we get in Washington). For my premium brand, I've lately been drinking Kelt.

Kelt = Good

The VSOP is really nice at $50/bottle

Ben

[jhlurie]

Unfortunately it appears that the Pierre Ferrand isn't available in Washington, but I'll keep an eye out.

Geez. Sorry. It's that whole thing about living in a state where the government doesn't have police powers over which brands are sold.

The web reveals the minutes of the WA state liquor board meeting rejecting Pierre Ferrand.

Are people actually paid to do this?

[tighe]

Unfortunately it appears that the Pierre Ferrand isn't available in Washington, but I'll keep an eye out.

Geez. Sorry. It's that whole thing about living in a state where the government doesn't have police powers over which brands are sold.

The web reveals the minutes of the WA state liquor board meeting rejecting Pierre Ferrand.

Are people actually paid to do this?

We've had a couple discussions over on the PNW board about the Brownshirts who run the Washington State Liquor Control Board. It's absolutely rediculous. There has been some talk of privatizing the whole shebang, which would be very postitive step.

I have to say that, as consumers, we may be better off not having been subjected to the pineapple grappa that was also on the rejected list.

Edited June 10, 2003 by tighe (log)