Brandy

Brandy, a broad category of spirits distilled from fermented fruit juice—typically grapes—is the foundation from which Cognac emerges as a refined subset. Cognac is a specific type of brandy, produced exclusively in the Cognac region of southwestern France under strict regulations governed by the BNIC, using designated grape varieties like Ugni Blanc and double distillation in copper pot stills. While all Cognac is brandy, not all brandy is Cognac; other brandies, like Armagnac or Spanish brandy, differ in origin, production methods, and flavor profiles. Cognac’s prestige stems from its terroir-driven crus, meticulous aging in oak barrels, and a legacy that elevates it above many global brandies in complexity and reputation.