5 Cognac-Finished Spirits To Sip

Get ready for National Cognac Day and expand your collection with a look at spirits aged in cognac barrels. 

Utilizing unique casks to impart a finish is not a new trend in the spirit industry as a whole, but as premiumization grows, more spirits brands than ever are experimenting with different cask styles. Cognac finished spirits are a growing, and delightful trend as the cognac barrels add unique flavors and sweetness to any spirit.

Cognac barrels are interesting for many reasons, but one is that they can only be made from two specific types of wood — both oaks harvested from either the Limousin or Tronçais forests. Limosin adds woody, warm, vanilla notes while Tronçais adds spice and coconut. There a wide range of spirits aged in ex-cognac casks, bourbon and whiskey are most common but now there are gins, vodka, and even tequilas aged in these unique casks.

Russell Henry Dark Gin

Each expression in the Russell Henry Gin line are distilled in a small Holstein potstill and an antique cognac still using a range of rare botanicals. For the line’s Dark Gin the spirit is aged for a year in new bourbon and new cognac barrels. The result is a gin with an intense, soft and long finish with a rich bouquet and deep complexity.

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El Tesoro Paradiso

This rich gold tequila is aged for five years in French ex-cognac barrels in collaboration with A de. Fussigny Cognac. The resulting spirit has an earthy flavor with hints of mineralogy, tropical fruits, butterscotch, and herbs. The expression has won a number of awards including a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

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Lambay Whiskey Small Batch Blend

Made from a balanced blend of single malt and grain whiskey, Lambay Small Batch is crafted by a French cognac master. The triple distilled spirit is matured in bourbon cask before finishing in casks from the Cognac House Camus. Aromas of citrus, florals and spice great you while tasting notes of cracked almond, paper, malt and light florals is rounded out by a spicy, lingering finish.

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Glenlivet Captains’s Reserve

This single malt scotch whiskey gets its rich gold hue from aging in ex-American Sherry followed by Ex-cognac casks. The finish brings out raisin-rich and citrus notes that pair well with creamy smoothness. You’ll notice flavors of chocolate dipped raisins, ripe poached pair, and mandarins in syrup.

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Guillotine Heritage Vodka

Made using a 100-year-old distillery using a blend of modern and ancient methods, Guillotine  Heritage Vodka is a completely unique expression within the category. Once the vodka is distilled it is aged in Limousin oak ex-cognac and ex-armagnac barrels. The result is notes of toffee, cinnamon and hints of licorice and mandarin orange.