The abundance of assortment of cognac in stores makes it difficult to choose. A high price is not always an indicator of the quality of an alcoholic beverage, and beautiful packaging and brand awareness often contribute to an inadequate increase in cost.
Instructions
Step 1
Buy cognac in specialized stores.
The easiest way is to choose cognac on the shelves of a large supermarket with a good reputation or in special boutiques selling alcoholic beverages - there is less risk of buying counterfeit products.
Step 2
Buy products from well-known manufacturers.
Focus on a product that is advertised frequently. Choosing a popular brand provides a small guarantee for the purchase of a quality product.
Step 3
Pay attention to the bottle.
The highest quality drinks are usually produced in classic cognac bottles with the simplest packaging. The presence of the corporate identity and figured design of the bottle is not an indicator of the high quality of the cognac. The presence of scratches, damage to the cover, traces of glue is unacceptable.
Step 4
Read the label carefully.
There are a number of details to look out for when choosing a cognac:
- availability of data on the age of cognac;
- the label must say that it is cognac;
- the country of manufacture must be indicated;
- it is good if there is a note about the place of cognac production (province, name of the production zone).
The age of the cognac determines the price of the drink, the aging and the types of cognac differ among themselves. The "older" the cognac, the higher its price.
Step 5
Turn the bottle over.
You can determine the quality of cognac by turning the bottle upside down. Un aged cognac will immediately flow down the walls, and if the quality of the drink is high, then you will notice one drop, which will fall heavily from the bottom.
Step 6
Check the clarity of the cognac.
The bottle should be free of any impurities, suspensions and sediment. Shades of different colors indicate counterfeit products. The color of the cognac should be rich, but transparent.
Step 7
Demand certificates of conformity.
If you have any doubts about the quality of the drink, ask for certificates of conformity, carefully compare the information with the inscriptions on the label.
