Cognac is a strong alcoholic drink made from alcohol obtained by double distillation of white wine. It is aged in oak barrels for years, which gives the brandy a touch of elitism. Its quality can be determined by several signs, some of which can be checked even with a closed plug.
Instructions
Step 1
The number of stars is the first thing to look out for before buying. It speaks of the years of aging of cognac spirits before the manufacture of the drink itself. The more stars the better.
Step 2
Latin letters indicate adjectives that characterize the drink. E is special, F is great, V is very, O is old, S is excellent, P is pale, X is extra, C is cognac. So, the letters "V. S. O. P. " stand for "very, excellent, old, pale."
Step 3
Pay attention to the label. First, it must be neatly framed. Secondly, the presence on it of information about the manufacturer, date of bottling, strength and aging period is required.
Step 4
The color of the cognac should not be pale or overly bright. The liquid in the bottle should not have sediment (if such is not allowed by the manufacturer, about which he warns the buyer on the label).
Step 5
Turn the bottle upside down. The better the cognac, the slower it will flow down the walls. The best drinks tend to leave the last drop hanging at the bottom.
Step 6
By the process of cognac flowing down the walls, its quality can be checked even when the drink is already in your glass. Good quality cognacs will drain for at least five seconds. Those that have been aged for more than twenty years - from fifteen seconds or more.
Step 7
Try the smell. If instead of the aroma promised by the manufacturer on the label, you first of all feel the clear smell of alcohol, the quality of the drink leaves much to be desired.
