The choice of an expensive cognac is a responsible business, which must be approached with full responsibility. You need to know many subtleties and rules to distinguish real cognac from counterfeit.
What to look for
First of all, a really good, high-quality and expensive cognac can be bought in large supermarkets or expensive alcoholic boutiques with a corresponding reputation. It is too expensive for small shops without the appropriate specialization to buy an expensive aged cognac, so most often they sell counterfeit.
Stop your choice on a well-promoted brand, especially if you are not very experienced in the use of cognac. Buying a well-known brand of drink will save you from disappointment and unpleasant experiences.
Pay attention to the type of bottle and packaging. Bright design does not always guarantee quality, but damage, scratches on the bottle, lid defects, noticeable traces of glue will definitely indicate a fake or, at least, improper transportation or storage of cognac containers. Incorrect transportation is unlikely to affect the taste of cognac, but such a bottle can no longer be presented as a gift. In addition, such marks often indicate a fake.
The information on the label helps you choose the right cognac. Firstly, it should indicate that this particular noble drink is in front of you. Secondly, it must contain information, at least, about the country of production. But it is better if a specific place of production is indicated on it (province or production zone and other similar details). Thirdly, the age of the cognac must be indicated on the label. In fact, it is age that determines the final price. The older the cognac, the more expensive it is.
Marking and other tricks
Domestic star marking is simple and straightforward. How many stars are on the label, so many years of the drink. The French system is a little more difficult to understand. V. S. corresponds to three stars, V. O. And V. S. O. P. - four, V. V. S. O. P. - five, and X. O. is an extraordinary cognac that has been aged in a barrel for over six years. The prices for the latter are usually extremely high.
You can check the quality of the drink in simple ways directly in the store. You can simply turn the bottle upside down. A young or low-quality drink will simply and quickly flow down the walls. Aged cognac will leave a mark on the walls of the bottle, as if you turned over a jar of rather runny honey or jam.
Good cognac should not contain sediment, suspensions or impurities. If you see shades of different colors in one bottle, this is a fake. The color of the drink should be rich, but transparent. If the liquid in the bottle is cloudy, this is a very low quality fake.
