Courvoisier VSOP 70cl

Rich, layered, and ridiculously easy to get along with, this French VSOP cognac is the kind of bottle that makes classic cocktails taste instantly more “put together.” Think ripe orchard fruit and vanilla warmth, backed by toasted nuts and a tidy spice kick that keeps things interesting.

• Nose: Baked apple, dried apricot, orange peel, vanilla, toasted almond
• Taste: Caramelized fruit, honeyed oak, cocoa dust, cinnamon, a soft, rounded mouthfeel
• Finish: Lingering vanilla, gentle spice, light toasted wood, a little candied citrus

Why it deserves shelf space, it’s a VSOP, meaning it’s built for balance. You get enough time-in-wood character to bring depth, but the fruit stays front and centre, so it never turns into a chewy oak lecture. That makes it a go-to for both slow sippers and cocktail people.

In drinks, it’s a proper workhorse. The fruit and vanilla make a Sidecar pop, and the nutty, caramel notes give a Cognac Old Fashioned real backbone. Even a simple highball with soda feels like an upgrade because the flavours don’t disappear.

If you’re used to brandy that tastes like vague sweetness, this is where things get more specific. It leans into orchard fruit, citrus peel, and toasted nuts, then finishes with that cozy spice you want when the night’s getting good.

It also plays well with food vibes, think orange-forward desserts, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or anything with warm baking spice. Basically, it’s the bottle you reach for when you want “grown-up” flavour without having to overthink it.

Fun Fact: Courvoisier became known as “the Cognac of Napoleon” after the Emperor’s troops were said to have taken barrels of it with them during exile.