Cognac Review: Hennessy VSOP
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- Опубліковано 15 лют 2018
- Cognac Review
Hennessy VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)
Aged a minimum of four years, but some of the eau de vie are certainly older.
ABV
40%
Closure
Cork
Artificial Color
Yes, E150.
Chill Filtration?
Yes.
Nose
Spirity, but in a good way. Old polished wood scent. Think mahogany. Old leather too. Spicy oranges make an appearance. Fennel perchance? Anise? Me thinks so.
Palate
Rounded, soft, visous texture, delivering spiced molasses, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and sugar cane sweetness.
Finish
Distinctly foreign oak. I taste the terroir of the white wine. The earth and soil lurk in the finish. Drying brown sugar with English fruit cake. Finish is medium long. It is warming. I am satisfied.
General Impressions
Compared to the Hennessy XO (extra old), in terms of value for money, the VSOP wins every time. It has no flaws. It delights. It is worthy of your hard earned cash my friend.
Cheers!
Jason Debly
I review this review at 10/10. Short, eloquent, informative. Thanks!
Thank you sir! Just trying to hit the important points and convey what this spirit tastes like.
Best,
Jason
Meanwhile I’m just drinking Cognac to get drunk, this guy is describing it like it’s profound poetry.
Artisan Rebel right shits beautiful lol
A well crafted spirit is a work of art though
That’s funny as shit🤣🤣
Cognac to get drunk? You must be doing well for yourself to be able to do that...unless it's like only a couple times a year.
I think we all are
I just received a personal bottle for my birthday. Just wanted to watch this for some quick info.
Awesome! I hope it was helpful.
Saw these at Costco for about 50. Thanks for the review I’m looking at getting a bottle soon
Thanks for the info about the additives it really changes my view for the better
Review by it’s best as always.
Thank you and have a nice weekend... cheers from 🇪🇺
Thanks!
Another great review Jason! I agree completely! While I am a Scotch guy, I do like other drinks periodically!
It's nice to have some variety.
Thanks for the review. I love cognacs as well as whiskey. It would be great to see reviews on other world-wide famous French VSOP cognacs from time to time.
I have reviewed a few other cognacs. You will see them if you browse my channel.
Thanks for the review Jason! I do drink Cognac, Hennessey White mostly, a few times a year, but I am a SCOTCH guy 90% of the time!
Always nice to meander away from Scotch to try different spirits, and then meander back!
Just bought a bottle today can’t wait to try it
brandon counterman
Welcome to the world of good cognac!
Nice review, thanks.
Nice to see a cognac review. I enjoy French brandy.
I look forward to maybe a future French brandy review on your channel.
Very interesting and very very cool thank you
OMG i tried this cognac for the first time today and I smelled leather too. It was a bit weird for me! but I like the finish that lasts a really long time in the mouth.
My brother have this big bottle 3L! which he gave me since he doesnt drink (vsop privilege). Ive been drinking whisky since the start of lockdown March 2020 and Im hooked.
I tried a Cognac or two, and I liked them... If I was more into heavy sherry/wine finishes and maturation than I am, I would probably expand more towards Cognac than I do.
foodquig
Yup that makes total sense.
Good review and I agree with your opinions also subscribing because you do reply back to the comments. Keep up the good work!
Thank you and stay safe during this difficult time we face with COVID-19.
Just got me the Hennessy VSOP privilege 375 ML never had cognac before can't wait to try it now after seeing this. It set me back $28.50 as I live in NYC and I got it on a military installation.
Enjoy!!!!
You have the best scotch reviews
Thanks for the great compliment! Appreciate it.
How does one taste starberry spiced oranges darl chocolate light chocolate amd sugarcane in rum
Very informative yet enjoyable review! Could we potentially see more cognac reviews in the near future?
I am always trying to locate new cognacs to review. Some others I have reviewed are as follows:
ua-cam.com/video/Ox294ry1LZk/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/QFx8QsXlIEw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/iTsKgR7mdtE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/MUBGVLg8wXk/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/eCMaGLyxGYI/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/ZAuBNopN5U0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/4HcS53plOM4/v-deo.html
Fantastic review.
תודה רבה
Could you please advise on some cognacs without those extra ingredients?
Good review, Jason. I think more whisky fans should try cognacs - especially fans of Sherry influenced Scotch. There are, IMO, a lot similarities that they would recognize.
Yes, and they should give grappa a go to. Great price for grappa too.
Just wanted to say good job on your content, great for a newbie like me.
That’s great to hear! I appreciate the feedback. Welcome to the channel!
Learned something, thanks
Thank you for talking about Cognac additives! You really have to just appreciate what is in the glass, and put aside the snobbery. That said, I would never buy an expensive bottle of Cognac as I demand 'pure' spirit if I am to spend a considerable sum.
I am in Alberta, so I have access to a decent variety of Cognacs and Armagnacs.
It's hard to say whisky has no additives in general, the ones that have no additives are probably those that are specifically labelled as so.
I tried the VSOP and it was good but some reason I like the blend of Courvoisier better it seems to have more character. And I can get two bottles of Courvoisier VS for the price of one bottle of Henny VSOP and enjoy it more . I tend to like the younger Cognacs better . But the wonderful thing about spirits is everyones taste are different so there is almost always something out there for someone. Thanks for the Review .
John Hotdogs
I like Courvoisier VS too. I like the spice and minty nip it delivers due to its youth. Hennessy VSOP has no nip or greeness obviously. Much smoother. I hear ya on the value for money play too.
Nevertheless when someone wants to know what you want for your birthday maybe suggest Henny VSOP.
I would probably ask for a bottle of Remy Martin 1738 ACCORD ROYAL. I actually very much enjoy that. If you get a chance to grab a bottle try it. I think its around 50 bucks or so a bottle .
Thanks for the recommendation. I will do my best!
Glad I found this video. I've noticed not many people talk about the VSOP. The VS is exalted in pop culture, and the XO is treated as a Holy Grail of cognac. (These two Hennessy grades alone have shirts dedicated to them!) This VSOP, as such, will very likely be my first actual cognac soon. Much appreciated, and perhaps you might have some other recommendations?
Hennessy VSOP is a great place to start for your first cognac. Really impressive! For a high-end suggestion, try Deluze XO, very complex flavor profile, a real delight.
Welcome to the channel!
Jason Debly I will be on the lookout! Although given what most XOs go for, I'll be saving for a good minute as a grad student😂 many thanks!
@@thebestcentaur If you are a student, Hennessy VS is really what you should enjoy. The difference between it and VSOP is not huge from a price differential. Enjoy!
Jason Debly you might actually be surprised out here. At a few stores I've found the VS for around $35-not bad. However, I've seen the VSOP priced as highly as $75. I can get it for $55 out here, but it is a small drive away. Hopefully you are right-I have had some of the VS before, and I thought it was decent. I probably made the mistake of having it on the rocks-it was diluted too quickly, so I couldn't appreciate the true taste. Hopefully that will change in the future, but I'm hoping for a different, more refined taste with the VSOP
@@thebestcentaur The VSOP will not disappoint! It will undoubtedly hook you into Cognac! Enjoy and best of luck with your university studies!
Are there additives in Xos?
I recently tried the Hennessey master blenders batch #2. Very enjoyable!
Yes, I hear it is good. Haven't been able to procure a bottle unfortunately.
Love your style and this review. This is my go to Cognac in the cooler months...so here we are again.
Try this for a twist; Frangelico.on ice with a splash of cognac.
I made it up
It is balanced.
~Enjoy
Sounds great! I’ll check it out!
Sorry to have to say but this is one of the hardest Cognac's to get in the UK, the VS and XO is pretty easy to get but you will struggle to find this VSOP in the shops, I had to get my bottle in the duty free shop on the ferry when we went to France.
Nice review
Thanks!
I love that cognac!
What can I say? Great minds think alike!
where do I find information about the amount of sugar? I read that Hennessy VSOP has approximately 20g / L.
Sorry, I don't know.
In France they use miniature wine glass with tall rim to drink cognac taste testing.. not the large snifter for some reason.
Thanks for your review!, very complete. I would like to ask if there is a significative difference in your opinnion between Hennessy VS and VSOP. I have the oportunity to buy one of them and I am not sure wich. Thanks a lot.
The VS is a little spicier. If you want super smooth and nothing offensive there is the VSOP. Frankly, I think you should just buy the VS. Its very nice. Difference in price for VSOP may not be worth it.
@@JasonDebly very true. i find the vsop a looooooooooot smoother. Vs is rough.
Why is the XO so much more than the ASOP?
Brexit Tip: shake it it: your hair are flat out on the right side, you can cover that by make a leave over from the left side, however lady shavecut is doing currently opposite to be not distinguished from what ?
I want to ask, I have bought 2 bottles, Hennessy VSOP and REMY MARTIN XO SPECIAL 700ML. I got from Collector. he said it's been a long time, maybe 20 years and over. all in sealed state, but the contents have been reduced by about 20%. is it still allowed to drink?
It appears that the cork seal at some point became no longer airtight and so some air got in resulting in evaporation.
The air exposure may affect the flavor but I think it would still be enjoyable and no more harmful than a good bottle.
Cheers!
First of all I want to thank you for this information, very helpful. because i'm in asia, here the weather is hotter. so whiskey stored for a long time can have a shortage effect. If you've ever been to Singapore, you'll know. hot in here.
@@ake-6003 Yup, Singapore is a hot country from what I understand a beautiful one I hope to visit one day.
LVMH is the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group merged in 1987, then was taken over by Bernard Arnault in 1988 due to a management crisis by the executive of Louis Vuitton and Moët. The LVMH group owns more 30 luxury goods companies. In 2019 LVMH had began taking over Tiffany & Co.
Hi Jason,
I'm new to your channel and so far I enjoy your review. I'm trying to give my Dad a gift and he's an exclusive Hennessyn fan. He always get the VS and never tried the VSOP or XO.
My first question is shich one do you recommend the VSOP or the XO?
Second question is Between the Big 4 (Hennessy, Martell, Courvoisier, Remy) of the Cognac Brand which one do you recommend or which one do you like the most?
I think that between Hennessy VSOP and XO the latter is not worth the difference in price.
THe XO worth seeking out and at a fair price is DeLuze XO. WOuld make an incredible gift!
@@JasonDebly thank you Jason.. I truly appreciate it! Your review are awesome!
When you have a chance, my favourite whisky is BUSHMILLS 16 YEARS. I would love to hear your review on it.
This is also my favorite cognac for the money. I don't really care for the VS, and the XO is too much money for the small quality difference over the VSOP. I can usually find VSOP for $50-$60 in my area.
I have had a couple bottles of the XO and like you say, it is simply not worth so much extra money for that tiny improvement in quality. I mean the VSOP is flawless. I have no complaints. The XO is a little dryer, that is a slight advantage, but thats about it.
Thanks for commenting!
Cognac like other like products suffer from diminishing returns for the $ the higher the product range hierarchy we go, a million dollar car will not have twice the amount of performance of a car that is half it's price.
does it have extra ingredients?
Been drinking Hennessy vsop for years! It's my number one drink
Can't go wrong with it. Very consistent!
I have seen many of these reviews and decided to grab a miniature of this bottle. At first I found it hot, with lots of sharp edges and a bit unpleasant. However I added a few drops of water and it really took away those sharp edges and was quite good. It won’t replace my enjoyment of scotch but it’s a nice change! Thanks for the review!
Phil Childress
I am surprised you found it a bit sharp. Water may help but i think maybe you ate something earlier that roughed up the palate like apicy food? Hennessy VSOP is very smooth.
Anyhow, keep tryin'. Its worth it!
Best,
So I decided to try another dram of this. It went down very easy and the sharpness I detected last time I tried this was gone. It was very good, and warming on the finish. An excellent change of pace...now I’ll have to try the XO
Awesome!
Yes, I like Cognac very much but also because it is a nice change from Scotch.
Before you get the XO, may I suggest getting an old bottle of VSOP from the 70s or 80s. Yes, it does not age anymore in a glass bottle, and it is only a little more concentrated due to evaporation over the years, but there is a noticeable difference from the modern VSOP.
Subbed 10/10 review
Thanks!
Mr. Debly seems already tried a few couple of shots before making a video. Cheers
Research my friend!
Nice video so do you recommend vsop over the Xo Hennessy?
Yes. I like the VSOP more.
What do you recomended if i want to buy a bottle, hennessy vsop or remy martin vsop?
The Hennessy is smoother and more suitable for someone who is new to cognac or only occasionally consumes the spirit like during holidays. The Remy Martin is very nice but a little less smooth. Both are good choices, but the Hennessy is probably where I would start if new to the category. Have a great day!
@@JasonDebly thanks for the quick response. I usually drink brandy, like Lepanto or Cardenal Mendoza. Do you think that Hennessy go with this kind of flavour?
@@juanjosefernandezbruniar5358 I am sure you will like the Hennessy VSOP in view of your brandy choices.
@@JasonDebly Thanks a lot!
Oh la la. Cognac. Fancy fancy.
I am a sucker for Cognac. I know it is loaded with artificial color, sugar and boise, but I dont care. love the stuff.
With legalisation of weed in Canada, do you enjoy a nice spliff on a cold winter night too?
No. I am not a fan of marijuana. It may have medicinal properties for pain management, but I think for recreational use, there are a lot of unknowns, as there are no long term studies conducted. Moreover, the weed of today is far more powerful than say in the 60's, and this more powerful drug may increase incidents of anxiety and other mental health issues, would be my guess.
Anecdotally, I have a friend who is a nurse and tells me life long users often have memory problems and tend to endorse, of all things conspiracy theories as they seem to draw 'connections' that most people dont see. She sees these types of patients all the time for unrelated illness and notes this feature of them. She also pointed out that zantac has recently been recalled for a link to cancer, after being exhaustively tested and studied. Marijuana has not undergone the long clinical trials that I think are needed.
I support decriminalizing it in the sense you pay a fine for use in public, etc, as I dont think anyone should go to jail for recreational use among adults.
But, for me, its not my cup of tea.
I enjoy an alcoholic beverage obviously, but I know people who cannot be moderate in their consumption. And for that reason, I have the utmost respect for people who dont drink alcohol. Everyone has to know their limitations and what is not healthy for them. I just need to learn some moderation for cheese! I am sure I well on my way to an early heart attack.
My humble opinion only.
Best,
@@JasonDebly wow, thank you for that long answer. I must sub to you now for that. Peace.
I haven't had cognac in a good while, but when I drank it, I stayed basic while I explored whisky more. So I thought Martell was the smoothest, most sippable VS in PA stores at the time (we now have another brand or two I didn't get to try back then), and that Hennessy VS was...justifiably popular for shots. So as I've been considering revisiting cognac, I've been wondering whether Hennessy VSOP is a major improvement over the VS or just another case of paying for brand power. Based on your review, it sounds like a must-try for whisky drinkers! Didn't you also recommend Remy Martin VSOP some time ago? Both are pretty easy to find in 750 ml and 375 ml sizes where I live, and the latter should be a nice way to try them.
The Hennessy VSOP is a major step up from the VS. I like the VS and it is fine but has a bit of bite, mint and spearmint. I enjoy those attributes. But by going to the VSOP those notes are gone and what you have in its place is smoother, more chocolate and layered flavors. You really should try the Hennessy VSOP. Remy Martin is good too but Hennessy edges it out as more refined.
Cheers!
Can you please do a review of the Branson Cognac VSOP...
I would like to but where I live it is not available.
@@JasonDebly I appreciate the response. I also want to thank you for your review of the Virginia Black Whiskey. I'm so glad I didn't waste my money on that stuff.
can you do a review of Courvoisier xo?
Steve harwood
Sure. Gimme a couple of weeks.
What happened Jason, you couldn't find a bigger glass? :)
Ha! Nope, it was the best I could do.
Lmfaooo
This and the Martell VSOP are my go to cognacs of choice. I know it's narrow-minded to not explore a bit more, but they are really good.
Not narrow minded at all. You know what you like! Nothing wrong with that.
Jason Debly I'll raise a glass to that!
which do you prefer couvoisier vsop or henessy vsop? Thanks.
Most people would say Hennessy. That’s because it is smoother. For me, I enjoy the peppery and ginger notes of the Courvoisier.
Bottom line: if you prefer smoothness get the Hennessy, but if you like some spice then try the Courvoisier.
Jason Debly thanks. I really appreciate single malt, especially those from Islay. But these days I tasted a Napoleon Rodin Vsop brandy and found it interesting. Now, I will venture a little into brandys / cognacs. a single malt after opening, if well stored, can drink for years, as oxidation does not spoil whiskey (slightly affects taste, but nothing that gets in the way), BUT for brandys / cognacs, after opening, it has to consume in how long?thank you.
@@Varias_Variaveis Once a bottle is open, I try to finish it within six months, even for single malts. Thats just me. If you can handle the change in flavour due to oxidation, I say finish in a year.
Please consider trying high end grappa. It's an amazing spirit!
My breath taste so good
I need to get into Cognacs! Is there much difference between Cognacs and Brandy in taste?? Like three Barrels or Emperador?
I find there is a fair bit of difference between cognac and brandy. I have had XO brandies that are not as good as VS grade cognacs.
What I forgot to mention in the review is that Hennessy VSOP is probably the best of the mass produced cognacs out there. It is the gold standard that most others are measured against.
For one most brandy that is easy to get anyway seem to be produced quite cheap . Lots of them made from Winery in California . Brandy and Cognacs are made the same way but there is a huge difference between the grapes used. You can open a bottle of brandy and pour a glass and sit it to the side and most likely not even smell it. But if you open a bottle of Cognac and pour a glass it often fills the entire room with smells that are often off putting to some and I have been told "Stinks" when I drink some at a local bar . Do they taste the same not at all to me . Now I have gotten lucky and found a couple bottles of decent brandy in my days but like I said most of it is just nothing at all like a decent bottle of Cognac.
Picked this up today for 53$ excited to try this cognac xo is next come tax time 😆
Enjoy!
You know the more I think about it with inflation on the rise with everything. Wouldn’t it make sense to buy as much of this as you can afford for the long term like 50 bottles now? I feel a year from now this will
Be 75 a 5th instead of 65
"I know it looks pretentious" I get this same thought in the back of my head every time I drink from my snifter but damn if it doesn't work.
We just gotta be guys who march to the beat of our own drums! Happy holidays and enjoy your cognac in good health.
Also, I swirl in a few tablespoons in my Thanksgiving gravy 😋
M - Moët
H - Hennessy
LV - Louis Vuitton
MHLV
LVMH - Louis Vuitton, Moet, Hennessey.
Could you expand to cigars, also?
Ha! My wife would kill me.
But ya know, a fairly large cigar manufacturer did make such an offer. It was tempting, but I turned it down. I smoke enough and having a channel would mean smoking a bit too much.
Thanks for the suggestion though!
I have suggestion for you: Try Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Natural. A real gem at a reasonable price!
Not the normal one 💃
I don't like the VSOP at all. It has too much of a bite and I don't like the flavour. I prefer the VS and the XO. Weird thing though, I bought the 375 ml XO..it was amazing and chocolately, so I bought the 750 ml XO...it was not as good! It was missing that chocolately flavour. So consistency is not guaranteed.
$50 red edition at Costco..
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
Whisky purists giving out about cognac's purity? In the mean time whisky smells like vanilla so much it makes you sick ..
The old vsop that u find on cruises is awsome privage vsop taste like crap
Duly noted.
Irish brandy
sugar? there is no sugar add, pls...
Read here: www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Cognac.html
“Caramel may be added to even out color variations. Sugar syrup may be added to sweeten and enrich less mature brandies.
See also:
winefolly.com/review/the-guide-to-cognac/
And I quote:
“The use of caramel color, boisé, and sugar is allowed to adjust the taste/look of Cognac before release. Boisé is created by boiling wood chips in water, then removing the chips and slowly reducing the remaining liquid. By the way, these methods are seriously frowned upon in fine Cognac but are quite prevalent large production VS where darker color is associated with quality.”
I think the confusion around sugar is understandable. Cognac producers are required by law not to add sugar at a certain stage but at the stage of adding artificial colour they also add ‘boise’ that is a concoction that includes sugar.
Good comment and I appreciate it!
So, for the "true Cognac connoisseur", the knowledge that there’s artificial colouring in my favourite tipple might well be something Im not prepared to put up with. :/
Alessio Che There May be some XO level cognacs like Deluze but again if they use Boise then they are using an additive involving sugar.
Frankly, don’t think single malt scotch is super pure as the industry would have you believe. Stills often can get too much foam produced and so an anti-foaming agent is added to prevent this which if done too
Much can contribute to a soapy note.
In conclusion, I suspect there are very few spirits produced in a truly pure form.
Not for moi -- guess I'm a purist.
Well, thanks for watching anyway. Have a great weekend!
Z😊
I get drunk af off this
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Gave myself alchohol poison off this