When buying old cognac, check the color of the liquid and the label for added coloring. Sitting in a bottle does not make cognac old. Old cognac is usually dark in color, while light-colored cognac is usually only a couple of years old or has artificial coloring. Labels indicate the age of cognac brands, with VS being aged for about two years, VSOP for 4-6 years, XO for at least six years, and vielle reserve and hors d’age being the oldest.
Buying a bottle of old cognac can be a great investment, but for many novices, it can be a confusing experience. When trying to buy old cognac, experts advise consumers to look at the color of the liquid inside. This will often give some indication of how long the cognac has been aged in the barrels. Buyers should also check the label for added colouring. Along with the ingredients, a cognac label is also the source of additional useful information about the age of the liquor.
A common misconception about cognac is that if it sits in the bottle for a long time, it is considered old cognac. This is false. Some types of cognac are aged only in wooden barrels. For example, consider a cognac that has been aged for two years before being bottled. If that bottle sat on a shelf for ten years, it would still be considered a two-year-old cognac, no matter how long it sat in the bottle.
Consumers are often told to look at the color of the cognac before buying an apparently old bottle of cognac. In general, old cognac is usually a dark color, such as amber or dark red. This is because it has obtained some of the color and aroma of the wooden barrels.
Light-colored cognac is usually only a couple of years old. Some manufacturers will also add artificial coloring to the liquor to make it darker. They do it so that the liqueur resembles old cognac. One way to find out if artificial coloring has been added is by checking the bottle label. If this information is not available here, a person can also check the manufacturer’s website or contact them directly.
Reading the labels on cognac bottles can also help a consumer gather information about the age of cognac brands. Along with the ingredients and brand names, these labels typically indicate roughly how old the cognac is. Different markings, for example, often refer to different eras.
Cognac labeled very special (VS) is typically only aged for about two years. Very Special Old Pale (VSOP) is a bit older, but usually only found in barrels for 4-6 years. Extra old cognacs (XO) are aged for at least six years and often much longer. The oldest types of cognacs are usually vielle reserve and hors d’age, which literally translates to “beyond age.
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