Our Top Cognac Picks Beyond the Big Four

Don't let the sleek, modern design or the name fool you - ABK6 is a traditionally-made cognac produced at Domaines Francis Abécassis (hence the abbreviated name, ABK6) in the Fins Bois region. This single-estate VSOP is produced from grapes grown in the chalky soils and higher elevations of its vineyards. Though this category calls for grapes aged a minimum of 4.5 years, ABK6 prides itself in the maturity of the fruit used in its eaux-de-vie.

This expression is a blend of eaux-de-vie that come from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions of Cognac that are matured a minimum 8 years in French Limousin oak.

Pierre Ferrand doesn't classify their cognacs with the standard VS, VSOP, XO, etc. classifications. Using their own labeling, Ambre, their youngest standard expression, is an average of 10 years. Ferrand uses mostly ugni blanc grapes with a small portion of colombard grapes used and all were sourced from the Grande Champagne area.

This Grande Champagne cognac comes from Frapin, a veteran cognac producer and wine-grower. Made from a blend aged for roughly 10 years in French Limousin oak barrels. It is sold in a reproduction of a 16th century bottle.

This is the "youngest" in the Tesseron collection of cognacs, but even still it is gets an XO designation as the eaux-de-vie are at least 10 years of age. The grapes used for this bottling are ugni blanc which hail from Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Fins Bois. Lot No. 90 was formerly known as XO Selection, but has undergone a name change to XO Ovation.

This cognac from HINE is comprised of about 60% Grand Champagne and the remainder using Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie making this a Fine Champagne Cognac. The age for the cognac used in this blend range from 6-12 years with the average age being 8 years. Note: HINE has dropped the VSOP from the name of this HINE Rare Fine Champagne Cognac, but its production hasn't changed.

KELT Tour du Monde cognacs undergo a 90 day voyage at sea while aging; with the variances of movement, air pressure, and temperature while at sea contributing to the cognac's unique aging process. This Grande Champagne VSOP is a secret blend of young and old cognacs that have aged 4 to 12 years in French Limousin oak.

Delamain was established in 1920 and is still (mostly) family-owned. They are a cognac house which uses only eaux-de-vie from the highest cru in Cognac, the Grande Champagne region. Delamain Pale & Dry XO Cognac is named for its pale color and dry style of cognac. It is also the youngest release from the house with an average age of 25 years. There is no caramel color added and the proof is brought down with older cognac at a lower proof rather than with water.

From the House of Fussigny, which sits on the banks of the Charente River in the town of Cognac, this spirit is a blend of two eaux-de-vie distilled in the Cognac region of France: one from Grande Champagne and another from Petite Champagne. The distillate is aged at least 10 years in French oak casks to qualify as an XO, although most XO cognacs contain much older spirit.

Delamain Vesper XO consists of cognac aged 30-35 years of age. Aged in 350-liter very old Limousin oak casks which are stored in their in humid cellars near the Charente River. Once selected, the cognacs are blended and aged for 2 more years to marry. Made entirely from 100% Grande Champagne and brought down in proof by the addition of very old low-proof eaux-de-vie.