How Do I Choose the Best Cognac Glasses?

Cognac is a variety of brandy named after the French region in which it is produced. Choosing the right cognac glasses means finding those that are made of a good quality material that won’t affect the taste of the brandy, and will let the aroma and flavor reach the drinker’s nose in just the right way. Quality cognac glasses will be made especially for cognac, although it may resemble a wine or other similar glass, and will take into account the temperature and volume of the cognac as well as its flavor.

A quality cognac glass should have a wide surface area to concentrate and mix. The rim of a cognac glass should be thin, however, because the aroma of the cognac needs to concentrate as it rises out of the glass. This concentrated aroma brings out the full flavor of the cognac, which allows it to taste fuller on the tongue.

There are two types of cognac glasses, the tulip glass and the balloon glass, which is also called a snifter. Each glass has its advantages, but the tulip glass is often preferred by connoisseurs, particularly for drinking older, more mature cognacs. The tulip-shaped glass resembles a wine glass, but it has a narrower neck and rim that lets the flavors of the cognac release gradually. The balloon cognac glass has a shorter stem than the tulip glass but has a much wider bottom. It is not usually considered as effective as the tulip glass at releasing the flavor of the cognac.

Quality cognac glasses are made from a variety of materials, but almost all of them are some form of glass or crystal. Typically, a cognac glass made of plastic can affect the flavor and taste of the brandy. Some manufacturers make glasses for a specific type of cognac, which affects both the shape and the material of the glass. Most of these manufacturers also make a basic cognac glass in addition to their specialty glasses.

You can purchase quality cognac glasses in a variety of places, including specialty glass and crystal stores, department stores and online. Estate sales can be a good place to buy a cognac glass, but you need to be able to identify a quality glass or bring someone with you who can. Checking online in chat groups dedicated to cognac or consulting with a sommelier at a restaurant can help you find out what types and brands of cognac glasses would be a good fit for your needs.