Courvoisier Vs Cognac

Courvoisier VS is the entry-level bottling in the house's cognac range. The VS designation (Very Special) marks the youngest official age tier, which by regulation means the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend has spent at least two years in oak. No specific age statement, proof or tasting profile is given for this bottle, so what follows is what young cognacs in this tier usually offer, not a measured profile. Expect a fruit-forward style: pear, apple, citrus peel and a little vanilla and light toast from the barrel, with a short-to-medium finish and less of the dried-fruit and spice depth that longer-aged VSOP and XO bottlings develop. That lighter, brighter profile is why VS cognac is often used in mixing. Its fruit and oak are clear enough to carry a drink without the more delicate layers you would want to protect in an older bottle. In a Sidecar, the usual ratio is about two parts cognac to one part orange liqueur and one part fresh lemon juice. A young cognac gives the drink a firm backbone that stands up to the citrus. A Brandy Alexander, with equal parts cognac, crème de cacao and cream, shows how the spirit's vanilla and fruit tones blend into chocolate and dairy. In a Sazerac, cognac is the traditional base, with a sugar cube, Peychaud's bitters and an absinthe rinse, and a VS adds a clean fruit note without crowding the anise and spice. You can also sip it neat. Use a tulip-shaped glass or a small snifter and pour about an ounce and a half. Serve it at cool room temperature, roughly 60 to 68°F. Colder temperatures mute the aromas, and warming the glass in your hands for too long can make the alcohol seem sharper. If the nose feels tight, a few drops of room-temperature water will open it up. On the table, a young cognac like this pairs well with sharp aged cheeses, roasted nuts, dark chocolate or a fruit tart. It also works over a single large ice cube, or topped with ginger beer or tonic for a simple long drink.