Favorite Cognac and cigars!!!

[FriendlyFire]

I think you might want to make a seperate thread for the troops. You will get a better response.

Originally Posted by cigarsmoker

DONATIONS FOR TROOPS
Started by: Jeff Jackson @ Cigar.com

I deal with a lot of Military Personnel overseas in combat right now that order cigars from me to use for relaxation time. Our troops could use our help. This is why I put together this donation for the troops for items they wish to have:

• Cigars
• Cigar accessories
• Books
• Health & Hygiene Items
• Bagged Coffee

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY FORM OF MONEY, DO NOT SEND LIQUOR, COPIED DVD’S, CHEMICALS, ETC.

SOME OF THE UNITS BEING HELPED OUT THIS TIME ROUND:

• 214th Fires Brigade
• 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment
• Some troops from mixed units – going home gifts!

SEND ITEMS TO:

PM ME FOR ADDRESS

***Note*** Please put your name & return address on a paper. The Units are sending items for me to hand back to all donators.

[punch]

Originally Posted by SmokeyJoe

Aboard ship, I had the opportunity to try some Armagnac - which I found to be smoother than the Cognacs I have sampled. Of course, the Armagnac comes from dried plums rather than grapes.

Not true. Armagnac is made from the same grapes as Cognac. While Armagnac is a different region than Cognac, it has been producing brandies longer than the Cognac region. The main difference between the two is how they are distilled. I believe that all Cognac is distilled twice in pot stills. Armagnac is distilled once in column stills. Some is double distilled and mixed with the single distilled product. Both Cognac and Armagnac are then stored in oak for about the same time, with five years being the minimum for a VSOP rating.

[cigarsmoker]

Originally Posted by punch

Not true. Armagnac is made from the same grapes as Cognac. While Armagnac is a different region than Cognac, it has been producing brandies longer than the Cognac region. The main difference between the two is how they are distilled. I believe that all Cognac is distilled twice in pot stills. Armagnac is distilled once in column stills. Some is double distilled and mixed with the single distilled product. Both Cognac and Armagnac are then stored in oak for about the same time, with five years being the minimum for a VSOP rating.

Not sure either, but I would give it a try. I have a few bottles of aged cognac. One from 1978'

[calistogey]

Originally Posted by punch

Not true. Armagnac is made from the same grapes as Cognac. While Armagnac is a different region than Cognac, it has been producing brandies longer than the Cognac region.

Has been my understanding as well. They supposedly have more of a unique raw character and a bit more fruity. Have actually only tried a couple of different ones because of the lack of availability and not to mention the cost.

I would definitely recommend Jerez brandies because of their taste, fruitiness ample heat and affordability. There are a few bottles of Solera Reservas that I rotate whenever I have my bros over for a herf.

[punch]

Originally Posted by calistogey

Has been my understanding as well. They supposedly have more of a unique raw character and a bit more fruity. Have actually only tried a couple of different ones because of the lack of availability and not to mention the cost.

I would definitely recommend Jerez brandies because of their taste, fruitiness ample heat and affordability. There are a few bottles of Solera Reservas that I rotate whenever I have my bros over for a herf.

Cost wise, the Cerbois VSOP is a pretty good Bas-Armagnac. It can be had for around $30.00 a bottle. While this is not the best Armagnac out there, I have found it smoother and more flavorfull than comperably priced Cognacs.

[cigarsmoker]

Originally Posted by calistogey

Has been my understanding as well. They supposedly have more of a unique raw character and a bit more fruity. Have actually only tried a couple of different ones because of the lack of availability and not to mention the cost.

I would definitely recommend Jerez brandies because of their taste, fruitiness ample heat and affordability. There are a few bottles of Solera Reservas that I rotate whenever I have my bros over for a herf.

I do not know if I want to ask the avg. cost?

But what the hell, how much?

[cigarsmoker]

Originally Posted by punch

Cost wise, the Cerbois VSOP is a pretty good Bas-Armagnac. It can be had for around $30.00 a bottle. While this is not the best Armagnac out there, I have found it smoother and more flavorfull than comperably priced Cognacs.

Hey $30 a bottle is not bad, it is most likely a lot better than grappa? I would be happy, since I do not like that liquor

[SmokeyJoe]

Originally Posted by punch

Not true. Armagnac is made from the same grapes as Cognac. While Armagnac is a different region than Cognac, it has been producing brandies longer than the Cognac region. The main difference between the two is how they are distilled. I believe that all Cognac is distilled twice in pot stills. Armagnac is distilled once in column stills. Some is double distilled and mixed with the single distilled product. Both Cognac and Armagnac are then stored in oak for about the same time, with five years being the minimum for a VSOP rating.

Thanks for dropping the knowledge, man. That will teach me to trust a french guy on a cruise ship... just yanking my little un-cultured chain!

[cigarsmoker]

Originally Posted by SmokeyJoe

Thanks for dropping the knowledge, man. That will teach me to trust a french guy on a cruise ship... just yanking my little un-cultured chain!

LOL, I agree, some you can trust.

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by SmokeyJoe

Aboard ship, I had the opportunity to try some Armagnac - which I found to be smoother than the Cognacs I have sampled. Of course, the Armagnac comes from dried plums rather than grapes.

Joe, I think your guy confused Armagnac with Calvados, which is made (I believe) from apples.

[Darrell]

So, how do I drink this Cognac?

[cigarsmoker]

Originally Posted by lenguamor

Joe, I think your guy confused Armagnac with Calvados, which is made (I believe) from apples.

apples, that is different and might be interesting.

[Kayak_Rat]

Originally Posted by Darrell

So, how do I drink this Cognac?

I am no coonisewwer, but I think using your mouth.

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by Darrell

So, I got a bottle of Remy Martin VSOP. I had a little bit in a wine glass and it's great, but how are you supposed to drink it? With ice?

Neat...always neat. And if you have a brandy snifter, all the better to enjoy all the body and aroma.

A snifter is shaped like a large oblong bowl, tapering in at the top; shaped like a light bulb.

Crystal is best, because crystal is actually not smooth on the inside. On a microscopic level, crystal is craggy like the side of a cliff, which traps and captures the essences and aromas of the liquid.

And as to my favorites, I like a Remy VSOP or an XO on special occasions with a rich cigar; last time I smoked that combination was a Cohiba 5 Maduro. Very nice.

[lenguamor]

Originally Posted by cigarsmoker

apples, that is different and might be interesting.

It is. It's a nice drink...smooth, not as powerful as Cognac.