SPIRITS

For a category so often associated with luxury and over-the-top opulence—the drink of kings and hip-hop royalty—it’s good to remember that not all Cognac is super-pricey and precious. And VSOP Cognac is a good place to start pouring. Compared to the youngest Cognac (VS), which can be oaky and astringent—often better to mix than drink straight—VSOP is mellow and mature.

To be called VSOP, the youngest brandy in the mix must be at least four years old, however often it’s blended with much older . You’ll almost never see a single-vintage Cognac,