About
Cognac is a town in western France, set beside the Charente River, and it gives its name to the brandy distilled and aged in the surrounding countryside. For many visitors, the reason to come is simple: to see where the spirit is made and to taste it where it matures.
What to see
The town is known for its distilleries and ageing warehouses, many of them centuries old. Several of the best-known houses, among them Hennessy and Rémy Martin, offer tours through their cellars. These visits show how the spirit is distilled, moved into casks and left to age over the years, and they give a clear sense of the craft behind the name on the bottle.
The angels' share
One of the most striking features of a visit is the so-called "angels' share": during ageing, part of the brandy evaporates through the casks into the air. This loss gives the surrounding area its distinctive aromatic atmosphere, a scent that many visitors notice as soon as they walk through the cellars.
Planning a visit
- Book a cellar tour with one of the houses, since tours are the main way to see the warehouses up close.
- Allow time to walk the riverside and the historic streets of the town itself.
- Expect a visit that suits both those with a keen interest in spirits and those who simply enjoy a relaxed town and its surroundings.
Cognac is best approached slowly, much like the brandy it is named for: a day or more, a few distillery tours, and time to stroll beside the Charente.
