Brandy is the broad family of spirits distilled from wine or fermented fruit, while Cognac and Armagnac are protected French appellations with their own regions, grapes and production requirements.
The collection ranges from established Cognac houses such as Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Martell to vintage Armagnac from Castarède and Delord, alongside Armenian brandy, Australian releases and the distinctive Greek spirit Metaxa.
Cognac
Cognac is produced within the designated Cognac region of western France and follows detailed appellation rules covering vineyard origin, distillation and maturation.
The spirit is made primarily from white wine grapes, particularly Ugni Blanc, before double distillation in Charentais copper pot stills and maturation in oak.
The collection spans Hennessy V.S, V.S.O.P and X.O, limited Hennessy editions, Rémy Martin V.S.O.P and Louis XIII, and Martell V.S, Cordon Bleu and X.O.
VS, VSOP & XO Cognac
Cognac age designations refer to the youngest eau-de-vie in the final blend.
VS requires at least two years of oak ageing, while older classifications including VSOP and XO indicate progressively longer minimum maturation periods. Cognac cannot be sold until it has undergone at least two years of uninterrupted ageing in oak.
Age designation is only one guide to style. House blending, cru, cask selection and the age of older components can all influence the finished Cognac.
Prestige & Limited Cognac
At the upper end of the category, Cognac houses draw on older reserves, more selective blending and distinctive presentation.
The collection includes Hennessy Paradis, Rémy Martin Louis XIII, mature Hennessy and Martell releases, and annual or commemorative editions such as Hennessy's Chinese New Year, NBA and LeBron James bottlings.
Large formats are also represented through Hennessy X.O and V.S.O.P 1.5L alongside standard bottles and selected miniatures.
Armagnac
Armagnac is produced in Gascony in south-west France and has its own appellation and distilling traditions.
The region includes Bas-Armagnac, Armagnac-Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac, with Armagnac commonly distilled using the traditional Armagnac still before maturation in oak.
The collection has particular depth in vintage releases, including Castarède Bas-Armagnac 1971 and multiple vintages from Delord.
Vintage Armagnac
Vintage statements are especially significant in Armagnac.
Rather than identifying only a minimum age, a vintage Armagnac relates to spirit distilled from a particular harvest year, allowing individual bottlings to reflect both that vintage and its subsequent maturation.
This makes older Armagnac particularly appealing for milestone years, anniversaries and collectors looking for a spirit tied to a specific date.
Brandy Beyond Cognac & Armagnac
Brandy traditions extend well beyond France.
Ararat Nairi 20 Year Old represents Armenia's long-established grape-brandy tradition, while Australian examples include Château Tanunda V.S.O.P and other small-production releases.
Metaxa occupies a category of its own. Rather than being simply an aged grape brandy, it combines aged wine distillates with sweet Muscat wine and Mediterranean botanicals.
The collection includes Metaxa 7 Stars, 12 Stars and Private Reserve.
Choosing Cognac, Armagnac or Brandy
For a classic introduction to French grape spirits, VSOP Cognac offers a useful balance between fruit, oak and maturity.
For deeper oak-aged character, explore XO and prestige Cognac, while vintage Armagnac offers a particularly compelling route into mature spirits with specific year provenance.
International brandies and spirits such as Ararat and Metaxa provide distinctly different regional traditions beyond France.
Shop Cognac, Brandy & Armagnac at Kent Street Cellars
Explore Cognac, vintage Armagnac and fine brandy from Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Martell, Delord, Castarède, Ararat, Metaxa and more.
Delivery is available Australia-wide, with same-day delivery also available across eligible Sydney metropolitan areas.
