Hardy is a reliable Cognac producer with some extremely expensive bottlings on the market. Today we’re looking at some more affordable fare, both of which you should find widely and readily available.

Both are 80 proof.

Hardy VSOP Organic Cognac Review

Hardy has had this organic VSOP on the market for years, but we’ve never reviewed it. It’s recently been relabeled and features a bit of a Deco-inspired bottle now.

The brandy is light on its feet with an expressive and floral nose, undercut with notes of sandalwood and toasted almonds, giving a slightly masculine character that’s decidedly rare in the Cognac world.

The palate surprises with an immediate pop of chocolate, fading from there into a mix of florals and lighter fruit notes. More white flowers and some strawberry soon appear, tempering the more brooding notes that linger on the nose. Slightly nutty on the finish, with lingering hints of biscotti and a stronger vanilla note — plus a grind of pepper. Approachable and very mixable.

B+ / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Hardy Legend 1863 Cognac Review

A non age-categorized Cognac, this is made with grapes from a mix of regions, including a small amount of Borderies. The label pictured is a new design that replaces a more traditional gold-on-glass etching (which was admittedly hard to read.)

Fruit is dominant: Dense raisin notes hit the nose immediately, dusted with baking spice and a lighter layer of floral notes than expected. It’s a youthful brandy, with some more alcohol-driven aromas evident, but they never come across as particularly harsh, perhaps because that raisiny fruit is so effective at covering it up.

The palate continues the fruit theme, with ample sweetness hitting the tongue immediately. It may be a little over-sweet, with overtones of jelly and perhaps a touch of Port wine. Time on the palate helps evoke some moderate notes of dark chocolate, tart cherries, brown banana, and hints of hibiscus as the finish arrives, but overall it’s a fairly straightforward experience that keeps the pedal down hard on macerated fruit in syrup — arguably to the exclusion of much else.

Note that prices vary widely.

B+ / $73 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

The post Review: Hardy Cognac – VSOP Organic and Legend 1863 appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider's Guide to Good Drinking.