Costco XO Cognac

[TheAngryDog]

Is this any good? It's my 40th soon and I fancy trying an XO Cognac for my birthday, but don't want to be disappointed. The Costco one is cheap (doesn't always mean bad).

Sans coca cola, btw.

[Ham_and_Jam]

I’ve tried a lot of XO’s over the years, some cheap and some very expensive, and found Hennessey XO to be the best. It’s just so dark and full of flavour compared to the others. Served neat, no ice.

Heads and shoulders above others at this price. If you want something special in your drinks cabinet this is the one.

https://www.costco.co.uk/Wines-Spirits-Beer/Spirit...

[Clive Milk]

Agree with the above, also

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/remy-martin...

Might have a touch more taste, but equally smooth.

However, I would like to hear how Costco XO tastes like, could be a hidden gem. You need to buy the expensive stuff as well as that though to do a back to back. I know, a hardship

[hantsxlg]

I did a tasting a few years back of Remy xo vs Tesco premier cru finest vs bogo Hennessy and you could really tell the difference with the price actually reflecting the taste.

I have back to back tasted the Hennessy xo vs Remy xo and both are lovely with the remy being just my favourite...

[RammyMP]

My MIL drinks plenty of the Costco XO, she seems to like it. The big bottle of Costco Irish whiskey is good also, think it’s about £40 a bottle.

[TheAngryDog]

Thanks guys. What about Armagnac? I've had a bottle of Waitrose's one, but I assume there are better out there?

[HM-2]

TheAngryDog said:

Thanks guys. What about Armagnac? I've had a bottle of Waitrose's one, but I assume there are better out there?

This one is pretty spectacular: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baron-Sigognac-20-Ans-70/...
Armagnac, you tend to get quite a lot of "age" for the price compared to scotch etc. Being a bit more niche probably helps.

[SlimJim16v]

St Remy XO, only £22.50 from Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon, nothing special, but much nicer than anything at this price should be. A bargain and when it's £2 off I buy a couple of bottles.

[TheAngryDog]

Thanks guys. I aren't sure whether to go Armagnac or Cognac. Being my 40th cost isn't too big an issue, but obviously want it to be not too expensive lol.

[Wadeski]

Armanac tends to be a better value (and often more transparently labelled) than Cognac for equivalent price.

I don't know how much the Costco XO is, but I often keep decent cheaper brandy on hand for brandy old fashioneds, metropolitans (aka a brandy Manhattan) or champagne cocktails. Last one I went through was I think Reynal XO. I would rather mix an older version of a cheaper brandy than a very young brandy from a fancy brand.

[jet_noise]

HM-2 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Thanks guys. What about Armagnac? I've had a bottle of Waitrose's one, but I assume there are better out there?

This one is pretty spectacular: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baron-Sigognac-20-Ans-70/...
Armagnac, you tend to get quite a lot of "age" for the price compared to scotch etc. Being a bit more niche probably helps.

As is this from the Wine Soc. My special occasion 'gnac.
Otherwise Waitrose is indeed good. Although I tend to Tesco at present as the nearest Wairose is rather a long way South!

[TheAngryDog]

SlimJim16v said:

St Remy XO, only £22.50 from Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon, nothing special, but much nicer than anything at this price should be. A bargain and when it's £2 off I buy a couple of bottles.

I was bought a bottle of this when I left my last job. I think I may have had only 1 or 2 drinks from it. I must go back to it.

Since this post I have been bought a bottle of the Costco XO Cognac and I have to say I really do like it. My wife doesn't though lol.

I have a few cognacs in my collection now and a few brandys. I think I may treat myself to a Remy Martin or Hennessy XO next year.