Cognac vs. Whiskey: Which One Will You Love?

There are several differences between cognac and whiskey, making choosing between the two drinks somewhat confusing.

Staring at rows and rows of different bottles at your local liquor store offering different flavors, notes, and price tags can be a bit of a spiritual nightmare.

Is cognac a whiskey? What’s the difference in taste? How are they produced? Do they taste the same?

Before spending your hard-earned dollars on several bottles, and going in for a blind taste test, let us guide you and explain the main differences between the two popular spirits, cognac vs. whiskey so that you can make informed choices when choosing the right premium spirit that suits your lifestyle.

Cognac vs. Whiskey: What’s the Difference?

Cognac vs whiskey, that age-old question.

Simply put, the main difference between cognac and whiskey is that cognac is produced from fermented grapes and whiskey is produced from fermented grain giving each spirit its own distinctive flavor.

Cognac offers a lot of stone fruit flavors like plum plus floral notes whereas whiskey has more toffee, malt, and vanilla notes. Plus whiskey has many different variations such as bourbon, rye, or scotch.

And of course, regions come into play. Whiskey can be made all over the world, such as in the USA, Scotland, and Japan. Whereas cognac is only made in the Cognac region of France under strict guidelines.

Both spirits have different processing methods. Cognac starts with grapes at the winery where they are fermented before being distilled, aged, and then sometimes blended.

Whiskey on the other hand has a process of malting, mashing, distilling, and aged. It’s these differences in the base product and processing methods that gives each cognac and whiskey its distinctive flavor, aroma, and color.

Whiskey vs. Cognac: The Complete Comparison

What are the Production Differences Between Whiskey Vs Cognac?

Both cognac and whiskey are fermented with yeast, distilled, and aged in oak barrels. That’s where the buck stops with the production similarities.

Apart from the obvious difference between the main starting ingredients, the way each of the spirits is processed is completely distinctive.

Cognac follows strict guidelines whereas whiskey has a much freer process which allows it to produce variations of whiskey such as wheat, Irish, or bourbon varieties.

From Grain to Glass: How is Whiskey made?

Whiskey starts as a grain. Mainly Barley, but it could have added rye in it for rye whiskey or corn in it for bourbon.

The magic then begins with the malting process where husks and debris are removed. Nobody needs floaters in their whiskey!

Then comes the mashing process where water is added to dissolve the sugars. Yeast is then put in to start the fermentation process and it is then double, or sometimes triple distilled.

The whiskey is finally placed in oak casks for the aging process. This aging allows harsher flavors to mellow and for the whiskey to draw flavor and color from the Oakwood. 

What’s more, different types of oakwoods give the whiskey completely different flavors.

American white oak offers caramel and vanilla-like notes and European oak gives us a whiskey that is more bitter and spicier.

Whiskey from the US  is aged for a minimum of 2 years, whereas Scottish whiskey must be aged at least 3 years. Aging can vary from 2 years up to 50 years and beyond, with some of the longer-aged whiskeys fetching a pretty penny due to their distinctive tastes and aromas.

Although the process for producing whiskey is the same, the subtle differences from grain type, aging length, to the oak they use can make a difference in taste, color, and aroma.

Some Scottish distilleries even claim the water they use makes a difference. Trickled down the Scottish mountainside over 400 years. Calm down, Dougal. 

What is the Cognac Creating Process?

Cognac is a type of brandy that can only be produced in the region of Cognac in France. It also has a set of strict guidelines that must be followed in order for it to be called cognac.

Some of the varieties of cognac stretch back 300 years. Martell was the first, making cognac since 1715, and Hennessy has been making the spirit since 1765.

But I thought Hennessy was a whiskey? Contrary to popular belief. Hennessy is a cognac and not a whiskey.

Unlike whiskey and its grain, cognac starts with white grapes that are low in sugar and with high acidity.

Ugni Blanc is the most used grape in cognac production, being around at least 90% of the Cognac alongside Colombard, Folle Blanche, Montils, Sémillon, and Folignan grape varieties.

They’re then pressed and left to ferment between 2 – 3 weeks using yeasts that are from the Cognac region. It is then double distilled in specifically Charentais copper alembic stills of a set size creating a colorless liquid called eau-de-vie. 

Like whiskey, it is transferred to oak barrels, where it is aged for at least two years. This process gives it a similar appearance to whiskey.

Cognac Vs. Whiskey: Which Flavor is for you?

Whiskey has more varieties of tastes. This is due to the fact it has much freer production guidelines than cognac.

Cognac has to follow strict guidelines in the creation process generating more specific flavors between the brands. Whiskey is definitely for you if you want more variety in your spirit drinking.

What does Whiskey taste like?

Although the process of producing whiskey from grain to glass is similar, each subtle change in the process along the way generates a different flavor for the style of whiskey.

Bourbon tends to be sweet whereas rye whiskey is more spicy and peppery. Scottish single malt Scotch has a creamy smooth taste, and Japanese whiskey brings a drier flavor to the mix.

Longer-aged whiskeys bring more complex flavors into the mix. And additional processes such as peat smoking the barley offers more characteristics to whiskey flavors. 

Does Cognac taste like Whiskey?

Although very similar to some whiskey, with its spices and zest notes, cognac has its own distinctive flavor and notes.

Taking your nose to cognac will give you five major aromas which are vanilla, prune, caramel, orange, and apricot.

In addition, due to its strict processes and ingredients, all cognac tastes very similar. Flavor differences are more subtle between each brand and variety.

These traditions of using only Ugni Blanc grapes, specific copper stills, double-distilling, and French oak barrels add to the recognized flavor, aroma, and color of cognac.

The longer the cognac is aged, the more refined it tastes.

Fruity flavors become plum-like and figgy. The Oak flavor changes into more sandalwood, cedar, and eucalyptus. A cognac that’s aged 15 years or over, develops a richer and darker taste that has scents of licorice, chocolate, and tobacco. 

Cognac Vs. Whiskey: The History

When it comes down to cognac vs. whiskey there is one thing that makes them similar. A rich and interesting history. Both have distinctive roots with distilling processes that have barely changed over the years. 

How long has Whiskey been around?

It all started with the art of distilling. When distilling landed in Scotland and Ireland around the 15th Century, the process of creating alcohol from grain was born.

The first evidence of whiskey production was in Scotland around 1495 when malt was sent to Friar John Cor by order of King James IV of Scotland, to make aqua vitae.

Although the whiskey wasn’t aged at all, making it taste bitter and rough. Or as we call it, ‘homebrew’.

Although Scotland is probably the most famous of all whiskey producers, throughout the centuries, the art of whiskey creation has spread far and wide to each part of the world. With each country and region adding subtle differences. Putting their own stamp on the color, aroma, and flavor.

From the sweetness of Private Selection Maker’s Mark Bourbon to the unusual subtle lightness of Spains Destilerias Y Crianza del Whiskey, right through to the smokiness of peat-infused Talisker 57° North from Scotland. There is a whiskey for everyone.

From French beginnings: The History of Cognac

Cognac has its roots firmly placed in the region of, well, er Cognac in France.

Starting a few hundred years later than whiskey, cognac was the result of Dutch settlers and traders in France distilling white wine into eau-de-vie to keep it drinkable for longer for the journey home.

The result was brandewijn or ‘burnt wine’ which became what we know as Brandy today. So cognac is brandy. Yes. But not all brandy is a cognac.

The 18th century saw the development of Cognac houses with Jean Martell producing the first commercial range of cognac. The cognac house would even buy the brandies from grape growers and farmers as long as they met their strict guidelines.

Throughout the centuries the cognac traditional methods and strict guidelines have stood the test of time. With its smooth and distinctive flavor, cognac is enjoyed worldwide delivering a luxury spirit in a glass. 

So, Is Hennessy Whiskey?

That’s a big no. Hennessy is definitely not a whiskey. Hennessy is a traditional cognac.

Hennessy’s cognac is one of the top four cognacs in the World. Created by Richard Hennessy of Irish descent, he exported it to the United States in the late 1800s. Clearly becoming the USA’s cognac of choice, thanks to its luxury branding, classic aroma, and distinctive taste.

In reality, there isn’t a cognac vs whiskey argument, and there definitely isn’t a Hennessy vs whiskey argument. Both are distinctive drinks offering a unique drinking experience like no other. 

Cognac is ideal as an after-dinner digestive, sipped slowly after a perfect meal as you relax into the night.

Something to wind the long hours away on a crisp evening is a perfect whiskey. Born from the heart of Kentucky, a bourbon will knock the chill of a winter’s evening out of the park. Warming and traditional to the US. 

To help you choose the right bourbon that you’ll love, we’ve created the perfect buying guide with our Best bourbon lists. This guide allows you to work out which bourbon whiskey is the ideal one for you, based on price, taste, aroma, and color.