Cognac and whiskey definitely share many similarities, so it is unsurprising that so many people find themselves asking this question. You certainly are not the first, and I very much doubt you’ll be the last. It’s a little confusing, after all.

But the short answer is no. Cognac and whiskey are not the same thing.

For some drinking connoisseurs, there’s quite the battle between which one of these drinks is the best. But for many of us, we really just can’t tell the differences between them.

Don’t worry though, by the time you’ve finished this article, you’ll know everything there is to know about both of them!

So, now that we know that they are not the same beverage, let’s delve in a little deeper and discover what determining factors make these drinks quite different.

Cognac Vs Whisky – Who Wins?

There’s no clear-cut way to answer this question. Everyone has differing opinions since it really just comes down to your personal taste preferences. It’s kind of the same as asking what ice cream flavor is best. Whichever you enjoy the most, I suppose.

Personally, I prefer a whisky as I believe it has a little more variety in terms of flavor. But that’s just me.

Both have unique and delicious flavors, can be served neat or in crazy cocktail combinations, and both can be enjoyed as the perfect after-meal treat. So, really they have quite equal ranks.

I suppose you’ll just have to try them both and make your own final verdict.

The Difference In Production

First of all, I’ll quickly describe how the two are similar. Each is made from a fermented mash which then goes on to be distilled and then aged. But that is really where their similarities end.

They have the same very basic process, yes, but there are also some additional differences along the way too that separate them apart.

• Cognac is only ever made with white wine grapes whereas whisky is typically made with some kind of grain. This can be corn, rye, wheat, and barely amongst others.
• Cognac must always be distilled twice whereas whisky is usually distilled 2-3 times.
• Cognac is distilled in copper pots and then aged for a minimum of two years. Whisky on the other hand can be distilled in either pot or column stills. Whisky maturation is often dependent on the region in which it is produced.

Cognac & Whisky Flavor Profiles

While people do often confuse cognac and whisky, their flavor profiles are also often not all that similar. And once you know what you’re looking for, the difference in taste definitely becomes more apparent.

Cognac tends to be a smooth and fruity drink that often has hints of vanilla while whisky can have a much wider flavor profile. Sometimes whisky will be sweet, other times smoky. Spicy or caramel undertones are much more common in the whisky too.

When it comes to the smell and taste of your beverages, cognac tends to have a much fruitier and more floral aroma. Whisky, on the other hand, tends to be much smokier or woodier in its scent.

Popular Brands

Now that you know a little more about cognac and whisky, you may be wondering which brands are the best. After all, if you’re going to test them both out, you might as well get yourself a decent bottle.

Well, let’s take a look at some of the mainstream cognac and whisky brands.

Cognac

• Louis XIII
• D’USSE
• Martell
• Pierre Ferrand
• Hine
• Grand Marnier
• Remy Martin
• Hennessy

Whisky

• The Macallan
• Johnnie Walker
• Glenfiddich
• Laphroaig
• The Balvenie
• Tobermory Distillery
• Bunnahabhain
• Glen Moray

Why Are There More Whisky Brands Than Cognac Brands?

Take a stroll around any liquor store and you’ll probably notice that there are a lot more whiskies to choose from than there is cognac. Why? Does this solve the answer of which is better?

Not really.

You see, there are plenty of regions all across the globe that can produce whisky. There’s whisky from the US, whisky from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, you name it. There are plenty of places producing whisky.

Cognac, on the other hand, can literally only be produced in the Cognac region of France. So, as you can imagine not as many people can get in on the action.

Therefore, when you walk into a liquor store, you’re going to see whiskeys that have been produced from here, there, and everywhere. Since there literally isn’t all that much space for new cognac brands, since they can’t be produced anywhere else, there’s less to choose from.

Sales For Cognac & Whisky

If you’re still hoping for a clear winner between the two beverages, then their collective sales might be a good indicator. Both beverages are very popular across the globe.

It would seem that cognac is preferred in Europe and North America while Asia is certainly in favor of a good glass of whisky.

For 2018, global sales saw cognac reach a whopping 7.5 billion dollars. Pretty impressive, and yet whisky surpassed that huge number reaching a total of 10.4 billion dollars. In terms of growth in the same year, premium sales of cognac increased by 26% while premium whisky grew by just 8%.

So, I guess while proving that both are very popular, it does keep the drinks on fairly equal footing.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, from reading this article, I have been able to highlight the main differences between cognac and whisky. We have learned that they are not the same drink despite similar basic processes. They have different distillation processes, aging processes, and flavor profiles.

Unfortunately, in terms of which one is best, I can’t help you out too much there. They have fairly similar sales and are equally popular. And as we have learned, the only reason that there are more whiskies available is that there are more options as to where to produce the beverage.

I guess if you want to know which one is better, you’ll just have to do a taste test!