What is the difference between Brandy, Cognac, Armagnac, and Calvados?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Brandy is a generic term referring to many distilled spirits of differing origins that rely on fruits as their base raw material. Cognac, Armagnac and Calvados are controlled denominations from defined regions in France regulated by an appellation d'origine controlee (AOC). Cognac and Armagnac both originate with grape wines which are distilled and aged in cask for varying periods. The quality of these brandies ranges from good commercial to extraordinary. Calvados is distilled primarily from the cider of apples, but pears are also used to varying degrees. Calvados lacks the worldwide cachet of Cognac but can be a superb drink. Within each of these AOC spirits, there are further distinctions relating to subdistricts and length of aging. As a general rule, all brandies become smoother and more complex the longer they are matured in wood.
