Sometimes the occasion calls for a $5,000 Cognac and sometimes it doesn’t.
There are treat-yo’self times and there are also what’s-cheaper-but-still-good times. And if you’re anything like this author, the latter comes around way more often than the former. Don’t get us wrong, if you’ve got the dosh, go ham. But if you’re watching your money and the budget ain’t budgeting, we’ve lined up some truly tasty alternatives that aren’t dropping-5gs-on-a bottle-of-Cognac pricey (though, you do you).
We’re not saying the alts are cheap, but if the name of the game is top quality on a stricter budget, then you can’t go wrong with the following picks.
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1. Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Bougie: Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs – $449.99
If you’ve got moolah to spare or been squirrelling money away for a special occasion, Taiitinger’s 2007 vintage is worth the pretty penny. Delicate yet round, this blanc de blancs (made solely from chardonnay) is a pure and exciting expression of the style. On the nose, we get generous notes of white blossom, pears and minerality, with very subtle flecks of aniseed and smoke. To taste, expect lemon and salt up front, with a balanced and mellow middle palate rounding off with that iconic and complex salted-butter finish. Pair it with caviar if you’ve got some, or go for beautiful Wallis Lake oysters.
Alt: Lanson Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV – $119.99
Looking for something extremely delicious that’s not pushing $500? We got you, boo. Lanson’s 100% chardonnay Champagne is also a stroke of genius at about a quarter of the price. Pouring a beautiful gold-straw colour, it has a brilliant bouquet of frangipani, candied citrus and golden pastries. On the palate, expect bright citrus, lively acidity and a long finish of nougat, honey and almond. Scallops in the shell slightly warmed in good chunky butter is a heavenly pairing with this heavenly champers.
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2. Chardonnay
Bougie: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay – $159.99
More like chardonn-hey! (sorry). Leeuwin Estate’s sought-after Art Series is a perfect example of the Margaret River region and how well it does when it comes to chardonnay. This icon wine has nashi pears, fig, white peach and lime on the schnoz at first, then lifted by spicy nutmeg and cinnamon finished off with toasty almonds and sesame. At first sip, it’s firm and pure – tilting toward grapefruit and pear. In the middle palate, we find texture and layers weaving through nougat, anise and cashews. This wine is lengthy, with a fab mineral finish. Screaming out for a food pairing, we reckon a few Balmain bugs or a cheeky li’l prawn cocktail would do the trick.
Alt: Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay – $49.99
If you’re jonesing for a chardy but can’t fork out the dosh for an Art Series drop, don’t worry your pretty head – have a crack at this cracker instead. Tony Bish Heartwood Chardonnay, is a chardy for chardy purists. Whole-bunch pressed, with the free-run juice sent to ferment in French oak barriques for 11 months, this drop from Hawkes Bay in NZ is rich and complex. It’s a wine that makes you think. Texture, creaminess and that trademarked chardy butteryness meet a welcome balance of lively acidity and gingery spice. Because this is a fun wine, it needs a fun pairing – we’re partial to a pumpkin ravioli. Whether you make it yourself is up to you, but we’re salivating already.
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3. Rosé
Bougie: Chateau D’esclans Whispering Angel – $51.99
This wine may not come with the biggest price tag we’ve ever seen, but more than $50 in this economy is no avocado toast either. Made from a mix of grenache, cinsault and rolle (AKA vermentino), this stunning Provence rosé is damn good value for your buck. Bone dry and fresh, expect the familiar strawberries and cream of a traditional rosé, but cut with additional citrus, rose, dill and coriander. An elegant and smooth sipping experience that is ready to drink whenever you are. Rosé famously goes with a plethora of foods, but we recommend pairing this beautiful pink bevvy with some prosciutto and soft cheese.
Alt: Dominique Portet Fontaine Rosé – $25.99
Gang, sometimes life calls for cheeky, juicy wine. And the Dominique Portet Fontaine Rosé from the Yarra Valley is just that – but it’s also many an expert’s weeknight go-to. Similar to its more expensive compadre above, this wine drinks dry yet surprisingly fresh, but generally comes in at about half the price. Expect some savoury raspberry and very light cranberry to taste, as well as brisk yet firm acidity. It is textured and long and right up our alley. Serve it alongside a crispy duck bao and you’re laughing.
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4. Pinot noir
Bougie: Mount Mary Pinot Noir – $209.99
Did anyone say special-occasion red? We got ya. When all that will do is an iconic red wine, this pretty Victorian number is super spesh. Light bodied and dry, Mount Mary’s pinot noir is delicate and timeless – everything you want from a bougie red drop that comes from one of the Yarra Valley’s benchmark wineries. On the nose think cola, sweet spices, some signature pinot noir mossy earthiness and a very intriguing hit of cherry compote. To taste, it is wonderfully juicy, but kept balanced with tight tannins and a surprising acidity. Finishing with beautiful oaky spice and generous splashings of fruit. You can drink it now with some crumbed lamb chops or cellar for a few years to develop. Either way – Mount Mary Pinot Noir: yum.
Alt: Bannockburn Geelong Pinot Noir – $73.99
Love pinot noir but looking for something a touch cheaper? Bannockburn is where it’s at. Spicy, oaky and delicious– this li’l dupe is not so different from our Mount Mary. Both from Victoria, both well integrated and both super yum. Bannockburn’s pinot, however, takes a turn in depth. Where Mount Mary is quite delicate, this wine has a great oomph to it. Big fruit and smoke flavours are immediately present, with lovely subtle hints of twigs and forest floor. Finished and extended by robust, yet silky tannins. Drink next to a big mushroomy risotto, and you’re laughing.
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5. Scotch whisky
Bougie: The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Single Malt Scotch – $630
Now we’re into the heavy-hitters – the dons of the spirit world, if you will. This pretty little Speyside number will set you back an eye-watering amount, but it’s totally worth it if you’re good for it. A perfectly balanced single malt whisky, the renowned Macallan Double Cask 18 is out-of-this-world drinking. That could be because it’s aged for 18 years in both American and European sherry-seasoned oak casks, or it could be the incredible length the distillers go to in order to make such an exquisite spirit. Or perhaps both? To taste, there’s distinct toffee and raisin, alongside delicate vanilla and spice contributing to an overall sweeter and warmer whisky experience. It’s the perfect nightcap by itself or alongside some oily nutty Comté or Gruyere cheese.
Alt: Tamdhu Single Malt 18 year old Whisky – $264.99
The Tamdhu 18 is a famously good dupe for Macallan. Although it’s still a significant investment, its price tag is considerably lower, and comes with a lot of overlap in both flavour and experience. Also from Speyside, you’ll again find ageing in both American and European oloroso sherry-seasoned casks imparting spice, toffee and vanilla flavours, leaving you with an indulgent and fruity, yet sophisticated and complex whisky. Drink neat with a side of fruitcake and, obviously, a hefty helping of cream.
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6. Vodka
Bougie: Chopin Family Reserve Vodka – $327.99
Some people think all vodka is created equally – as a general category, vodka certainly has less overt characteristics than other spirits on this list. And at this price, you’d expect big things from this luxe drop. Let us tell you, big things have been delivered. This is made using a rare variety of young potatoes grown by Chopin themselves, then rested for two years in 50-year-old Polish oak barrels before being hand-bottled. On the nose, expect spice and gentle sweet musk, while on the palate – smooth and earthy. Please don’t stick this beauty in the freezer. It's tempting, we know, but this gem needs to be room temperature to be enjoyed – as God intended, with a bump of premium caviar.
Alt: Belvedere Vodka – $69.95
Belvedere is your bread-and-butter vodka. Still a premium sip, but at a far more approachable cost, it’s always delicious, always silky smooth and always consistent (if that wasn’t already clear). Mix it up in your favourite voddy cocktail or drink it neat. To pair, bypass the actual caviar, and opt for some cream cheese and bright orange fish roe on blinis. The sea-saltiness of the roe and the breadyness of the blinis will mesh perfectly with a cold, neat splash of Belvedere.
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7. Tequila
Bougie: Don Julio Real Extra Añejo – $691
The crown jewel of rare tequila, extra añejo (meaning extra aged) styles are always produced in limited quantities – but now that Don Julio has stopped production of Real Extra Añejo altogether, it’s become something of a collector’s item. Aged for three to five years in American white-oak barrels, it is incredibly smooth drinking. On the nose, it's very rich in agave flavours, however on the palate there is a nutty oakiness, with subtle vanilla, caramel and even chocolate undertones. For this reason, Don Julio Real pairs incredibly well with chocolate desserts or big meaty mushroom or steak fajitas. This is not a mixing-in-a-cocktail type of bevvy – enjoy this beautiful drop neat and take your time.
Alt: El Tesoro Añejo Tequila – $162.99
Not many of us have budgets that stretch to extra añejo, but we might have higher odds of saving up for a really good añejo – and this is an añejo to write home about. Aged for two to three years, it’s oak-y while still retaining its agave complexity. El Tesoro Añejo is a delight. Take a whiff and you’ll get brilliant jasmine, oak and agave aromas. Onthe tongue it’s sweet, peppery and floral – finishing with some exciting but subtle maple sweetness, caramel, vanilla and red-fruit acidity. Sounds good, right? Again, we’re going to be pairing this with some strong, finger lickin’ good flavours. That’s right, get some KFC in ya for a true high/low pairing experience. Preferably some original recipe pieces, but a Zinger would do the trick, too.
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8. Cognac
Bougie: Remy Martin Louis XIII the Classic Decanter – $5,350
Last but not least on our list of expensive liquors is the most expensive of all the bougie picks – a $5,350 Cognac and a fancy Baccarat decanter to boot. Remy Martin has been the gold shiny standard for Cognac since 1874. Containing Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie aged between 40 and 100 years, it is smooth and incredibly balanced. To taste, expect myrrh, cigar box, leather, figs, passionfruit, honey, dried roses, plum and honeysuckle (think anything and everything expensive). Because this drop costs about as much as a used Corolla, we wouldn’t go near it with any food. Sip neat, and appreciate – if you ever get so lucky.
Alt: Martell XO Cognac – $370
This pretty little Cognac is fantastic and great value for money. It’s spicy and rich – think peppercorns, sandalwood and cinnamon – but still with a fab mellow elegance typical of Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie. If you’re looking for a milestone birthday gift, we can’t think of anything better (though you’ll still want a few people chipping in). Sip it over some rocks or neat paired with a three-cheese cheese plate (any less is a catastrophe). Compared to the Louis XIII, it’s a downright bargain.
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