Brandy makes a wonderful winter sipper and a great way to relax after a holiday meal. Brandy and Cognac also star in a number of classic and contemporary cocktails. We consulted the pros for some guidance on the best brandies today.

The following notes and ratings come from the most recent judging of the New York International Spirits Competition. Judges for the NYISC are trade professionals — retailers, bartenders, buyers, etc. — who blind taste products based on price tiers. These ratings and reviews recognize spirits that represent both quality and value.

Double Gold Medal

A.E. Dor No 8 (A.E. Dor)

A Grande Champagne Cognac that is well balanced for a high-proof expression bottled at 47% and aged about 50 years. It has a nose of intense vanilla, dried fruits and leather with light spice. As it lies on the tongue, it is surprisingly less chewy/woody than expected after all its years in a barrel, with dried fruit, dark sugars with hints of vanilla still present in the mouth. The finish is properly long, with hints of spice and leather coating the throat.

A.E. Dor XO (A.E. Dor)

Aging for around 25 years gives it its deep mahogany color. The nose has dried fruit, dark chocolate, hints of tobacco and honey. When in the mouth, it has a smooth layering on the tongue of dried citrus fruits, nuttiness and oak from its time in the barrel. The finish is wonderfully long with dried fruit riding the wave down.

Black Bottle XO Brandy (Vok Beverages)

One of the best brandies from Australia. Raise the glass to the light to see the dark golden brown hue liquid aged up to 40 years. Vanilla, plum, chocolate and dried fruit are on the nose. A silky layer in the mouth of raisin, fig, nutmeg and oakiness. The finish is balanced and long, with a medley of vanilla, chocolate, leather and oak that is meant to be savored.

Courvoisier XO Royale (Campari Group)

An amber color showing its age as an XO with a nose of ripe fruit including cherries, plums and hints of spiced vanilla. It lies wonderfully in the mouth with a fine medley of dark fruits, honey, vanilla and hints of oak from its time in the cask. The finish is long as expected, with fruit, honey, light spice and oakiness softly cascading down your throat.

Courvoisier VSOP (Campari Group)

Blended and aged up to 12 years with a nose that is floral, as well as hints of peach, oak and honey. Peach notes along with dark brown sugar and oak gently coat the mouth. The finish is long for a VSOP Cognac, with honey and dried fruit layered on top. A good segway for new Cognac drinkers.

Delamin XXO Decanter (Delamin)

A Grande Champagne Cognac utilizing the greatest grape to used for Cognac. Its nose has oak, citrus zest and candied raisins. When in the mouth, vanilla and dried fruit, including raisins, lie subtly on the tongue. The finish is lingering with continued citrus zest and hints of almond making it overall a delicious Cognac experience.

Delamin Pleiade Domaine La Rambaudie (Delamin)

A Grande Champagne Cognac with a nose of aromatic layers of grape, fresh plum and floral bouquet. A silky texture of pear, light spice, vanilla and dry oak. The finish continues with light spice and dried fruit. A truly lovely Grande Champagne to be enjoyed.

D’Usse VSOP (Bacardi)

A nice amber hue for a VSOP. The nose has a fine medley of dried fruits, cinnamon and light spice rising up from the glass. When in the mouth, flavors of raisins, apricot, cinnamon and light spice lie softly on the tongue. The finish is long but not syrupy, with dried fruits on the end. Meant to be treasured.

Larressingle XO Armagnac (Mandracore)

A blend of Armagnacs aged10-plus years and beyond the normal XO age statement. Dried plums, figs and dark spice are on the nose. The dark fruit continues in the mouth, along with smoke and dashes of vanilla. A long, classic Armagnac XO finish that has vanilla and dark nuts.

Gold Medal

Jules Gautret XO (UniCognac)

Dark amber liquid representing its 10-plus years in the casks. The nose has dried fruits, vanilla, hints of citrus and almonds. It is a well-balanced medley on the tongue, with dark and citrus fruits, oakiness, vanilla and honey. A long elegant finish with oak, tobacco and dried fruit on top of the wave.

Honor Cognac Select Reserve (Birkedal Hartmann)

The nose has oakiness and dried fruit, along with a mix of orange scents. It lies well in the mouth, as it is a smooth combination of dried fruit, honey and light spice. The finish is clean and light, with hints of chocolate and spice. Best drank neat.

Branson Cognac Flask (Sire Spirits)

A VS Cognac with a golden light brown color from its limited time in the cask. The nose citrus notes along with hints of tobacco and floral notes. It has a smooth, light presence in the mouth, with apple, raisin, vanilla and oak on the tongue. The finish is light and not syrupy, with hints of fruit. Good to drink neat and or a cocktail base.

Courvoisier VS (Campari Group)

A VS Cognac with a golden hue. The aromas coming up from the glass include fresh-picked apples and pears. The light fruitiness is in the mouth, along with hints of oak, spice and caramel. The finish is smooth and light, as expected with a VS, along with soft hints of vanilla and flowers. A good intro to Cognac for the first timer.

D’Usse XO (Bacardi)

XO deep amber coloring with a full nose of dried fruits, nutmeg and cinnamon. Dark chocolate, toasted nuts and hints of oak and tobacco lie fully in the mouth. The finish is long with dark sweetness and toastiness to the end.

Cardinal du Four 21 Rebellion (Cardinal du Four)

Deep brown color in the glass for its 21-plus years in the cask. The nose is full of spice from nutmeg to cinnamon along with wisps of vanilla. Silky and balanced on the tongue with spice, gingerbread, nutmeg and a proper inclusion of oakiness. The finish is long, with spice and dried fruit lasting to the end.

Larresingle Napoleon Armagnac (Mandracore)

Aged seven-plus years in Monlezun oak casks to give it its amber orange coloring. The nose is aromatic, with plum, vanilla, fig and cooking spice present. The Armagnac is definitely present in the mouth: It is full bodied with raisin, figs, peppery spice with light hints of leather and oak. The finish is long and steady, with spice and honey to make it a wonderful after-dinner drink.

Ronald Isley Liquid Gold XO Contagious XO Brandy (Ronald Isley Liquid Gold)

Distilled in New York and aged in French white oak barrels, giving it a rich amber color. The nose has the farms of New York in it, with orchard fruit including carmelized apples and hints of dark plum. It is a smooth liquid: It’s five times distilled with pear, raisin, vanilla and cooking spice on the edge of the tongue. The finish is long with fruit and spice to the end. Sip it neat or use it in a cocktail that deserves its attention.

Nashoba Valley Spirits Farmhouse Apple Brandy (Nashoba Valley Spirits)

A five-year-old brandy distilled from apples grown onsite at the orchard/winery. Apples, fresh citrus and herbs are on the nose. When in the mouth, it is present but not syrupy, with apple, spice and oak from its time in the barrel. The finish is clean and crisp with apple-forward focus and hints of vanilla. To be consumed neat and or chilled.

Silver Medal

Ansac Cognac VS (UniCognac)

A deep amber color for a VS Cognac. The nose has toasted nuts, dried fruit and hints of fresh citrus. It is a light body Cognac with hints of citrus, nuts, light spice and fresh fruit. The finish is light and a good base for cocktails and introduction to those interested in Cognac.

Old House Estate Brandy XO (Old House Vineyards)

Distilled with grapes grown at the Virginia winery. The nose has caramel, vanilla and toasted oak. It is a smooth, finely layered spirit in the mouth, with figs, peaches, burnt sugar and light spice. A creamy finish with vanilla on top. Great to drink neat and especially with dessert.

Want more spirits reviews? Check out the recent ratings for bourbon and tequila.