The bottle that needs no introduction (but gets one anyway)
Courvoisier VS is the kind of cognac that's been on British back-bars for so long it barely registers anymore. You've seen it. You've probably drunk it at someone's parents' house, poured from a bottle that's been sitting there since 2009. And yet, here it is again, catching community heat on the deals boards.
So. Is it any good?
Honestly, for what it is, yes. The VS (Very Special, if you care) is the youngest expression in the range, aged at least two years in oak. You get dried fruit, a bit of vanilla, gentle oak, and a warmth that doesn't burn. Nothing complex. Nothing that'll make you stop mid-sip and stare at the ceiling. But it's smooth enough to sip neat and does something useful in a brandy Alexander or a simple mix with ginger ale.
Who this is actually for
If you're expecting anything approaching a premium sipping experience, look at the XO instead. This one's for:
- Cocktails where cognac adds backbone without dominating
- A decent house brandy for when guests ask
- Anyone new to cognac who doesn't want to spend big first
My honest reservation: at full price it's fine but not exciting. The sweet spot is catching it on offer, which is exactly what's happened here. At around twenty quid for 70cl, it's pretty solid value for what you're getting.
The verdict
Not a revelation. Not something to bore your mates about. Just a reliable, well-made cognac that earns its place. If you've been meaning to have a bottle in the house, now's a decent moment.
