Conjure Cognac 750ML is a French VS cognac bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) that blends eaux-de-vie aged up to 45 years into its final cuvée. Scored 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and 95 points by The Spirits Magazine, it outperformed several well-known VSOP and XO expressions in blind tastings, earning a Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Cognac, France | VS Classification (with aged eaux-de-vie up to 45 years) | Producer: Birkedal HartmannProduction & HeritageConjure is produced by the Birkedal Hartmann cognac house, drawing eaux-de-vie from three of Cognac's premier crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Borderies. The spirit is distilled from ugni blanc grapes using traditional methods that include distillation on wine lees, with the second distillation lasting a full 12 hours under the supervision of the Master Distiller. What sets Conjure apart from virtually every other VS-classified cognac is the inclusion of much older eaux-de-vie—some aged up to 45 years—blended into the final product, delivering a depth and complexity typically reserved for XO-level bottlings at a fraction of the cost.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with bold fruit—ripe apple and orange peel—before giving way to deeper layers of hazelnut, cocoa, and cedarwood. A subtle thread of vanilla ties the bouquet together.Taste: On entry, the palate registers a pleasant sweetness driven by honey and caramel. The mid-palate develops into darker territory with bitter almond, dark chocolate, and cinnamon, while dried apricot and raisin fruit add dimension. Grapey tannins and nutmeg emerge toward the peak, revealing the influence of those older eaux-de-vie in the blend.Finish: The finish is long and warming, anchored by toasted oak, lingering caramel, and a faint tar-like bitterness that adds gravitas. Cedarwood and dried fruit echo through the close.How to Drink ConjureGiven the aged components in the blend, Conjure rewards sipping neat in a tulip glass at room temperature; a few drops of water can open up the chocolate and fruit aromatics further. It also performs well in cocktails: try it in a Sidecar, where its honey-caramel sweetness balances Cointreau and lemon; a Vieux Carré, where the cedarwood and tannin structure stand up to rye and sweet vermouth; or a Between the Sheets, where its dark chocolate and orange notes complement light rum and triple sec.Best For Introducing a curious whiskey drinker to cognac's complexity After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar Building a home bar with spirits that punch above their price tier Gifting someone who appreciates under-the-radar, critically acclaimed bottles Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Conjure Cognac taste like? Conjure delivers a sweet, rich profile led by honey, caramel, and dark chocolate, balanced by bitter almond, cedarwood, and dried stone fruit. It finishes long with toasted oak and warming spice.How does Conjure Cognac compare to Rémy Martin VSOP? Both are blended from multiple crus in the Cognac region, but Conjure incorporates eaux-de-vie aged up to 45 years despite its VS classification, giving it unusual depth. Rémy Martin VSOP draws exclusively from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne and carries a VSOP age statement, yet Conjure scored 92 from Wine Enthusiast—two points above Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal's 90.Is Conjure Cognac good for sipping neat? Yes—the blend of older eaux-de-vie gives it the complexity and long finish typically needed for neat drinking. It is smooth enough to enjoy without mixers while still offering layered flavor development in the glass.Where is Conjure Cognac made? Conjure is produced by Birkedal Hartmann in the Cognac region of southwestern France. Its eaux-de-vie are sourced from three designated crus: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, and Borderies.What foods pair well with Conjure Cognac? Dark chocolate truffles complement its cocoa and almond notes; aged Comté cheese mirrors its nutty depth; crème brûlée echoes the caramel sweetness; roasted duck with dried fruit sauce bridges the apricot and raisin character; and toasted almond biscotti reinforces the nutty, cedarwood finish.What sizes does Conjure Cognac come in? The standard bottle is 750ML, which is the most widely available format.Is Conjure Cognac worth the price? Conjure positions as a VS-level cognac in price but delivers complexity closer to VSOP or even XO territory thanks to blending components aged up to 45 years. Its 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition reinforce strong value within the category.Why Conjure?The defining fact about Conjure is the gap between its label and its liquid: classified as a VS, it contains eaux-de-vie aged up to 45 years, a blending strategy almost unheard of at this tier. That approach earned it a 95-point score from The Spirits Magazine and a Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In Wine Enthusiast's tasting, it scored 92 points—ahead of Camus XO Elegance, Landy VSOP, and Courvoisier Exclusif. For drinkers seeking genuine complexity from Cognac's finest crus without reaching for a premium-priced XO, Conjure remains one of the most compelling and underappreciated options on the shelf.
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