What does Cognac smell like?
Swirl cognac in a balloon glass: the alcohol rises first. Then come raisin and plum, vanilla from the wood and a touch of spice. In perfume the cognac note keeps that fruit and wood. The boozy effect stays light. It is less sweet than rum and fruitier than whisky. On skin it melts into vanilla, tonka and sandalwood for a warm base.
Origin and production
Cognac is a protected appellation covering parts of the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions. White wine is distilled twice in a Charentais copper still, then the spirit ages in oak. Perfumery uses cognac oil, distilled from wine lees, with a fruity and winey profile. Many cognac notes, though, are accords built from fruity esters and woody notes.
How perfumers use it
Cognac warms up a woody scent or spices up an oriental. It likes cinnamon, tonka, oak and praline. By Kilian Angels' Share (2020) is named after the angels' share, the spirit that evaporates from the casks during ageing. It opens on cognac and cinnamon before a praline and vanilla base. Azzaro pour Homme Intense (2015) puts it at the top of a woody fougère. Tom Ford Bitter Peach (2020) places it in the heart next to rum.
How to wear it
Cognac is a winter and evening note. Angels' Share is strong and sweet: one or two sprays on a sweater are plenty, and it lasts until the next day on wool.