Newly arrived today. I’ll be sampling the Arran Sauternes cask finish this evening, but will likely wait until I’ve finished the Wee Beastie prior to cracking open t’ Arran Machrie Moor cask strength, as I already have a few peated expressions on the go currently. Smacking my lips in anticipation for tonight, as I’ll be sampling two new to me Drams.
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As far as cognac is concerned, don’t ever buy a brand you have seen at the airport or the supermarket (probably the best known brands). As said, most cost is for marketing and lifestyle.
As a rule of thumb, the origin of the grapes determines the quality of the destillate (and yes, also the type of grape). The best areas are Grande Champagne, then Petit Champagne. You might wonder, but these names have nothing to do with that white sparkling wine, very confusing indeed.
Montifaud is a popular and well known brand of the ‘unknown’ or ‘not widely known’ brands. >For a good reason. In e.g. NL, most specialty shops have Montifaud. They offer great value for money that easily beats any of the big brands by taste or VFM.
Another left field choice is Paul Beau Hors d’Age, similar priced as Montifaud XO, but from Grande Champagne and in my memory very much more impressive. Then you have the smallest of the big houses, Delamain Vesper, or the traditional Ragnaud Sabourin Fontvieille. These two come from Grande Champagne as well.
Actually, these are my 3 favourite cognacs, hope you might get a chance to try them.
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I think I mentioned this one before, another great rum with excellent VFM (GBP 37-40):
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Excellent post Rudy and very helpful.
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The Paul Beau is great value for the quality @68rednose
I have a couple of fingers left…
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No experiences with armagnacs, but I know these can be great too.
I’ll just stick with whisky, cognac and rum, as I’m not supposed to consume too much due to health issues…
And no, not Korsakov, can’t remember anymore why.
I’ll get me coat when it comes to mind where I put it…
I was just comparing some prices, the Vesper and Fontvieille are at MoM around GBP 150 
Here in Europe these can be found around EUR 120 ish…
Milanese G&T, yonks since I mixed up one of these, I normally garnish these with a slice of lime, but only had lemons in, so needs must, at least I had some fresh lime juice to dash in as per my usual custom.
Bloomin’ delicious start to the evening!!
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Armagnac is better value than Cognac - an XO Armagnac can cost half as much as an XO Cognac and taste just as good.
Calvados can offer even better value.
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I’ve not found that but perhaps I’m not drinking the right Armagnac 
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This is nice:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007N2FGIO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Genuine question, as I have no idea or knowledge of this. Why would Armagnac be cheaper, for a good bottle, than Cognac. Is it the time aged?
I think it’s just a less well-known brand. Everyone knows Cognac, Armangac not so much.
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I think you meant to say different drink rather than brand, the process for both is quite different.
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Perhaps brand is the wrong word. Both are grape brandies, but the Cognac
region is much better known and the famous grape brandies are all Cognacs.
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I think Armagnac tends to use a patented continuous distillation process.