“Cognac was indeed the original mixing spirit. We see it in a lot of the early cocktail books that were first written,” says Mixology Ambassador Brian Stewart.

And yet, many people still think of cognac strictly as an after-dinner drink, or maybe not too much at all. As it turns out, it’s an incredibly versatile spirit that you might want to start incorporating into your repertoire. During this year’s Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier series of cocktail festivals held every year in New Orleans, Mixology Ambassadors Brian Stewart and Tomas Delos Reyes talked to us about all things cognac: from its prevalence in early cocktail books, to its distinct flavor palate, to the meals it pairs with best (hint: there are a lot more than you might think).

Watch the video above to learn about your new favorite spirit.

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