Don't French kiss your cognac immediately

I've always harboured some prejudice against cognac and have mostly used it as flavouring in cakes and desserts because I've found it too overpowering to enjoy on its own. After the Hennessy cognac event in the Ballymaloe Grainstore last Thursday I am, however, a convert. All that was needed was for someone with insight and understanding to point me in the right direction.

You should ease into your cognac and approach it slowly, little by little. First dip your nose into the glass to identify the aroma. You can do this twice. Then let the tip of your tongue get a first taste before you French kiss the cognac for full impact. It will be smooth and flavoursome, a true revelation.

Also - the founder of the house of Hennessy was Richard Hennessy, from county Cork, Ireland. Think about this the next time you bury your nose in a snifter of Hennessy.

Marc Boisonnet from Hennessy - Marc Boisonnet talade långt
och länge om historien, framställning och lagring av Hennessy

No doubt about which two I preferred, perfect with the little nibbles
provided - Den första och den tredje var utsökta tillsammans med
smakbitarna man bjöd på