When fall and cooler weather arrive we look for something special to sip by the fire; this season we'll be reaching for a bottle of fine Cognac from Pierre Ferrand. Ferrand, considered "Premier Cru du Cognac", is lauded as a Grande Champagne specialist and is one of only a handful of Cognac houses in France that specializes in old Cognacs from the coveted Grande Champagne region that are not blended with lesser varieties. It is also quite a small house by most standards; as Ferrand President and Owner Alexandre Gabriel notes, "We are the jewelers of Cognac. It takes us a year to produce what the biggest company produces in a day." A core belief at Ferrand is the that to produce an exceptional Cognac you must first create an exceptional wine. To that end, Cognac Ferrand is perhaps the only house that has a full-time oenologist trained in making premium wine in Bordeaux.

Cognac Ferrand is very vested in the vines and the vineyards and the wines used in the distillation of its Cognac come from the heart of the Grande Champagne, long considered the finest growing area. "To produce an exceptional Cognac, we treasure our grapes and treat the vineyard as a great vintner would," Gabriel says. "Then we distill it right, age it well and blend it with precision. Only then are we ready to bottle it. Quality cannot be rushed." The award-winning result is a complex, yet subtle, aromatic spirit reflecting a unique history and great attention to every detail of production. Pierre Ferrand Cognac is double distilled in small copper pot stills according to the traditional Cognac method – one cask at a time. It takes them 12 hours to produce just one cask with each pot still. At Ferrand's estate, dating from 1776, it then takes several years for the Cognac to reach perfection in Limousin oak barrels.



Ferrand (which also makes Citadelle Gin in the off season) offers a wide variety of bottlings, including Ambre, Reserve, Reserve des Dieux, Selection des Anges, Abel, Ancestrale and the Collection Privée Vintages, limited edition rare Cognacs of outstanding quality, including the 1914, 1970, 1971 and 1973. They recently unveiled the Pierre Ferrand Vintage 1972 Cask Strength Cognac, one of the only cask strength Cognacs available in the United States, which sells for $600 a bottle. Only two casks of this precious Cognac remained at the historic Ferrand estate, enough to fill a mere 600 bottles. We highly suggested getting hold of one if you can.

The famed House of Rémy Martin, founded all the way back in 1724, has a new and unique culinary journey in the heart of Cognac, France. The great gastronomic tour, part of the House's Les Rendez-Vous Rémy Martin, focuses on Louis XIII, the jewel of Rémy's cellar and the most celebrated cognac in the world, as well as the birthplace of cognac itself. The day-long Louis XIII Experience gives visitors access to the "most coveted secrets and treasures" of the renowned cognac house, centered on a private tour through Le Grollet, the Rémy Martin family's historic estate and private cellar.

Guests will experience elite tastings of the prized Grande Champagne Cognac along with a private lunch and dinner prepared by the House of Rémy Martin's Executive Chef, Philippe Saint Romas, in either the historic distillery or a private dining room. Prior to joining Rémy Martin, Saint Romas worked in world-renowned kitchens including Paris' Michelin-starred Senderens Les Ambassadeurs in the Hôtel de Crillon as well as with Alain Ducasse. Visitors also will have the chance to explore the estate's wine pressing hall and view the historic stone stills. Guests are invited to appreciate the cognacs, chosen by cognac's only female Cellar Master, Pierrette Trichet, and offered the chance to learn how to blend cognac to their preference.

Louis XIII rarest reserve cognac was created in 1874 by the House of Rémy Martin. It is described as an "intricate alchemy" blended from 1,200 eaux-de-vie, created from the chalky soils of Grande Champagne, the best growing area of the France's Cognac region. Louis XIII ages up to 100 years in specially crafted oak barrels called tierçons (above). Four generations of cellar masters perfected the unique blend of myrrh, honey, plum, honeysuckle, wood bark, leather and passion fruit that goes in to Louis XIII, making it the most complex and prestigious cognac in the world. The precious elixir comes bottled in a Baccarat crystal decanter with fleur-de-lys stopper.

Mendis is introducing the world's first ultra-premium coconut brandy, and they're not shy about making a big deal about it. Mendis coconut brandy is an all-natural, clear brandy with delicate tones of coconut, vanilla, and chocolate and a "velvety sweet texture." It's recommended neat or on the rocks, but can also be enjoyed mixed.

The very first bottle of this very first coconut brandy is going up for sale in August for $1 million dollars. So if you're the type to collect "firsts," or really love coconut flavored drinks, or just happened to have an extra million or so burning a hole in your pocket, then you might want to hurry and buy that first fancy bottle as it rolls off the product line (well, I'm sure it doesn't actually roll, do you think?) before somebody else does. Or if you're like me, and even if you had it really wouldn't spend that kinda money on a single bottle of anything, you can enter to win the second bottle for free -- along with a luxury trip to go pick it up and personal security to help you hold on to your pricey little prize.

So how much do you think it would go for on eBay?

As in desserts, vanilla in liquor is often desirable simply because it is so versatile. I've seen plenty of vanilla vodkas but the new liqueur Kajmir is a combination of vodka, brandy and vanilla which should be a great addition to holiday cocktails. I haven't tested it out yet but it definitely seems like more of a mixer than a sipper. It retails for around $20.

Epicurious is offering up a couple of tips for the must-have bottles for your bar this holiday season. Spirits are a little more - dare we say it? - spirited and make the season more festive than another bottle of time will. They say that "stocking your liquor cabinet is the gift that keeps on giving" which is at least true until you run out and the party is over. The top picks for the season are:

• Bourbon: sweet and a must-have for eggnog. Try the Wild Turkey line of Kentucky Straight Bourbon (101 Proof, $23)or the A.H. Hirsch 16-Year-Old Pot-Stilled Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($75)
• Scotch: fruity and woody flavors are very Christmasy. Try Glenmorangie 12-Year-Old Burgundy Wood Finish ($50) or the Caol Ila 12-Year-Old ($40)
• Rum: clear, light rums are perfect for mixing into punch. Try Don Q Cristal ($16),or Mount Gay Eclipse ($18).
• Brandy: warming on its own and great in a Sidecar. Rémy Martin Fine Champagne VSOP ($25) or Boulard Pays D'Auge Grand Solage ($35)
• Eau-de-Vie: light and fruity, ideal for accompanying desserts. Forget partridges and stick with pear flavors, like Fassbind Poire William ($49)