Rémy Martin Tercet Cognac

This is a bright, easygoing Cognac. Lime and mint lead, fresh enough to keep things lively, while caramel and vanilla fill in underneath and round off the edges. There is a faint aged rum spice on the finish that lingers longer than you might expect from something this approachable.

Seven years in ex-bourbon barrels account for much of that sweetness and the soft, gentle weight on the tongue. At 70 proof (35% ABV), it drinks lighter than most Cognac, which makes it comfortable neat and forgiving in a highball or a sour where the citrus has room to show.

A 750 mL bottle for the shelf you actually reach for on a weeknight rather than the one you save. Serve it cool, over a single large cube, and the mint stays clear while the caramel settles in behind it.