Brandy

Distilled fruit — most often grapes (wine, essentially, distilled and aged), though apples, pears and cherries are used too. Barrel aging gives it the amber color and warm, rich character.

Cognac is one type of brandy, made only in France's Cognac region under strict rules. Brandy is the whole family — including Armagnac from France, Spanish brandy, Italian grappa, South American pisco, and American apple brandy.

Most brandy is technically dry — the sweetness people taste comes from fruit and barrel aging, not added sugar. Flavored and cream brandies are the exception.

Neat in a snifter is traditional, letting hand warmth open up the aromas. It's also excellent on the rocks, in coffee, or as the base of classics like the sidecar and brandy Alexander.