A few drops of water can help coax out the subtler vanilla and honeysuckle notes

followed by softer notes of vanilla and a faint wisp of oak from the whisky base

while Brown Jug sits at 34 proof and differentiates itself with Vermont maple syrup

rather than synthetic flavorings

and the consistent 90-plus-point critical scores across multiple publications and vintages suggest strong value relative to its category

Merlet VSOP 750ML burgundy A few drops of waterMerlet VSOP 750ML is a French cognac blending Fins Bois and Grande Champagne eaux de vie, bottled at 40% ABV. This expression earned a Gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, reflecting the depth of craft behind a family distillery that spent over 160 years producing cognac for major houses before releasing spirits under its own name. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) Origin: Cognac,