What store in Atlanta or the Southeast has an extensive selection of nicer cognacs aside from the big four or five brands?
January 5, 2010 9:19 AM Subscribe
Which liquor store or wine shop in Atlanta has an extensive selection of nicer cognacs that aren't from the big four or five houses and has staff knowledgeable about them? Short of that, how about the Southeast? Short of that, where?
I'm trying to explore the world of cognac outside of the major brands but so far can't find a store that stocks much more than the various grades of Remy Martin, Martell, Hennessy, and Courvoisier, or has knowledgeable or experienced staff to make recommendations. Do you know of such a place in Atlanta, or failing that, nearby states? Does anyone really specialize in it? Out of the hundreds of brands made, does anyone around here have even, say, a couple dozen nice ones and staff that can talk about them?
I've tried numerous stores here, including the usual top recommendations of Green's, Tower, Toco Giant, Mac's in Midtown, Peachtree Road Liquor, and Pearson's - the nice wine shop in Buckhead. Pearson's looks like it should be the best based on the amount of dedicated shelf space, the lack of lower end stuff, and a few tantalizingly nice bottles, but those shelves have been mostly depopulated since before Thanksgiving. Green's on Buford Hwy near Lenox has been the best so far, with a handful of super nice ones way above my price range and a handful of very nice non-majors in the $60-140 range, most of which I've tried. Typically places will just have the big four, sometimes some mid-grade Kelt, Camus, Pierre Ferrand, or Hine, and then some $20 Meukow and some cheezy novelty stuff or rapper brands, though I've been happy to find some Delamain and some Germain-Robin brandy.
I understand that the industry was fading prior to its hip hop-induced renaissance, which focuses on name dropping the major brands, so I understand the scant supply of other labels. But somebody's drinking all the nice stuff outside of the cognac n' coke club scene. Where do they shop? I hear NY and LA are the ideal places, but I'm unlikely to go there anytime soon. I don't want to order online without a live person to speak with about options and characteristics. I'd rather avoid exploring at upscale bars given the absurd prices for single glasses and given that it can take a number of tries before you get to know a congnac - I'd rather get whole bottles.
Do you know of such a place in this area?
I'm trying to explore the world of cognac outside of the major brands but so far can't find a store that stocks much more than the various grades of Remy Martin, Martell, Hennessy, and Courvoisier, or has knowledgeable or experienced staff to make recommendations. Do you know of such a place in Atlanta, or failing that, nearby states? Does anyone really specialize in it? Out of the hundreds of brands made, does anyone around here have even, say, a couple dozen nice ones and staff that can talk about them?
I've tried numerous stores here, including the usual top recommendations of Green's, Tower, Toco Giant, Mac's in Midtown, Peachtree Road Liquor, and Pearson's - the nice wine shop in Buckhead. Pearson's looks like it should be the best based on the amount of dedicated shelf space, the lack of lower end stuff, and a few tantalizingly nice bottles, but those shelves have been mostly depopulated since before Thanksgiving. Green's on Buford Hwy near Lenox has been the best so far, with a handful of super nice ones way above my price range and a handful of very nice non-majors in the $60-140 range, most of which I've tried. Typically places will just have the big four, sometimes some mid-grade Kelt, Camus, Pierre Ferrand, or Hine, and then some $20 Meukow and some cheezy novelty stuff or rapper brands, though I've been happy to find some Delamain and some Germain-Robin brandy.
I understand that the industry was fading prior to its hip hop-induced renaissance, which focuses on name dropping the major brands, so I understand the scant supply of other labels. But somebody's drinking all the nice stuff outside of the cognac n' coke club scene. Where do they shop? I hear NY and LA are the ideal places, but I'm unlikely to go there anytime soon. I don't want to order online without a live person to speak with about options and characteristics. I'd rather avoid exploring at upscale bars given the absurd prices for single glasses and given that it can take a number of tries before you get to know a congnac - I'd rather get whole bottles.
Do you know of such a place in this area?
Have you checked at Total Wine? Closest one to downtown is in the Perimeter area. They started opening them right about the time we left Atlanta (dammit). Biggest selection of just about everything I've ever seen.
posted by jquinby at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by jquinby at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2010
For selection, you might try calling Total Wine in Kennesaw or Alpharetta. The Perimeter location no longer carries liquor (some crazy GA liquor licensing law) When they did, they had a huge selection of liquor. But, I can't answer to cognac specifically.
I'm not really sure how knowledgeable the staff is as I've never asked them questions.
posted by studentbaker at 9:43 AM on January 5, 2010
I'm not really sure how knowledgeable the staff is as I've never asked them questions.
posted by studentbaker at 9:43 AM on January 5, 2010
Contact Empire Distributors and ask them who their best cognac customers are. Wholesalers have very good information on the liquor market in their territory and are usually glad to share it with consumers.
posted by something something at 9:51 AM on January 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by something something at 9:51 AM on January 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
Definitely contact the distributors. My guess is that Pearson's will have the cream of the crop once they restock, but Hinton's in Alpharetta lists Delamain, Pierre Ferrand Des Anges and also some armagnacs, which sends all the right signals.
If you have to go further afield, you might have luck with the Green's in Greenville, SC, which is quite a trek, but seems to have a slightly broader stock than the ATL ones. (Even further is the Frugal McDoogal in Fort Mill, SC, just south of Charlotte.)
posted by holgate at 10:22 AM on January 5, 2010
If you have to go further afield, you might have luck with the Green's in Greenville, SC, which is quite a trek, but seems to have a slightly broader stock than the ATL ones. (Even further is the Frugal McDoogal in Fort Mill, SC, just south of Charlotte.)
posted by holgate at 10:22 AM on January 5, 2010
It's not local to you, but my local liquor store is excellent, has a good selection, gives great advice, and delivers.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:05 PM on January 5, 2010
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:05 PM on January 5, 2010
I just went to Total Wine in Kennesaw the other day and almost had an orgasm perusing their selection of craft beers and so, needless to say, didn't pay much attention to what they had in the way of liquors.
The Brickstore Pub in Decatur is known more for their beer selection, but they also have a big selection of whiskeys (not sure about cognac, though) at the Belgian bar upstairs and I'm willing to bet that the bartenders would be happy to help you out and point you in the right direction.
posted by fantastico at 2:14 PM on January 5, 2010
The Brickstore Pub in Decatur is known more for their beer selection, but they also have a big selection of whiskeys (not sure about cognac, though) at the Belgian bar upstairs and I'm willing to bet that the bartenders would be happy to help you out and point you in the right direction.
posted by fantastico at 2:14 PM on January 5, 2010
How about Frugal MacDoogal in Nashville? 3+ hours is a bit too much for me to drive for booze, but maybe not you :)
posted by jckll at 9:02 AM on January 6, 2010
posted by jckll at 9:02 AM on January 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by functionequalsform at 9:34 AM on January 5, 2010