Updated April 2026
Brandy is distilled. Wine is fermented. They are different classes. Brandy sits under Table wine sits under Part 4. Cognac is brandy from the delimited region — not a wine type. Official US Hennessy V.S ABV unused. Typical US brandy lots print 40%. Typical US table lots sit near 12%. A 1.5-ounce 40% pour is one NIAAA drink; a 5-ounce 12% wine pour is one.
Related: is Hennessy brandy, cognac mixers, beer vs wine alcohol.
Class vs class
| Language | Drinks |
|---|---|
| Brandy | 1.5 oz at 40% = 1.00 |
| Table wine | 5 oz = 1.00 |
| Cognac | Read the neck |
| Hennessy US V.S | Neck |
Cognac stays 13 on those pages; this comparison stays brandy 12. Pour math: brandy drinks.
Sources
- 27 CFR 5.145 / Part 4. Official US V.S unused. Typical 40% / 12%
- NIAAA December 2025.