Updated April 2026.
Cognac is grape brandy from the Cognac AOC. Bourbon is a US whiskey class — at least 51% corn, new charred oak. They are not two proofs of one spirit. US Courvoisier V.S and typical Hennessy V.S bottles are 40% on control-board / trade tiles (brand pages often omit ABV). Many bourbon flagships are 40% or 45%. A 1.5-ounce 40% pour is one NIAAA drink; 45% is 1.13.
V.S / V.S.O.P / X.O are BNIC age grades on the youngest eau-de-vie (X.O ≥10 years since 2018), not tasting scores. Related: cognac vs brandy, cognac vs whiskey, bourbon vs whiskey.
Grape vs grain
| Cognac | Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Grape brandy, Cognac AOC | US whiskey, ≥51% corn |
| Oak | French oak; BNIC age words | New charred oak |
| Typical US ABV | 40% on many VS bottles — read the neck | 40–45% common; barrel proof exists |
| 1.5 oz at 40% | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1.5 oz at 45% | — | 1.13 |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four pours are four drinks. NIAAA binge pattern is a health line, not a target. No 2026 MSRP. Pour math: Cognac drinks.
Sources
- BNIC age grades. TTB 27 CFR 5.145 brandy; 5.143 bourbon.
- US VS 40% from control-board / trade tiles (prior Courvoisier/Hennessy flags). Brand pages often omit ABV.
- NIAAA December 2025.
- (27 CFR 5.143)