I can't offer expert advice, but just on My plebian tastes..
and again, it's Not Expert.. (but i'm an expert skinflint!)
Avoid The Standard Brands. They Suck ..
they're too young, too weak, too hyped, too expensive, and they don't taste good.
for cognac, if you go to anybodys liquor store that has 3 brands and 8 varieties..
skip it. anything affordable tastes bad, anything that tastes good is 3x as expensive (or 5) as it's worth.
ORDER your cognac, order by ratings and recommendations, expect to pay 40-100$ for something drinkable..
and stay with the small independent bottlers, unless you're receiving a present and get to pick the expensive stuff without paying.
Daniel Bouju is *my* late discovery, and while it's on recommendations, they're from my most trusted sources of info. He has 3 vintage aged cognacs under 100$.. a STELLAR reputation, and I know not the first thing about it for a fact..
This is all unsupported (so far) opinion.. so it's a treasure hunt. If I'm correct, about the time the word gets around, you won't be ABLE to buy any..
so please get in line Behind me, tyvm. :whistling: