Brandy Essential Oil (Cognac)

Essential oil distilled from the residue of the brandy distillation in Romania. Arctanders calles it "harshly fruity" as well as green-herbaceous, adn a host of other things.

Product Information

Vitus vinifera

NB: This was previously called Cognac but it's from Romania, not France, and Cognac is protected AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) so we are following the guideline

Steam distilled from the residue of Brandy (nee Cognac) distillation in Romania

The aromatic substances in cognac derive from the fermented yeast fungus as well as the grapes. After fermentation and distillation of the spirits, the residue can be further distilled as the remaining constituents have higher boiling points and do not come over in the actual alcohol distillation. In this sense it's a bit similar to frankincense, in that, after the main distillation (for frankincense, it would be after the oil,) there are enough aromatic and interesting constituents left in the biomass, so that a different process will yield another product. For frankincense, this would be the Boswellic acid family, and for Cognac, the higher boiling esters.

As Arctander says:

The crude cognac oil may be redistilled to yield a very powerful aromatic which represents the maximum concentration of high boiling esters from the cognac yeast precipitate. Cognac oil is a pale yellow or greenish yellow, somewhat oily liquid of intensely strong, almost harsh-fruity, oily-fatty, yet green-herbaceous odor of outstanding tenacity and great diffusive power. The rectified oil is used in flavors and perfumes in trace amounts, to give a "lift" and fresh-fruity, natural notes, for example in liqueurs, fruit flavors, colognes, etc. It blends well with ambrette, bergamot, coriander, galbanum, lavender, linalool, clary sage, styrax, ylang ylang, etc. He also notes that in the alcoholic drink, the odor is mainly masked by the alcohol and if you dilute the cognac with water, the scent of cognac oil becomes stronger.

Cognac

Came back home tired and sad.
Wrapped myself up in a plaid.
Opened a bottle of cognac.
Felt its warmth and a good smack...
Then...I was said
To be seen in that plaid
In three night clubs
And two Irish pubs.

by Larisa Rzhepishevska

This is not really an aromatherapy oil--it's used mainly in perfumery, so that is the only information.

This essential oil is mostly a perfumers oil and it will add a very interesting note. It smells exactly like cognac, quite strong and alcoholic, dry and tart, with a fruity note.  It has a light, transparently green color.

Safety Warning

As with most essential oils, dilute before using on skin. Perform a patch test before use if essential oil sensitivity is suspected. Do not take essential oils internally. Do not use on children or pets. Seek advice from a trained aromatherapist before using on people with compromised immune systems. Keep away from eyes and mucus membranes.
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