Today my mate wanted to cook Filetto al pepe verde (tenderloin with green pepper) and to do so he needed some cognac for the flambé.  I bought a bottle of Martell.  It’s not exactly the cheapest cognac out there, but it was the cheapest on the shelf.  I’ve never been a cognac fan, I tend to prefer whisky (scotch), but I have to say Martell is great.  Gold and copper colour; fruits, leather and sandal on the nose.  When you pour in your mouth, at first you feel sweet and honey, then it turns to pure silk.  Someone tried to describe the difference between cognac and whisky: cognac is like a well-dressed fine lady, whisky is like a sweat and dirty mason.