Cognac is a kind of strong drink made from wine in the Cognac area of western France, or a glass of that drink. By the rules of the name, it is brandy from that place, made in a set way. Brandy from somewhere else is still brandy, but it is not cognac — though people sometimes say “cognac” loosely for any fancy brown spirit in a small glass. You can ask for “a cognac,” meaning one serving. It is a grown-up, rather expensive drink, often after a meal. People also use the word for a warm brown colour, like the drink; that is a stretch from the name, not a second kind of alcohol. In English it is said more like “KON-yak,” not “COG-nack.”