Cognac gets its name from the brandy made in Cognac, France. The spirit gained prominence in European aristocratic circles during the 17th century, when it became synonymous with luxury and refinement—qualities that the color itself represents today. The warm, red-brown hue mirrors the depths of aged cognac, carrying within it both richness and subtle complexity. In color psychology, cognac evokes feelings of security and warmth, while suggesting maturity and tradition. Modern designers use cognac to convey quality, timelessness and craftsmanship. It works well as a versatile neutral, especially in interiors and fashion where it's often paired with deep purples, gold, and soft beiges.
In digital design, cognac is represented by the hex code #B37A50. The RGB values fall around R:179, G:122, B:80, creating its characteristic warm glow through the higher red value combined with moderate green and lower blue. Print designers working with CMYK values generally use the balanced percentages of C:22%, M:47%, Y:65%, K:15% to achieve authentic cognac tones in physical media.
Other related colors to cognac: