The history of Cognac XO: between tradition and excellence
The XO appellation, for Extra Old (also different from "Cognac Extra"), is relatively recent in the history of Cognac. It was formalized in 1983 by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) to distinguish exceptional eaux-de-vie, older than VS (Very Special) or VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale).
Aging is the keystone of Cognac XO. Under current regulations, it must contain an eau-de-vie with a minimum age of 10 years, compared with 4 years for a VSOP. This threshold has been in force since 2018 (compared with 6 years previously), a sign of the desire to reinforce the requirements of this category.
Historically, this classification has enabled the great Cognac houses to showcase their expertise in blending and ageing. It rapidly became a luxury standard, particularly appreciated in Asian and North American markets.
The Cognac XO is therefore part of a prestigious tradition: a marker of excellence, patience and craftsmanship, designed to sublimate time and raw materials.
How is a Cognac XO made?
The Cognac XO follows an identical process to the other Cognacs, but differs in the choice of eaux-de-vie and the length of aging. Here are the main stages in its manufacture:
1. Specific grape varieties
Ugni Blanc is the majority grape variety (98% of vineyards), chosen for its acidity and low sugar content, ideal for distillation. Other varieties include Folle Blanche and CoLombard.
2. Charentaise double distillation
This involves two toasts in a copper still. Only the "heart of the toast", the purest and most aromatic part, is kept. This clear, limpid and powerful distillate will become Cognac.
3. Ageing in oak barrels
This is where Cognac XO comes into its own. It is aged for a minimum of 10 years in French oak barrels (often from Limousin or Tronçais). The wood brings tannins, woody aromas, structure and color. Slow contact with air and wood enables a gradual evolution: tertiary aromas (leather, spices, fruit Secs), rounder texture, longer finish. Some houses allow their wines to age well beyond 10 years to gain in complexity.
4. Blending
This is the role of the cellar master. He selects and blends different aged eaux-de-vie to obtain a harmonious, coherent aromatic profile. Each house has its own signature style XO.
A Cognac XO is therefore the fruit of long, precise work, deeply linked to time. Each bottle represents more than a decade of patience and expertise.
What's the difference between XO and VSOP?
If you're hesitating between a Cognac VSOP and a Cognac XO, it's all a question of time... and taste.
Aging time :
- VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): brandies aged at least 4 years
- XO (Extra Old): brandies aged at least 10 years
So XO takes its time, and that changes everything.
Taste profile :
- VSOP: fruitier, livelier, perfect for an aperitif or cocktail.
- XO: rounder, more complex, with deep notes of leather, spices, fruit Secs. A long, warm finish.
To remember: Looking for an accessible, aromatic, elegant Cognac? VSOP. Prefer a more intense, luxurious, long-lasting experience? XO.
What's the difference between XO and XXO?
Cognac XXO (Extra Extra Old) is a natural evolution of XO. It responds to the same logic of excellence... but even more demanding.
Ageing :
- XO: 10 years minimum
- XXO: 14 years minimum
4 extra years make a real difference. The XXO has more patina, more mellowness, often more Rare too.
It's a Cognac of collection, of meditation.
Where XO has established itself as a benchmark of affordable luxury, XXO is a step above: positioned as an exceptional Cognac, often produced in small quantities.
Who is XXO aimed at?
- Those who have already tasted XO and want to go further.
- For those looking for a unique gift.
- Or simply to those who believe that time is the best ingredient.
The great emblematic houses of Cognac XO
A number of independent producers embody the excellence of Cognac XO, combining tradition, mastery and a strong identity.
Frapin, established in Segonzac since 1270, produces its Cognacs exclusively from its 240-hectare Domaine in Grande Champagne, Premier Cru de Cognac. The house cultivates a singular style, marked by distillation on lees and aging in its own cellars, at Château de Fontpinot. With eaux-de-vie patiently matured - some dating back to 1888 - Frapin offers a complex, racy XO range, deeply rooted in its terroir.
Daniel Bouju, a family business since 1805, produces its Cognacs XO independently, in the heart of the Grande Champagne. With a limited area of 15 hectares, each cuvée expresses the precision of Rare craftsmanship. The eaux-de-vie are aged for long periods, often in Limousin oak barrels, to develop powerful, dense aromas and remarkable depth.
These two houses embody another idea of Cognac XO: confidential, demanding, and resolutely focused on authenticity.
How to enjoy a Cognac XO?
A Cognac XO is best enjoyed with respect. If you hold a bottle in your hands, you're holding a spirit shaped by over ten years of patience, wood and mastery. To extract its full richness, you need to create the right conditions.
The choice of glass is crucial. We recommend a tulip or INAO glass, which concentrates the aromas without smothering them. Serve your Cognac at room temperature, between 18 and 20°C. Too cold and it closes up. Too hot and it saturates with alcohol. Offer it a quiet moment, after a good meal, in an environment conducive to slowness and attention.
Here are a few ideas for accompaniments to enrich the experience:
- Mature cheeses (like an old Comté or an old Extra Mimolette)
- Dark chocolates, ideally over 70% cocoa
- Light cigars, if you like them
- In cocktails for the most creative and seeking mixes
Take your time. Cognac XO is not to be drunk, but discovered, sip after sip.
What are the typical aromas of a Cognac XO?
Over 10 years of aging builds character. Here's what you'll find in a well-aged Cognac XO:
- Sweet spices: cinnamon, white pepper, nutmeg
- Woody notes: oak, blond cigar, sandalwood
- Fruits Secs: fig, date, grape Sec
- Candied fruit: prune, apricot, bitter orange
- Animal and leathery notes: new leather, tobacco, undergrowth
- Floral hints: sometimes jasmine or violets on the most elegant Cognacs
Every house has its own aromatic signature. The art is to find the one that speaks to you.
