XO Cognac, or “Extra Old” Cognac, is a premium classification of this French brandy, defined by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) as a blend where the youngest eau-de-vie has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years, a standard raised from six years in 2019 to reflect its luxurious stature. Produced in the Cognac region using primarily Ugni Blanc grapes, XO undergoes double distillation in copper stills and extended maturation in French oak—often Limousin or Tronçais—yielding a deep amber spirit with complex, velvety flavors like dried figs, dark chocolate, leather, and the signature rancio note of aged Cognac. Houses like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, and Courvoisier craft XO expressions that showcase the finesse of crus like Grande Champagne, making it a favorite for sipping neat or with a splash of water to unlock its bouquet, ideally in a snifter glass warmed by hand. Pricier than VS or VSOP due to its long aging, XO is a digestif of choice for connoisseurs, embodying decades of craftsmanship and the rich heritage of Cognac’s terroir in every slow, contemplative sip.
