What is VSOP Cognac?

What does VSOP mean for Cognac?

What is VSOP Cognac? V.S.O.P. is an aging designation given to Cognacs, which means “Very Special Old Pale“. The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) is the governing body that monitors the production of Cognac to ensure that it meets all required standards. In 1983, the BNIC established designations concerning classifying Cognacs by age. The designation V.S.O.P. applies to Cognacs in which the youngest eau-de-vie blended in the Cognac is not less than four years old.

Cognac, a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France, is categorized based on age. The age designation of a Cognac is determined by the length of time the eau-de-vie has been aging in its casks before blending. Cognac eau-de-vie is a clear, colorless fruit brandy twice distilled from fermented grapes.

Cognacs that undergo at least 2 years of aging are labeled as VS (Very Special). VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) Cognacs are aged for at least four years, with most of the blend being aged six to ten. Cognacs that undergo at least 10 years of aging are designated XO (Extra Old). In the last few years, the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has approved the special designation of XXO for special Cognacs aged at least 14 years.

The aging process gives Cognac its characteristic color, aroma, and flavor. Eau-de-vie from grapes grown, particularly Cognac Crus, are more suited to the long aging process. The longer a Cognac is properly aged before bottling, the more complex and refined its taste becomes. This is why older Cognacs are generally more expensive than younger ones.

The aging process gives Cognac its characteristic color, aroma, and flavor. The longer a Cognac ages, its taste becomes more complex and refined. This is why older Cognacs are generally more expensive than younger ones.

The aging designation is determined by the youngest eau-de-vie blended in the Cognac, not the oldest.

V.S.O.P. Cognacs

Nearly all Cognac Houses produce a V.S.O.P Cognac. Cognac master blenders select their finest eaux-de-vie from their better-growing crus for their V.S.O.P. Cognacs.

Hennessy Privilege V.S.O.P.

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilege was produced in 1818 at the request of The Prince of Wales and future King George IV of Great Britain and is the first such cognac to be designated “very special old pale”. Hennessy V.S.O.P. is now produced under Hennessy’s cellar master Renaud Fillioux du Gironde.

Hennessy V.S.O.P. is a blend of about 60 different eaux-de-vie made from Ugni Blanc grapes from the Borderies, Fins Bois, Grande Champagne, and Petite Champagne appellations aged four to fifteen years in French Limousin oak barrels.

Rémy Martin V.S.O.P.

Rémy Martin’s V.S.O.P. offering was first produced in 1927. blends eaux de-vie from the Grand Champagne (55%) and Petit Champagne (45%) growing crus in the cognac region. Rémy Martin’s V.S.O.P. is now made under the auspices of Rémy Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau.

Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. is a blend of 200 eaux-de-vie aged 4-12 years in French Limousin oak barrels. This Cognac blends eaux de-vie from the Grand Champagne (55%) and Petit Champagne (45%) growing crus in the Cognac region. Ninety-seven percent of the eaux-de-vie in Rémy Martin VSOP is distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes. Rémy Martin adds a small percentage of eaux-de-vie distilled from Colombard and Folle Blanche grapes.

Courvoisier V.S.O.P.

Courvoisier V.S.O.P. is currently crafted by Patrice Pinet, Courvoisier’s Master Blender.

Courvoisier V.S.O.P. is crafted from eaux-de-vie from the Fins Bois, Grande and Petite Champagne growing crus. It is aged between eight and ten years in french oak from the Limousin forests near Cognac, France.

Martell V.S.O.P.

Martell V.S.O.P. is produced under the direction of Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud.

Martell V.S.O.P. Medaillon is crafted from eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne, Borderies, and Fins Bois growing crus. It is aged between five to seven years in French Tronçais oak barrels.
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