Introduction
Crystal tumblers, rich amber or leather coloured liquid, these are the words that are synonymous to cognac, an old world luxury that simply will never run out of style.
Names like Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Camus and Courvoisier, these master distillers are some of the world’s leading brands when it comes to those drinks we break out for those special occasions.
Let us delve deeper into this world of luxury and learn more about these delectable drinks to help you choose your next cognac to enjoy.
What is cognac?
Cognac is a type of brandy, typically produced using white grapes. Not unlike champagne, a cognac can only be described as such if it is made in the region of Cognac, located in the southwest of France.
To produce cognac, a young spirit called eaux de vie (water of life) is produced from grape juice that is double-distilled in copper stills and then the spirit is aged in French oak barrels.
There are six regions of Cognac that boast six different growth areas, with them being; Borderies, Fins Bois, Bon Bois, Petite Champagne, Grande Champagne and Bois Ordinaires.
Each of these regions of Cognac produce its own unique product for brandy based on its soil content which gives it its own unique twist.
As per state regulations, a eaux de vie must be aged for a minimum of two years for it to become cognac, though some brands will age it’s eaux de vie for a century before it is considered ready.
Meaning of XO on Cognac
Cognac’s status as a luxury item is a statement of opulence created by some of the world’s leading brandy styles, and when it comes to quality without breaking the bank, look no further than the XO blend products.
XO (Extra Old) cognacs by definition, are blends that are made only from eaux de vie that have been aged for at least ten years.
Prior to 2018, XO Cognacs had a minimum of six years of ageing however this made little difference as most quality-conscious distillers have been ageing their eaux de vie for well over 10 years.
Our picks for the Best XO Cognacs
Remy Martin XO
Since 1724, the House of Rémy Martin has produced premium spirits that consistently appeal to the world’s most discerning connoisseurs.
With its wide spectrum of late summer fruit aromas, combined with rich floral notes of white flowers such as jasmine, The House of Remy has perfectly blended these together to create the Remy Martin XO Cognac.
The Remy Martin XO is perfect for its opulence on the palate with mature flavors of juicy plums and candied oranges, with a hint of hazelnut as well as cinnamon.
Hennessy XO
Jas Hennesy & Co, also known simply as Hennessy, is the largest Cognac producer in the world, supplying more than 40% of the world’s Cognac. Hennessy’s distillery was founded by Irish military officer Richard Hennesy in 1765.
The original Hennessy XO was created by Maurice Hennesy for his circle of friends. With its rich, bold and complex flavor, giving it a smooth, full sensation to the palate, while being powerful yet soft with a hint of cocoa as well as a warm fruity presence.
Hennessy XO Experience Ice 2
With its deep amber color, the Hennessy XO Experience Ice, is the perfect Cognac for all brandy drinkers that can also be enjoyed by newcomers. The Hennessy XO Experience has an aroma of candied fruit and subtly spicy notes to create a complete harmony.
Martell XO
One of the first cognac houses, Martell was founded by Jean Martell in 1715 who was originally a young merchant from Jersey that created his own trading business at Gatebourse in Cognac.
The Martell XO is a sensational blend that mixes four of the eaux de vie from Martell’s four regions and has a spicy nose and lush dried fruity taste on the palate. This bottle of XO Cognac is best enjoyed neat, or with a splash of water to bring out its exceptional aroma.
Larsen Louis Chevallier XO
The Louis Chevallier XO is made out of pure grape brandy crafted in the authentic tradition that is aged in oak casks and blended with carefully selected eaux de vie to create a remarkable taste.
With its rich fruit aromas of pear and quince with a hint of vanilla and honey, this bottle of bright amber coloured Louis Chevallier will definitely enhance your XO Cognac experience.
Courvoisier XO
Originally established in Paris in 1835, Emmanuel Courvoisier started Courvoisier along with Louis Gallois who were both originally traders for the best cognacs of the region that eventually decided to relocate to the Charente region of France to make their own cognac.
This luxurious XO Cognac contains a matured blend of eaux-de-vie from Grande and Petite Champagne, aged from 11 to 25 years.
The flavour of this XO Cognac has a rich and full-bodied taste while mixing well with its intense exotic flavours of creme brulee, candied orange, iris flower and vanilla. Look no further than this bottle of Courvoisier XO to sophisticate your home bar.
Camus XO Elegance
The Camus XO Elegance is produced using a process that starts with a careful selection of different styles of rich eaux-de-vie from all six of the Cognac Crus.
After a meticulous blending process, the XO Cognac’s personality is filled with a myriad of complex and harmonious blends of aromas with its flower-scented bouquet of dried fruit and almonds, creating a full and stimulating fragrance.
The palate of this best XO Cognac is light at first, with a hint of caramel and vanilla then finally finishing the aforementioned fruity flavors. Camus XO Elegance is best enjoyed when it is allowed time to open.
A.De Fussigny XO
The Fissigny’s XO Cognac comes in a blend of two eaux de vie of Grande and Petite Champagne that is aged in Tronconnais casks or Limousin oak barrels. Fussigny’s XO is excellent at pushing aromas to great heights due to their humid cellars that are situated at the river of Charente.
Tiffon XO
From Cognac’s finest growing regions, The Tiffon XO is a blend of several old eaux de vie that is carefully matured for at least 10 years in oak barrels. This XO has a distinct and fine flavor of dried fruits, with a hint of vanilla and caramel.
The Tiffon XO, with its rich caramel amber color comes in a sweet aroma of vanilla, oak, cocoa as well as having leather notes, giving it a long finish with a warm delicate balance. The warming spices found in this XO makes it the perfect for after a long chilly day.
Prince Polignac XO Royal
Cognac Prince Hubert de Polignac is an independent Cognac company, named after the oldest of France’s noble families since parting from H Mounier in 2019. Today’s ‘Prince Polignac’ Cognac has won many awards since its creation over 60 years ago.
The Prince Polignac XO Royal is made out of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne Cognac. This best XO Cognac is made in the traditional Polignac style with its flavorful blend, giving it a mild oaky vanilla, candied nuts and brown sugar flavor along with a lean and dry palate in addition to a spicy finish.
Otard XO Gold Cognac
Founded at the end of the 18th Century, Baron Otard is a Cognac producer that bottles a number of brandies made predominantly from Ugni Blanc, grown in a number of Charentais sub-regions.
This bottle of Otard XO Gold Cognac has a deep orange color with aromas of candied fruit, spices and dried citrus on the nose. It has a pronounced harmony, expressing a bodied and lengthy sensation on the palate with a long finish.
Hardy XO Rare Fine Champagne Cognac
Anthony Hard, a Scottish wine and spirits dealer, founded The House of Hardy in 1863 after travelling for years back and forth from Scotland to the Charente on business before settling in Cognac to open a distillery.
The House of Hardy produces a wide range of quality XO Cognac all crafted from a blend of eaux de vie aged thirty, fifty and sixty.
The Hardy XO Rare Fine Champagne Cognac has an elegant sunset-orange color with its savory bouquet of fruity aromas to stun your senses. This best XO Cognac’s blend creates an opulent flavor that marries ripe pear, roasted almond flavors and apricot scents with a firm as well as long finish.
Conclusion
Despite having a list of recommendations for you, the best XO Cognacs for you are the ones you really love. There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing the best for yourself. You should try as many XO Cognacs to find your favourite drink! Cheers!
