XO Cognac

How is XO Cognac made?

XO Cognac starts with white wine grapes grown in specific regions of France, which are fermented and then double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills called alambics charentais to create eau-de-vie. This clear spirit must then age in French oak barrels for a minimum of ten years, though many XO expressions contain blends of much older eaux-de-vie, sometimes aged 20, 30, or even 50 years. The final product comes from the master blender's art of marrying different aged spirits to achieve the house's signature flavor profile.

How do you drink XO Cognac?

XO Cognac is traditionally enjoyed neat at room temperature, served in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate those complex aromas that develop from years of aging. While some prefer it on the rocks during warmer weather, purists argue that ice dilutes the intricate flavors that make XO expressions so special. When used in cocktails, XO Cognac shines in sophisticated sippers like the Sidecar, Between the Sheets, or a well-crafted Sazerac, where its depth can complement rather than get lost among other ingredients.

How do I choose good XO Cognac?

When selecting an XO Cognac, focus on houses with consistent reputations like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, or Martell for reliable quality, though smaller producers often offer exceptional character at better values. Consider your intended use—if you're planning to sip it neat, invest in a more complex, aged expression with rich fruit and spice notes, but for cocktails like a Sidecar or Sazerac, a well-balanced XO without excessive oak will let the spirit shine without overwhelming other ingredients. Read the label carefully since XO means the youngest eau-de-vie is at least 10 years old, but many premium bottles contain much older blends that deliver greater depth and smoothness.

Nutritional Information

Typical Calorie Range per Ounce: 65-70 calories

Typical Carbohydrate Range per Ounce: 0-1 grams

Typical Sugar Range per Ounce: 0-1 grams

Typically Gluten Free: Yes

XO Cognac is distilled from grapes and aged in oak barrels, which naturally makes it gluten-free since grapes contain no gluten proteins. The distillation process also removes any potential gluten traces. The minimal carbohydrate and sugar content comes from the natural grape sugars and compounds extracted from oak aging over many years.

While XO Cognac is typically gluten-free, we recommend checking the detailed product information on specific bottles to confirm gluten-free status, as production methods can vary between houses and some producers may use additives or flavorings that could affect this designation.

Scrolled this far? Your reward? XO Cognac trivia!

1. XO doesn't actually stand for "Extra Old" - it's an abbreviation of "Extra Vieux," which literally translates to "Extra Ancient" in French. The term was coined by Maurice Hennessy in 1870 specifically for his family's personal reserve, making it the first luxury cognac grade ever created. He chose these particular words because he wanted something that sounded more poetic than simply "old."
2. Every XO cognac contains liquid that's legally required to be at least 10 years old, but most premium bottles contain brandies aged 20-40 years or more. Here's the kicker: some XO blends include eaux-de-vie from the 1800s that survived two World Wars. These ancient spirits were hidden in secret cellars and caves during Nazi occupation, making your glass a literal taste of history.
3. The famous cognac houses lose about 2% of their aging spirit to evaporation each year - romantically called "the angels' share." For a 30-year-old XO, nearly half the original liquid has vanished into thin air. This means the cognac in your snifter is basically concentrated liquid time, making it exponentially more valuable than when it first entered the barrel.
4. XO cognac changes color naturally from clear to deep amber without any artificial additives, but here's what's wild: the same spirit can taste completely different depending on where it aged in the warehouse. Barrels stored higher up age faster due to temperature fluctuations, while those on the ground floor develop more subtle, complex flavors. Master blenders map their warehouses like chess boards to track these micro-climates.
5. The cork in an XO bottle isn't meant to be removed and replaced like wine - once you open it, you've started an irreversible process. Unlike wine, cognac doesn't improve in the bottle, but it also doesn't spoil. However, repeated exposure to air will gradually mellow the spirit's intensity. This is why serious collectors sometimes transfer opened bottles to smaller containers to minimize air contact, treating each drop like liquid gold.