Distiller Notes
2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Winner
Pale and Dry is bright amber in color, with hints of gold. On the palate it has floral and spice aromas giving way to woody herbs, raisins and other dried fruits, vanilla and a hint of licorice.
The highest-quality Cognac is usually enjoyed after dinner as a contemplative drink. It should be served at cool room temperature or slightly chilled and allowed to warm in the glass, slowly releasing waves of aroma.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From the only house were the Cognacs start at XO, this blend of 20- to 25-year-old brandies is mellow and honeyed. The white flower, honey and pear fragrance leads the nose. A flurry of spice —cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger—enlivens the palate, leading to toasty brioche and vanilla, plus hints of pear and walnut. The finish is long, palate-coating and silky.
Widely regarded as the finest and most complex grape-based spirit in the world, Cognac follows rigorously strict production guidelines. It is made exclusively of wine—most commonly from Ugni Blanc—from the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions surrounding the town of Cognac in southwestern France. After a second distillation in antique copper pot stills (called charentais), the spirit is transferred to French oak barrels and aged a minimum of two years (VS). Cognac is classified by both age and region (Cru). The Grande Champagne Cru and Petite Champagne Cru, both having shallow limestone soils, are the most respected.