What does XO mean?

XO, short for “Extra Old”

XO stands for “Extra Old”. It is one of the age designations found on cognac labels, alongside VS and VSOP, and it refers to the longest-aged blends.

A minimum ageing period of 10 years

Since a BNIC decision that took effect in April 2018, an XO cognac must contain eau-de-vie whose youngest component has aged at least 10 years in oak (compared with 6 years previously). In practice, the eaux-de-vie used in an XO blend are very often much older than this legal minimum.

A rich and complex aromatic profile

This long time in oak gives XO a deep amber colour and a rich aromatic palette: candied fruit, spice, cocoa, leather, woody notes and sometimes a hint of rancio, the characteristic note of very long-aged eaux-de-vie. An XO cognac is traditionally enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a tulip glass, to appreciate its full complexity.

To compare sizes and choose your bottle, read our guide XO Cognac: the guide to choosing well.

Our Grande Champagne cognacs are arranged by age: discover our old cognacs (10 to 20 years), our very old cognacs (over 20 years) and our extra old cognacs.