Cognacs Page 1 of 6

Every cognac is brandy, but not every brandy is cognac. The designation cognac is protected and can only be carried by distillates made from grapes grown in the French region of Cognac. Brandy produced in the same way elsewhere cannot be called cognac.

The Cognac Region and Appellations

The Cognac region has been divided into six appellations since 1908, which differ in soil quality and wine character:

• Grande Champagne
• Petite Champagne
• Borderies
• Fins Bois
• Bons Bois
• Bois Ordinaires

The most prestigious cognacs come from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions.

How Cognac is Made

The production of cognac is strictly regulated:

• it is distilled twice in copper pot stills,
• the distillation process must be completed by March 31 following the grape harvest,
• the clear distillate with an alcohol strength of about 70% goes into oak barrels, where it gradually matures and loses its sharpness,
• maximum benefit from the barrels is achieved after approximately 50 years of aging.

After aging, the distillates are blended – some cognacs contain more than a hundred different vintages. This is where the art of the so-called blender, the master of blending, comes into play.

Cognac Classification by Age

The designations depend on the age of the youngest distillate in the blend. This system was introduced by Maurice Hennessy in 1865 and is still used today:

V.S. (Very Special) – min. 2 years of aging in the barrel.
V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) – min. 4 years of aging in the barrel.
X.O. (Extra Old) – min. 10 years of aging in the barrel.
X.X.O. (Extra Extra Old) – min. 14 years of aging in the barrel.

Other traditional designations:

Napoleon – a category between VSOP and XO.
Extra – older and more mature than XO.
Hors d’Age – top cognacs with no upper age limit, often 30–100 years.
Vintage – come from a single vintage, without blending.

How Cognac Tastes

Cognac is a complex distillate with a flavor profile that changes with age:

• young VS are fruity, fresh, with clear grape notes,
• VSOP and Napoleon bring smoothness, vanilla, and spicy notes,
• XO, XXO, and Hors d’Age are significantly complex, with notes of nuts, wood, cocoa, or tobacco.

It is served at room temperature in cognac glasses that enhance its aroma.