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What types of Cognac are there?
Besides different Cognac brands, there are many different types of Cognac. All Cognac comes from the same Cognac region in France, and all Cognac is made from grapes. So what is the difference? The biggest difference is in the production process and especially in the aging. You have probably heard of several different types, but what are the differences in Cognac types? Below is a list of different types of Cognac.
There are many types of Cognac, each with its own distinction often leading to its own flavor:
The different types of Cognac
- V.S. Cognac or VS Cognac or *** Cognac
- V.S.O.P. Cognac or VSOP Cognac or Reserve Cognac
- X.O. Cognac or XO Cognac
- Napoleon, Hors d'Age or Ancestral Cognac
V.S. Cognac or VS Cognac or *** Cognac
Very Special (Very Superior) of ***, is Cognac that has aged at least 2.5 years.
V.S.O.P. Cognac or VSOP Cognac or Reserve Cognac
Very Special Old Pale or Very Superior Old Pale, is cognac that has aged at least 4 years. Reserve is used to denote special quality of a cognac.
X.O. Cognac or XO Cognac & Napoleon, Hors d'Age or Ancestral Cognac
XO stands for Exceptionally Old, these are cognacs that have aged at least 6 years. Napoleon is an unofficial age designation for Cognac and comparable to Cognac of XO quality, which means that the youngest eau-de-vie has aged at least 6 years in oak barrels. The basis for this designation lies with the Cognac house Courvoisier and the French Emperor Napoleon.