XO Cognac

XO (Extra Old) is a classification of Cognac, a specific type of brandy that must be produced in the Cognac region of France under strict Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) regulations. The 'XO' designation was first introduced by Maurice Hennessy in 1870 and indicates that the youngest eaux-de-vie in the blend has been aged for a minimum of ten years in oak casks.

While 'XO' is a category used by many houses including Hennessy, Remy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier, the origin of the term is firmly rooted in French viticulture and distillation traditions. Production is legally restricted to the Charente and Charente-Maritime departments of France, where the unique climate and soil contribute to the character of the Ugni Blanc grapes used for distillation.

Today, the leading brands producing XO Cognac are owned by large global luxury conglomerates. For example, Hennessy is part of the LVMH group based in France, Martell is owned by Pernod Ricard (France), and Rémy Martin is the flagship brand of the Rémy Cointreau Group (France). These entities ensure the global distribution and preservation of the traditional French methods required to carry the XO label.