Hennessy XO Cognac

About Hennessy XO Cognac

The long and sophisticated process of making this premium cognac stars with the grapes. Hennessy uses the late-maturing variety Ugni blanc, which provides just the right balance between high acidity and a low alcohol content for creating well-balanced eaux-de-vie (water of life). It takes approximately 12 kg of grapes to obtain one liter of eau-de-vie. Pressing the grapes produces 9 liters of wine, which is first distilled to make 3 liters of brouillis, and for the second time to make one liter of pure eau-de-vie. These eaux-de-vie are then put in French oak barrels and stored in special, carefully monitored cellars. Every day, the Hennessey tasting committee meets to select or reject eaux-de-vie, and the selected barrels are then sampled annually throughout maturation. This process is steered by Master Blender Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, who became Hennessy’s eighth generation master blender from the same family after having learned the secrets of the craft from his uncle, Yann Fillioux. The creation of premium cognac does not end at aging. The Master Blender and the Tasting Committee meticulously select the eaux-de-vie for blending, consistently replicating perfection and taste.

Hennessy X.O (X.O stands for extra old) was created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy for his circle of friends. It was the first cognac to be labeled extra old. About 100 different eaux-de-vie are blended to create this elegant and complex cognac.

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About Cognac

Cognac is a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France.
Because the French take it very seriously, there are numerous rules cognac makers have to follow not to fall “short” into the brandy category.

The white wine from the specific grapes (Ugni blanc) has to be doubly distilled in a copper pot still before being aged for at least two years in oak casks from which the wood can only come from two specific forests in France (Limousin or Tronçais).

Depending on the age, there are three types of cognac, the youngest V.S. (Very Special), V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale), and the X.O. (Extra Old)