Food & Drink

Cognac and Armagnac Styles

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Updated:4/9/2026
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Designation
Category
Minimum Age (Years)
Typical Notes
Known For
VS (Very Special)
Cognac2Fresh grape, oak, vanilla, bright fruitEntry-level Cognac, common in cocktails like Sidecar and Sazerac
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)
Cognac4Dried fruit, spice, light caramel, rounded oakPopular mid-tier, balance of fruit and wood, great for sipping or mixing
Napoleon
Cognac6Deeper spice, leather, dried flowersBetween VSOP and XO, sometimes considered a premium VSOP tier
XO (Extra Old)
Cognac10Rancio, tobacco, dark chocolate, candied orangePremium Cognac, minimum age raised from 6 to 10 years in 2018
XXO (Extra Extra Old)
Cognac14Deep rancio, exotic spice, dark honey, long finishOfficial designation added in 2018 for ultra-aged Cognacs
Hors d'Age
Cognac10Beyond counting, layered, meditativeLiterally beyond age - used for rare, old blends without stated age
VS Armagnac
Armagnac1Rustic, grape-forward, pepperySingle-distilled on column stills, earthier than Cognac
VSOP Armagnac
Armagnac4Prune, vanilla, hazelnut, spiceMid-tier Armagnac, often from Bas-Armagnac terroir
XO Armagnac
Armagnac10Rich prune, caramel, pipe tobacco, rancioLonger aging potential than Cognac thanks to single distillation
Hors d'Age Armagnac
Armagnac10Intense dried fruit, leather, walnut, very long finishOften released as vintage single-year bottlings - unique to Armagnac
Vintage Armagnac
Armagnac10Year-specific character, single harvestOnly French brandy commonly released as single-vintage, gift for birth years
Folle Blanche Armagnac
Armagnac4Floral, delicate, white pepper, citrusHistoric grape variety making a comeback in artisanal Armagnac

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