Cognac is a protected grape brandy from the Cognac region of France. Its categories describe the minimum age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend, not the average age.
Main Cognac categories
| Term | Minimum age | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| VS | 2 years | Highballs and cocktails |
| VSOP | 4 years | Sipping and premium cocktails |
| XO | 10 years | Slow neat pours and gifting |
How to serve Cognac
Use a small tulip-shaped glass rather than overheating the spirit in an oversized snifter. Start neat at room temperature, then try a few drops of water. Younger Cognac can also work with ginger ale, soda or citrus.
Two easy cocktails
Cognac Highball
Combine 1½ oz Cognac with chilled soda or ginger ale over ice and garnish with lemon.
Sidecar
Shake 2 oz Cognac, ¾ oz orange liqueur and ¾ oz lemon juice with ice; strain into a chilled glass.
Browse the Cognac collection.
Sources
Origin, production and age-category rules were checked against the official Cognac interprofessional bureau.
