A Napoleon, or X.O (for Extra Old ), also called Hors d'âge, is a cognac which youngest eau-de-vie is at least six and a half years old.
A Cognac may be sold only when its youngest eau-de-vie reaches a minimum of two and a half years old, as of the first day of October following the harvest of the grapes.
Only the years of storage in oak barrels count to determine its age. Once transferred into glass, Cognac stops maturing. It stands still.
However, most Cognac houses will use Cognacs much older than those required by law, allowing X.Os to reach a minimum of twenty years old, in order to reveal their very best.
XO is perhaps one of the vaguest classifications regarding quality, and should’t be taken at face value without further search. Some of the XOs you can find in our site are certainly under-priced, while some others, which, of course, you will NOT find here at Le Cognac, may be quite mediocre . In fact, selecting Cognacs with a reasonably quality/price ratios is one of our raisons d’être.
On the other hand, regarding Cognac, beyond a certain level of quality one enters into the realm of subjectivity. And then, of course, there is always a premium in rarity. When a product is scarce, if demand remains strong, it is only natural that prices go up. This is exactly what we have been seeing with high-end Cognac prices in the last few years because of the huge Chinese demand.
As a rule, we would say that the XOs present at Le Cognac are all good value in general market terms. Some of them are indeed very good value.
Gautier - Gold & Blue
GOLD, the sun and light like Cognac XO …
This XO is a blend of old «eaux-de-vie».The benefit is a finer, rounder and fuller Cognac. Rich yet smooth with a long finish.
Guerbé - XO Grande Champagne "Tulipe"
A fine Cognac with a long lasting taste - Grande Champagne presented in its exclusive "Tulipe" decanter and luxury giftbox.
Guerbé - Napoléon
A gold colour lightly more limpid than the VSOP.
Fine smell of dry fruit with oak notes and complex aromas such as apple tart.
Guerbé - XO Grande Champagne
This X. O. Cognac Grande Champagne- Cognac's prime Cru - most refined is a perfect gift for the finest gourmets.
Guerbé - Grande Réserve
This cognac is a real flight bringing you in the master cellar atmosphere with the entire eaux de vie flavours. All the savours come back in mouth and let express this maderization taste which is perfect for the feminine public as it is not aggressive at all.
Hine - Cigar Reserve
Bernard HINE & Nicholas Freeman, the late chairman of UK Havana cigar importers, Hunters & Frankau, combined their lifetime experience to produce this unique cognac, especially created for the cigar connoisseur.
Hine - Antique XO Fine Champagne
A blend of more than 40 cognacs drawn from both the Grande and Petite Champagne districts and aged for more than one generation.
ANTIQUE XO is the house’s flagship, first blended by Thomas George HINE in 1920.
Jacques Denis - XO
A rare discovery of the aromatic complexity and subtlety of an exceptional Grande Champagne.
Jean Fillioux - La Pouyade
Eau-de-Vie with an amber colour and fruity savours, greengage, apricot, with a hint of almond and fine vanilla imparted by the Limousin wood. 42% in alcohol content, this Cognac has a distinct and powerful bouquet whose supple and lingering taste on the palate are the hallmark of Grande Champagne.









