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.
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.
Jean Fillioux - XO Impérial
Very old Eau-de-Vie with an amber colour.
Villeroy and Boch Cristal Decanter in its luxury box.
Jean Fillioux - Tasting Set "Collection"
WOODEN SET – 3 BOTTLES x 20CL
Coffret « Collection » - La Pouyade, Star Gourmet, Très Vieux.
Jean Fillioux - Tasting Set "Signature"
WOODEN SET – 3 BOTTLES x 20CL
Coffret « Signature » - Très Vieux, Cigar Club, Réserve Familiale.
Jean Fillioux -1991- Private Collection
With his roots firmly planted in the pure, time-honoured tradition of his ancestors, a man content in the shadows and a conjuror of magical aromas, Pascal will be happy to welcome you into his cellars where you can discover and share his Collection Privée.









