Cognac's nettiquette: From VS to XO: what's on a Cognac's label The label on a bottle of Cognac should accurately reflect the origin and the age of the youngest eau-de-vie used in its blend. 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, the Cognac stops maturing. It stands still.

A V.S (for Very Special), also called *** (or Three Stars) is at least two and a half years old. Its youngest eau-de-vie is under four and a half years old. A V.S.O.P ( for Very Superior Old Pale), also called Reserve, between four and a half and six and a half years old. A Napoleon, or X.O (for Extra Old ), also called Hors d'âge, at least six and a half years old. 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.