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The best XO cognacs for whiskey drinkers

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Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor
Remy Martin

If you’re a whiskey drinker and you don’t broaden your drinking horizons to cognac, you’re really missing out. While whiskey is made with barley, corn, wheat, rye, and other grains, cognac is a grape-based spirit. That said, long-aged cognac has a flavor profile that would appeal to bourbon and single malt Scotch whisky drinkers. Especially if it’s an XO cognac

In my more than two decades writing about alcohol, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Cognac, France, and have imbibed countless glasses of cognac. I’ve found that when I want a change of pace from my usual bourbon, an XO cognac scratches my itch for mellow vanilla and charred oak.

What is XO cognac?

Cognac barrels
Timothé Durand/Unsplash

Before we really get into why cognac is a great choice for whiskey drinkers, we should take a little dive into what exactly XO cognac is. XO stands for “extra old,” and it’s the most premium and highest category of cognac. XO cognacs have been matured for a minimum of ten years. For a little background, VS cognacs have been matured for at least 2 years, and VSOP for at least 4 years.

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The result is a mellow, nuanced cognac featuring flavors like toasted vanilla beans, pipe tobacco, dried fruits, toffee, chocolate, oak, and wintry spices. All of which appeal to whiskey fans. While some cognacs are good substitutes for whiskey in many cocktails, XO cognac is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water to unlock its aromas and flavors.

The best XO cognacs for whiskey drinkers

Brandy in the sunlight
jon sullivan / Shutterstock

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about the appeal of XO cognacs for whiskey drinkers, it’s time to find a few bottles to add to your home bar cart. Below, you’ll find our favorite XO cognacs. Each is well-suited for the refined palate of a bourbon, single malt Scotch whisky, Japanese whisky, or even an Irish whiskey drink. Keep scrolling to see them all.

How I choose XO cognacs

Snifter
David Jdt/Unsplash

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to XO cognacs. Not all of them are worth the added price. I choose my XO cognacs based on the regions the eaux-de-vie are from, the status of the cognac house, and the overall aroma and flavor. All of these factors go into choosing the XO cognacs that will have a spot on my home bar.

Hennessy XO Cognac

Hennessy XO Cognac
Hennessy

One of the most highly beloved XO cognacs on the market, Hennessy XO is made from a blend of more than 100 eaux-de-vie distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes. It’s matured for at least 10 years( with many of the eaux-de-vie much older) in French oak barrels. The result is a multi-layered, memorable spirit that begins with a nose of raisins, chocolate fudge, cinnamon candy, toffee, and oak. Sipping it reveals hints of ripe figs, cracked black pepper, fresh leather, vanilla beans, and chocolate. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of wood, toffee candy, and baking spices. It’s best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water on a chilly evening.

$199.99

Buy it here

ABK6 XO Cognac

ABK6 XO Cognac
ABK6

ABK6 XO Cognac is worth adding to your must-try list if you’re a whiskey drinker. It features single-estate eaux-de-vie (mostly Ugni Blanc). It’s double-distilled and matured in French oak Limousin barrels for a minimum of 10 years. The result is a complex sipping spirit that begins with a nose of fig, candied orange peel, cinnamon, sticky toffee pudding, and oak. The palate is centered on notes of clover honey, raisins, oak, chocolate, and wintry spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of baking spices, candied nuts, and caramelized sugar. Sip it neat, slowly, and enjoy the symphony of flavors.

$114.99

Buy it here

Hine Cru XO Cognac

Hine Cru XO Cognac
Hine

This is an epic XO cognac that you’ll want to add to your home bar. It features around 40 eaux-de-vie made completely from Ugni Blanc grapes from the Grande Champagne region and double-distilled in copper pot stills. Every cognac included was matured for at least 10 years in French oak casks. This creates a nuanced, memorable cognac that begins with scents of honey, dried fruits, candied ginger, toasted vanilla beans, and sticky toffee pudding. The palate is loaded with flavors including crème brulee, caramelized sugar, candied nuts, raisins, pipe tobacco, and oaky wood. The finish is long, warm, and mellow, and ends with notes of baking spices, chocolate, and citrus peels. Drink it neat or on the rocks while you sit alongside a roaring fire.

$289.99

Buy it here

Rémy Martin XO Cognac

Rémy Martin XO Cognac
Rémy Martin

There’s a reason Rémy Martin XO  is one of the most highly regarded cognacs. This expression is made from a blend of eaux-de-vie distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes from both the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne regions of France. It’s matured for at least 10 years in French oak. This creates a sublime sipping cognac that begins with a nose of dried fruits, candied orange peels, toffee, cinnamon candy, and toasted vanilla beans. Sipping it reveals notes of candied nuts, ginger candy, charred oak, caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and grape-like fruit. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a mix of honey, ginger, toffee, and chocolate. Give it the respect it deserves by sipping it neat on a chilly night.

$214.99

Buy it here

Christopher Osburn
Christopher Osburn
Writer
Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
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