Hennessy XO Cognac
Hennessy XO Cognac is the original X.O — created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy for his private circle, it invented the Extra Old category itself. At 40% ABV (80 proof), it blends about one hundred eaux-de-vie from Cognac's premier growing regions — Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies, Fins Bois and Bons Bois — double-distilled from Ugni Blanc and brought to maturity in French oak under eight generations of the Fillioux blending family. A 750mL bottle. Order cognac online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: XO — Extra Old (minimum 10 years per current EU rules; blend includes decades-old eaux-de-vie)
- Origin: Cognac, France — Maison Hennessy (founded 1765)
- Production: ~100 eaux-de-vie; double-distilled Ugni Blanc; French oak maturation
The Cognac That Invented X.O
Before 1870, "X.O" did not exist as a category — Maurice Hennessy's private blend created it, and the rest of Cognac followed. The house's Comité de Dégustation describes X.O in seven chapters, from candied fruit and peppery spice through a chocolate lull to an infinite echo of a finish. More Hennessy cognacs from VS to Paradis, or the full cognac collection, trace how the house builds complexity blend by blend.
Tasting Notes
From the Hennessy Comité de Dégustation's "Seven Chapters": sweet notes of candied fruit — orange fused with apricot; a spicy edge of pepper with a hint of chocolate; a chocolate lull of rich, dark, silky chocolate; rising heat, flowing flame, wood crunches of oak and vanilla, and an infinite echo on the long finish.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tulip glass or a proper cognac snifter — this is a sipping cognac by design. A single large ice cube is acceptable; anything more would be a waste of the blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does X.O mean in cognac? Extra Old — the youngest eaux-de-vie in the blend must be at least 10 years old under current EU rules; Hennessy XO includes components far older.
Why is Hennessy XO called "the original"? Maurice Hennessy created it in 1870 as the first cognac ever designated X.O — the category is named after this bottle.
How many eaux-de-vie are in Hennessy XO? About one hundred, drawn from Cognac's premier crus.
The bottle that named a category — buy Hennessy XO Cognac online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.