Courvoisier XO Royal Cognac
Courvoisier XO Royal Cognac is a 40% ABV (80 proof) ultra-premium expression from Maison Courvoisier, a permanent addition to the house's portfolio. Revived from a heritage recipe once favored by the royal courts of Europe in the early 1900s — Britain's King Edward VII even commissioned his own blend — the cognac marries Fins Bois de Jarnac with carefully selected Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie, aged up to 30 years in Limousin and Tronçais oak casks. Sixth Chief Blender Patrice Pinet's full-bodied blend balances the house's signature floral style with richer oak spice and depth. It was crowned Cognac of the Year at the 2023 London Spirits Competition. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: Fins Bois de Jarnac + Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie
- Aging: up to 30 years in Limousin and Tronçais oak casks
- Bottle: teardrop decanter with 30-facet glass stopper, royal bee motifs
A Recipe Fit for Kings
The XO Royal starts from the Paradis Cellar in Jarnac, where a few bottles of King Edward VII's commissioned Edward VII Reserve can still be found — Pinet's starting point for reviving the marriage of Fins Bois and Grande Champagne that defines this blend. On the palate it delivers rich dark chocolate, creamy apricot, warm spices, subtle coffee, and maple, under a nose of opulent summer blossoms, decadent truffle, toasted hazelnut, honey, and cinnamon; the finish is long and powerful with oak, gentle spice, and dried fruit. The teardrop decanter honors the original Courvoisier XO introduced by Fourth Chief Blender Daniel Dumon in 1984, with a glass stopper whose 30 facets represent the maximum age of the eaux-de-vie in the blend. See more cognac or browse Courvoisier.
Tasting Notes
Nose: opulent summer blossoms, truffle, toasted hazelnut, honey, cinnamon. Palate: rich dark chocolate, creamy apricot, warm spices, subtle coffee, maple. Finish: long and powerful — oak, gentle spice, dried fruit, lingering warmth.
How to Enjoy
Serve neat in a tulip glass to appreciate the aromatics and the lengthy finish. Pairs beautifully with poultry in earthy sauces, dark chocolate, and decadent desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is XO Royal different from regular Courvoisier XO? The Royal expression adds Fins Bois to the blend for richer oak spice, nuttier notes, and extra depth, from eaux-de-vie aged up to 30 years.
What awards has Courvoisier XO Royal won? Named Cognac of the Year at the 2023 London Spirits Competition; 95 points from Spirits Review Online (Platinum, 2023 Critics Challenge).
What do the 30 facets on the stopper mean? They represent the maximum age of the eaux-de-vie in the blend — 30 years.
Royalty-worthy cognac — buy Courvoisier XO Royal online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.