In 1870, Maurice Hennessy — the fourth generation of the Hennessy family — asked Master Blender Emile Fillioux to create a private reserve cognac for his circle of friends. The blend Fillioux produced was unlike anything available at the time: a collection of long-aged eaux-de-vie assembled with a depth, power, and roundness that set a new standard for what cognac could be. Maurice called it X.O — Extra Old. Hennessy X.O was the world's first cognac ever designated Extra Old, and it invented the category that every other XO in existence has followed ever since.
More than 150 years later, the blend is still assembled from over 100 eaux-de-vie — each selected by the Hennessy Master Blender from the four premier crus of the Cognac region, each aged in young oak barrels that impart power and energy before time gradually rounds them into something extraordinary. The eaux-de-vie in Hennessy X.O range from ten to thirty years of age. The youngest components provide the fire; the oldest provide the silk. The result is the cognac that defines the category it created: deep amber, richly complex, with candied fruit and rising spice on the nose, a full voluptuous body, and a finish of dark chocolate, oak, and sweet cinnamon that can last for minutes. Presented in the iconic decanter bottle with the embossed vine and grape motifs, housed in Hennessy's signature gold gift box.
ABV / Proof
| Producer |
Jas Hennessy & Co., Cognac, France (Maison Fondée en 1765) |
| Origin |
Created 1870 by Maurice Hennessy — the world's first Extra Old (XO) cognac |
| Type |
Extra Old (XO) Cognac |
| Blend |
Over 100 eaux-de-vie, ranging from 10 to 30+ years of age |
| Aging |
Aged in young French oak barrels in the four premier crus of Cognac |
| Presentation |
Iconic embossed decanter bottle, includes gold gift box |
| Proof |
80 Proof |
| ABV |
40% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
France, Cognac |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep, luminous amber — rich and complex in the glass
Nose: Candied fruit, dried fig, dark chocolate, and a wave of rising spice — the oak barrels give the initial aromas a powerful, concentrated intensity that opens into something elegant with time
Palate: Full, voluptuous, and perfectly balanced — layers of dried fruit, leather, tobacco, peppery spice, and cocoa with an underlying oak character that grounds and unifies everything. Both powerful and refined
Finish: Exceptionally long and warming — sweet vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and oak linger for minutes. This is what "Extra Old" means
FAQ
What does XO mean in cognac?
XO stands for "Extra Old" — a classification that Hennessy itself invented in 1870 when Maurice Hennessy created the original blend. Legally, XO cognac must contain eaux-de-vie aged for a minimum of ten years, though premium XO expressions like Hennessy include components aged far longer. The XO category represents the pinnacle of standard cognac classification, above VS and VSOP, and it exists because of this bottle.
How should Hennessy X.O be served?
Neat, in a tulip glass or a wide-bowled snifter, at room temperature — the warmth opens the aromatics and the glass shape concentrates them. A single large ice cube is also excellent, gently chilling the cognac without overwhelming the complexity. Hennessy X.O is occasionally used in the most premium version of cocktails like a Sidecar or a Stinger, but its depth and price make it most rewarding as a sipping experience.
Where can I buy Hennessy X.O online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway — fast, insured shipping nationwide.
