Cognac - The Basics

All Cognac is brandy, but not all brandies are Cognac:

Brandies can be produced anywhere in the world, whilst a Cognac can only be named so if produced within a set of geographic boundaries, know as the Appellation d'Origine (AOC)

Situated on the western coast of France, the Cognac AOC is north of the Bordeux wine region.

Cognac is designated into 3 main classifications:

The classifications are all related to the aging of the cognac in oak casks.

VS (Very Special) is a cognac that has spent a minimum of 2 years in oak.

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is the next classification, which has a minimum aging period of 4 years.

XO (Extra Old) has a minimum aging period of 6 years, although many Cognacs of this classificaton will have spirit which has been aged up to or beyond 20 years.