Full Review

Branson Cognac

Branson Cognac
XO Premier Cru Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
91 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$249

Branson Cognac
XO Premier Cru Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
Amber color. Aromas of heirloom apple, buttered brioche, candied cherry, finest baking spices, dried apricot, horehound, and dried pineapple with a velvety, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, very complex, very long cappuccino, toasted almonds, hazelnuts swimming in dark chocolate ganache, and smoked meats finish. An endlessly satisfying palate keeps you coming back in this excellent XO Cognac.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Rich
Aroma Aroma: heirloom apple, buttered brioche, candied cherry, finest baking spices, dried apricot, horehound, and dried pineapple
Taste Flavor: cappuccino, toasted almonds, hazelnuts swimming in dark chocolate ganache, and smoked meats
Smoothness Smoothness: Warming
Finish Finish: Normal
Enjoy Enjoy: neat, on the rocks and with cigars
Bottom Line Bottom Line: An endlessly satisfying palate keeps you coming back in this excellent XO Cognac.

The Producer

Sire Spirits

The Producer

Their Portfolio

XO Cognac

Spirits Glass Snifter Brandy.jpg
Serve in a Snifter
X.O. (or extra old) Cognacs previously required a minimum of six years aging for the youngest cognac in the blend, with the average age running 20 years or older. All Cognac houses maintain inventories of old vintage Cognacs to use in blending these top of the line brands. The oldest Cognacs are removed from their casks in time and stored in glass demijohns (large jugs) to prevent further loss from evaporation and to limit excessively woody and astringent flavors.

As of 2016, according to the official Cognac regulatory agency, BNIC, the minimum component age requirement for X.O. Cognac must be 10 years from 2016 onwards. In practice many Cognac houses and brands had been at or above the 10 year requirement for their X.O. expressions, but this is now the legal requirement.