Full Review

Pierre Vallet

Pierre Vallet
XO Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$80

Pierre Vallet
XO Cognac

Category: XO Cognac

Date Tasted:
Country: France
Alcohol: 40%
Medium golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of fig and plum, chocolate covered orange peel, dried mango, and leather and pipe tobacco with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a stimulating, medium-length finish that exhibits overtones of candied orange, mango and dried cherry, leather and pipe tobacco, and spiced candied figs. With its dark fruit and spice on display, pair this with a cigar or enjoy on its own; smooth yet assertive.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Juicy & Smooth
Aroma Aroma: fig and plum, chocolate covered orange peel, dried mango, and leather and pipe tobacco
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with overtones of candied orange, mango and dried cherry, leather and pipe tobacco, and spiced candied figs
Smoothness Smoothness: Smooth
Finish Finish: Normal
Enjoy Enjoy: neat, on the rocks, with cigars and with drops of water
Bottom Line Bottom Line: With its dark fruit and spice on display, pair this with a cigar or enjoy on its own; smooth yet assertive.

The Producer

SARL CHATEAU MONTIFAUD

The Producer

Their Portfolio

92 Pierre Vallet XO Cognac 40% (France) $80.00.

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.