What does XO mean in whiskey?

(Extra Old):
X.O. (Extra Old): It’s fun that X.O. actually just means “extra old,” because that just seems like some straight-up street terminology. The “extra” here means at least 6 years old, though starting in April 2016 the new minimum will be 10 years old. (See, it’s a bit confusing.)

Is XO a liquor?

XO stands for “Extra Old”, and describes a Cognac consisting of eaux-de-vie that have been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years. Even though the youngest blend in an XO Cognac can be as young as ten years, an XO usually has an average age of between 15 and 20 years, sometimes older.

What does XO on rum mean?

extra old
Borrowed from cognac labels, XO means “extra old,” and it certainly is at 25 years, spent in a mix of sherry, bourbon, and French oak barrels.

What does the XO mark on French cognac stand for?

If you’re looking for an even better option, look for a drink labeled XO, which stands for Extra Old. The aging of this cognac is more than 6 years. For cognac, such a marking is the highest, it will not get the best, even after 10-20 years of being in barrels.

Is XO better than VSOP?

Is XO or VSOP better? An XO cognac must be aged for a minimum of 10 years, in comparison a VSOP must age for a minimum of four years. It comes down to personal preference which is better but an XO is usually considered as superior.

Is XO a whiskey?

Crown Royal XO is a skillfully blended Crown Royal Whisky finished in cognac casks, resulting in both an extraordinarily complex and smooth expression. This is an elegant whisky that is deliciously balanced with hints of vanilla, spice and rich dry fruit.

Why is Hennessy XO so expensive?

Why is Hennessy so expensive? Cognac is typically more expensive than other spirits. The main reason is that the distillation process itself is more expensive. The spirits base ingredient is grapes, rather than grains, and distilling wine from juice is also an expensive process.

What is better VSOP or XO?

What’s the difference between XO and VSOP?

VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years. XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least six years old. Cognacs such as “Napoleon” or “Old Reserve” are equivalent to XO cognac.

What does VS VSOP XO stand for?

Very Superior Old Pale
The designations you see on Cognac labels—VS (Very Special), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) and XO (Extra Old)—are a guarantee of how long a Cognac has been aged. VS indicates that the Cognac has been aged at least two years, VSOP at least four years and XO (Extra Old) at least six years.

Why is XO so expensive?

The ingredients used to make XO sauce themselves are expensive. Per The Spruce Eats, the ingredients that go into making XO sauce, along with the laborious process of making it which can take a couple of hours, are what really make the condiment so costly.

How do you drink XO Cognac?

As an aperitif, cognac is usually consumed neat. Adding a drop of water will reveal more fruity, floral, and spicy aromas, making the tasting experience smoother.

What is XO liquor?

XO stands for Extra Old, and it describes a Cognac consisting of eaux-de-vie that have been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of six years. However, XOs often have a much older average age, with many XO Cognacs being 20 years old and older.

What does VSOP and XO Cognac mean?

VSOP stands for “Very Superior Old Pale”: VSOP cognacs are created from eaux-de-vie aged for at least four years. The VSOP category includes designations such as “Old” or “Reserve”. XO stands for “Extra Old”: XO cognacs are made only from eaux-de-vie at least six years old.

What is X.O. Cognac?

X.O. is an aging designation given to Cognacs , that means “extra old”. The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) is the governing body that monitors the production of Cognac to ensure that it meets all required standards. In 1983, the BNIC established designations with respect to classifying Cognacs by age.