🥃 Courvoisier Extra
The oldest Courvoisier line, from Grande Champagne and Borderies; the brand's website gives an age of up to 50 years.
Courvoisier Extra is one of the oldest lines of the Courvoisier cognac house. The brand's website describes it as an elegant and rare blend of spirits at the peak of its flavour, with a long finish. Difford's Guide mentions this line as Initiale Extra, differing only in name. It is served neat.
Production. According to the brand's website, the blend is made from Grande Champagne and Borderies with a small share of Petite Champagne distilled on lees; the age is up to 50 years. Difford's Guide puts the share of Borderies at around 30 to 35%. The bottle is drop-shaped, as in the Prestige collection. The described taste is truffle and violets, then port and cedar, with a long spicy finish and a note of fruit cake. This line is meant for small measures.
Why this matters to you. 'Up to 50 years' refers to the oldest spirit, not the age of every component: the law requires at least 10 years for Extra. Compare it with X.O and XO Royal by their crus. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | Courvoisier house — early 19th century; the year of this line is not given in the sources |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | AOC Cognac (cahier des charges); EU PDO Cognac |
| Raw material | Grande Champagne and Borderies spirits with a share of Petite Champagne (per the brand's website) |
| Distillation method | twice in copper stills; part of the Petite Champagne distilled on lees |
| Minimum maturation | Extra — at least 10 years for the youngest spirit; the brand states up to 50 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV (cognac minimum) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Courvoisier Extra → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Courvoisier, 🥃 Cognac
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Courvoisier V.S, 🥃 Courvoisier V.S.O.P, 🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal, 🥃 Courvoisier X.O, 🥃 Courvoisier V.S, 🥃 Courvoisier V.S.O.P, 🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal, 🥃 Courvoisier X.O, 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO, 🥃 Hennessy Paradis, 🥃 Hors d'âge cognac
Frequently asked questions
Is every spirit in Extra 50 years old?
No: the brand's website says up to 50 years, meaning the oldest components; the legal minimum for Extra is 10 years.
Why is the line called Initiale Extra in Difford's Guide?
That is the name used in the guide; the brand's website presents it as Courvoisier Extra.
Which crus are in Extra?
Grande Champagne and Borderies with a small share of Petite Champagne, according to the brand's website.
What to read next
- 🥃 Courvoisier X.O — Older Courvoisier line marked X.O; the brand's website gives 11 to 25 years, Difford's Guide 15 to 30 years.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO — Cognac age statements, based on the youngest spirit in the blend.
- 🥃 Hors d'âge cognac — An age mark for cognac: the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend has been aged in oak for at least 10 years, the same as for XO.
Similar
🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal · 🥃 Courvoisier X.O · 🥃 Courvoisier V.S · 🥃 Courvoisier V.S.O.P · 🥃 Hennessy V.S · 🥃 Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Courvoisier: Extra (Grande Champagne and Borderies, aged up to 50 years)
- Difford's Guide: Courvoisier S.A. (producer; Jarnac; owner Gruppo Campari; range)
- Difford's Guide: Cognac summarised (crus, double distillation, minimum ages VS/VSOP/XO, oak 270–450 l)
- Cahier des charges de l'AOC «Cognac», arrêté du 10 juin 2026, BO Agri 18.06.2026 (comptes d'âge, mentions de vieillissement)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)