🥃 Courvoisier V.S.O.P
Middle-age Courvoisier line from four crus; up to 12 years per the brand's website, with jasmine and gingerbread notes.
Courvoisier V.S.O.P is the middle-age line of the Courvoisier cognac house. According to the brand's website, it is a floral, complex cognac from four crus: Borderies, Petite Champagne, Grande Champagne and Fins Bois. Difford's Guide describes it as VSOP Exclusif, released in 1994.
Production. The brand writes about ageing for up to twelve years in the house's own casks. The taste is described as ripe stone fruit, summer jasmine, gingerbread and a silky finish. The brand suggests serving it with Brie cheese. Difford's Guide puts the share of Borderies at around 20%. The legal minimum for the V.S.O.P designation is 4 years for the youngest spirit.
Why this matters to you. V.S.O.P sits between V.S and X.O: richer than the young V.S, but simpler than the older versions; it is often chosen for mixed drinks too. It is the floral version of the house, not simply an older V.S. Check the designation on the label. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | VSOP Exclusif line — 1994 (per Difford's Guide); Courvoisier house — early 19th century |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | AOC Cognac (cahier des charges); EU PDO Cognac |
| Raw material | spirits from Borderies, Petite Champagne, Grande Champagne and Fins Bois |
| Distillation method | twice in copper stills |
| Minimum maturation | V.S.O.P — at least 4 years for the youngest spirit; the brand states up to 12 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV (cognac minimum) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Courvoisier V.S.O.P → 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 Extra, 🥃 Courvoisier V.S, 🥃 Courvoisier Extra, 🥃 Courvoisier V.S, 🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal, 🥃 Courvoisier X.O, 🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal, 🥃 Courvoisier X.O, 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO, 🥃 Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
Frequently asked questions
Is V.S.O.P a cognac aged exactly 12 years?
No: the designation guarantees at least 4 years for the youngest spirit, while the brand gives 'up to 12 years' as the oldest age in the blend.
Why is it called VSOP Exclusif in Difford's Guide?
That is how the guide describes this cognac; the brand's website presents it simply as VSOP.
Which crus is it made from?
According to the brand's website, Borderies, Petite Champagne, Grande Champagne and Fins Bois.
What to read next
- 🥃 Courvoisier Extra — The oldest Courvoisier line, from Grande Champagne and Borderies; the brand's website gives an age of up to 50 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.
- 🥃 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.
Similar
🥃 Courvoisier V.S · 🥃 Courvoisier XO Royal · 🥃 Courvoisier Extra · 🥃 Courvoisier X.O · 🥃 Hennessy Paradis · 🥃 Hennessy V.S
⚠️ 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: VSOP (four crus, aged up to twelve years, jasmine and gingerbread notes)
- Difford's Guide: Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif (launched 1994; four crus incl. about 20 % Borderies)
- 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)