🥃 Rémy Martin XO
Rémy Martin XO cognac: 85% Grande Champagne, spirits aged 10 to 37 years; 40% ABV.
Rémy Martin XO is an X.O. category cognac from the Rémy Martin house, in which 85% of the spirits come from Grande Champagne and 15% from Petite Champagne. According to Difford's Guide, the strength is 40% ABV, and the spirits are aged from 10 to 37 years. It is a typical 40% XO.
Production. Difford's Guide describes a blend of about 300 spirits with an average age of around 25 years. In mid-2003 the house released the modern XO Excellence in place of XO Special; this coincided with a rule change under which the youngest spirit in an XO must be at least 10 years old. The house distils the wine on its lees in small copper stills and matures it in Limousin oak.
Why this matters to you. XO is older and softer than VSOP and 1738, with notes of dried fruit, caramel and spice. Compare it with VSOP on strength and taste. Check the label. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | house founded 1724; XO Excellence mid-2003 (per Difford's Guide) |
|---|---|
| EU category | brandy/cognac, AOC Cognac |
| Legal basis | AOC Cognac (cahier des charges); EU PDO Cognac |
| Raw material | white wine; 85% Grande and 15% Petite Champagne |
| Distillation method | double distillation on lees, in small copper stills |
| Cask type | Limousin oak |
| Minimum maturation | XO — at least 10 years for the youngest spirit; spirits aged 10–37 years (per Difford's Guide) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Rémy Martin XO → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 VS, VSOP, XO
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Fine Champagne
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Rémy Martin, 🥃 Cognac
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, 🥃 Louis XIII de Rémy Martin, 🥃 Rémy Martin VSOP, 🥃 Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, 🥃 Louis XIII de Rémy Martin, 🥃 Rémy Martin VSOP, 🥃 Hennessy
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that XO is a cognac aged exactly 10 years?
No. 10 years is the minimum for the youngest spirit; Difford's Guide describes spirits in the blend up to 37 years old.
What is the strength of Rémy Martin XO?
40% ABV according to Difford's Guide; check the label.
How does XO differ from VSOP?
By age: V.S.O.P. starts at 4 years, X.O. at 10 years for the youngest spirit; XO also has a higher share of Grande Champagne (85%).
What to read next
- 🥃 Louis XIII de Rémy Martin — The house's oldest line: 100% Grande Champagne, youngest spirit at least 40 years old; 40% ABV.
- 🍷 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.
- 🥃 Hennessy — Cognac house in the town of Cognac in Charente, founded in 1765 by the Irish officer Richard Hennessy; now part of Moët Hennessy.
Similar
🥃 Rémy Martin VSOP · 🥃 Louis XIII de Rémy Martin · 🥃 Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal · 🥃 Hennessy Fine de Cognac · 🥃 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
- Difford's Guide: Remy Martin XO Excellence (40 %; 85 % Grande and 15 % Petite Champagne; about 300 eaux-de-vie, 10–37 years; launched mid-2003)
- Difford's Guide: Rémy Martin and Co S.A. (est. 1724; only Fine Champagne; double distillation on the lees; Limousin oak; range)
- 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)