Cognac, XO Rouge

• XO Cognac produced by Maison Hardy in Cognac, France
• Appellation Cognac Fine Champagne Contrôlée
• Distilled from Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes
• Wine is distilled twice in Charentais copper pot stills
• 20 eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne are aged separately by Maison Hardy then blended
• Aged 10–20 years in lightly toasted Limousin French oak barrels
• Aromas of green apple, graham cracker, and grated cinnamon introduce a palate of dry, savory herbs and fresh pear with a spike of toasted baking spices and tobacco and a hint of buttermilk biscuit topped with sea salt
• 40% ABV

Lean and dry, yet lithe and expressive, this “Extra Old” Cognac is sure to please afficionados while welcoming casual brandy drinkers to the fold. It’s perfectly suited to a neat glass with no embellishments but has the clove-and-cinnamon structure ideal for a superlative Harvard or Cognac-only Sazerac.