Courvoisier XO 700ml Cognac

Overall (88)

Smooth, rich and easy to drink, but a little too fruity and sweet for my taste. I usually prefer the drier, more structured character I get from Grande or Petite Champagne. Still enjoyable though.

Aroma

Fig, raisin and plum come through first, with candied orange adding some sweetness. There’s also a light iris note that gives it a softer floral side.

Taste

Rich and smooth, with raisin, fig and plum being the most noticeable to me. The candied orange makes it rounder and sweeter, while the fruit stays quite full and layered.

Finish

Long and warm, with sweet fruit and creamy notes staying around. Good finish, though I’d prefer it drier and woodier.

Overall (85)

Courvoisier XO is the kind of bottle I reach for when I want a good balance between fruit and a bit of floral character, and this one ticks most of the boxes for me.

Aroma

On the nose, I immediately got raisin and floral notes, violet stood out with some iris underneath. There was a touch of orange zest too, which kept things lively but not sharp. If anything, I wish there were just a bit more depth up front, but it's still welcoming.

Taste

The palate leans into fruit: plum and raisin are pretty clear, with vanilla trailing in right after. There's enough richness to keep me interested without veering into syrupy territory

Finish

Finish is warm and pretty mellow, vanilla lingers with an echo of dried fruit. It doesn't stick around forever but leaves things on a smooth note. No harshness at all, just easy and pleasant to sip.

Overall (85)

This feels like a richer, sweeter, and more polished step up from Courvoisier VSOP. It’s easy to drink, but it still has enough oak, dried fruit, and spice to keep it interesting. I wouldn’t call it the most intense or challenging XO out there, but it works well if you prefer a smoother, fruit-forward style over something very dry or aggressively woody. The profile described across reviews consistently leans toward candied fruit, floral notes, vanilla, and crème brûlée rather than heavy rancio or pepper.

Aroma

On the nose I get dried fruit first — fig, raisin, plum, and some candied orange peel. There’s also a floral side, especially violet and iris, with vanilla, toasted almond, and a crème brûlée-like sweetness in the background. With a little time in the glass, oak, cocoa, and a light leather note show up too

Taste

The palate is soft, rounded, and fairly sweet. Orange peel, raisins, dried apricot, vanilla, and caramel are the main notes for me, followed by almond, hazelnut, and a little dark chocolate. There is some oak and mild spice underneath, but they support the sweeter fruit-and-dessert character rather than taking over

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with dried orange, dark caramel, old oak, and a little leather. Toward the end it becomes slightly drier, with some nutty bitterness and gentle spice, but it stays smooth rather than harsh