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Overall (85)
A classic name, yes, but behind the label there is a cognac that is certainly worthy of its XO grade.
Aroma
On the nose I find mostly dried fruits and oakwood
Taste
plenty of spice and oak alongside those dried figs I like. Not too heavy or syrupy (thankfully), though sweetness is just a bit above my preference for drier style. still, the rancio does the talking more than the fruit. Some faint chocolate appears on the mid-palate if you look for it.
Finish
Finish is warming and lingering with more oak than I usually want, but also some pleasant leather and walnut impressions that make up for it. Leaves a good memory even if a touch sweet at the end.
Overall (85)
London evenings call for something with presence, and Hennessy XO always brings it.
Aroma
Right off the pour, the nose is thick with dried fruits and a heavy oak note that just sits there, no hiding it. There's a whiff of leather in there too, plus a bit of spiced prune if you go looking for it. Not shy, if anything it's almost showing off.
Taste
Spice comes through straight away, followed by that signature Hennessy oak backbone. I get prune, a good hit of dried fruit, and enough vanilla and leather to keep it interesting without turning sweet.
Finish
Finish is deep and lasts well. there's plenty of warm oak and some lingering spice, though I wish it held onto its fruitiness just a bit longer. Still leaves me satisfied enough to pour another glass.
Overall (88)
Hennessy XO is one of those bottles where the big-name reputation actually makes sense. The profile is rich and quite powerful, with plenty of sweetness up front. Not gonna lie, I’d still prefer something drier if I wanted to sit and dissect a cognac for hours, but as a big, generous XO, this does the job very well.
Aroma
The nose leans heavily into candied fruit.
Taste
It starts with that same candied-fruit sweetness. pepperu spice comes in next, with dark chocolate appearing in the middle and giving the palate a slightly bitter edge. The texture is broad and rounded, and the oak becomes more obvious as you keep sipping.
Finish
The finish is the strongest part for me – long, warm and dominated by lingering oak, with vanilla and spice still hanging around after the fruit has disappeared. It doesn’t just fade away; there’s a proper echo of the earlier flavours, which makes the last few sips pretty satisfying.
Overall (85)
Hennessy XO is always a reference point in the world of old cognac blends, and I find it manages to be both familiar and a little bit grand. The house style leans a touch sweeter than my usual preference, but there's so much to enjoy here that I sometimes forget about that detail. Maybe not the most daring bottle on my shelf, but it's one I respect for its balance and confidence.
Aroma
The nose opens with heavy dried fruits and prune, and some leather peeks through after a moment or two. Oak is present but doesn't trample over everything else, it's nicely in place. There's also a dusting of spice, nothing aggressive, just enough to make things interesting.
Taste
On the palate I get prune, leather, and plenty of oakwood right away. It's full-bodied without being heavy; you taste the French oak influence quite clearly. Sometimes I wish for more rancio depth or walnut edge, but the interplay between fruit and wood is satisfying.
Finish
Finish is lasting with more leather and spice coming forward as it fades. There's maybe a hint of sweetness left behind that is not totally my style, yet overall it closes in an elegant way.
Overall (85)
Hennessy XO truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most recognizable XO cognacs in the world rich, multi-layered, and clearly meant for slow, contemplative sipping rather than a quick shot. It's far from the cheapest option, but the complexity of the profile makes it obvious that dozens of eaux-de-vie of different ages went into the blend. A great choice for an evening with a cigar or as a gift, though those looking for a lighter, "simpler" cognac might find it a bit too intense.
Aroma
The nose opens with a warm wave of dried fruit raisins, a touch of fig immediately intertwined with spicy notes of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper. In the background there's cocoa and dark chocolate, and the final touch brings toasted oak with a hint of leather, altogether forming a genuinely complex, "grown-up" bouquet.
Taste
On the palate it's full-bodied and velvety, with noticeable sweetness from candied fruit and prunes, balanced by a spicy kick the pepper really comes through here. Mid-palate reveals chocolate-vanilla undertones, and the texture stays dense, almost buttery, with no rough edges.
Finish
The finish is long and warm cocoa and oak notes linger well after the sip, with a light spicy heat that fades gradually. Overall, the finish adds a sense of completeness and depth typical of a quality XO.
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