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Most frequently mentioned flavors
Overall (89)
Martell XO is much closer to the kind of cognac I usually enjoy. I’m more into woody and warm flavours, so the mix of fruit, spice and deeper wood notes really worked for me. It feels rich and full-bodied, but still smooth enough to drink easily. Definitely one I’d come back to.
Aroma
Dried fig and spice come through first, but what I liked most was the warmer woody side underneath. There’s also a slightly nutty note that makes the aroma feel deeper and richer. Really nice.
Taste
Rich and smooth, with fig and red fruit at first, followed by spice and a deeper woody flavour. The fruit is noticeable, but it doesn’t make the cognac feel too sweet, which I really liked. The wood and spice give it much more character.
Finish
Long, warm and woody, with spice and a slightly nutty note staying around.
Overall (86)
Martell XO is, for me, a bottle with real pedigree and it carries a certain gravity from the first glance to the last sip. The blend of Borderies and Grande Champagne crus is right in my comfort zone, elegant but not showy, and the XO grade gives this cognac the kind of maturity I collect for slow evenings.
Aroma
On the nose, I get dried fig and walnut straight away, a little dried fruit sweetness but not too much.
Taste
The palate is more powerful than the aroma suggests, spices are present, mixed with raisin and again that nice walnut note. There's a gentle richness but it stays dry overall, no syrup feeling.
Finish
the finish is warming and smooth with just enough complexity to keep me thinking about next sip
Overall (85)
There are some edges that don't quite reach the fireworks of a vintage Martell, but it's still a proper treat for anyone who loves a bit of showmanship in their glass.
Aroma
First nosing, I get sandalwood right away, something about that Tronçais oak really comes through for me. There's also raisin and dried fig lurking underneath, which makes it feel lush without being overdone. Not the deepest nose I've had from Martell, but it's layered enough to keep me sniffing between sips.
Taste
On the palate, it opens up with walnut and pepper; definitely delivers on the spicy front (which I love). The dried fruits, raisin especially, roll in next, balanced by just enough oak to remind you this is XO territory. If anything I wish there was a hint more chocolate or tobacco sneaking in like you sometimes find in old borderies blends, but can't complain about what's here.
Finish
Still, leaves you wanting another sip rather than overwhelming your palate.
Overall (84)
Martell XO is clearly spicier and peppery-er than other big-house XOs - pretty much everyone who's tried it notices that. Ratings are mostly high, some people rate it near-perfect, though a few felt it needs time to open up in the glass, or that it's a bit too sweet without enough pepper to balance things out.
Aroma
Pepper is what almost everyone mentions first both black and pink peppercorns. Then fig, walnut, sandalwood, coriander. Some dried fruit shows up too (prune, plum, raisins), red berries, blackcurrant bud, gingerbread, orchard fruit. A couple of people also picked up honey, beeswax, and elderflower when nosing it more carefully.
Taste
On the palate it's round and fruity, fig and walnut carry over from the nose, plus you can feel the strength of the Grande Champagne spirit underneath. A lot of reviewers note cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, sultanas, and that same black pepper. Body is firm and spicy, but not harsh.
Finish
Long, warm, spicy — oak, pepper, raisins, fig, and red fruit come back at the end, sometimes with a bit of chocolate or tobacco. One reviewer did say the finish is the weak spot though sweet, but missing enough peppercorn to keep it balanced.
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