Overall (85)

Martell Cordon Bleu XO brings back memories of tasting with friends in the old city, a bottle that feels both familiar and a little grand. I appreciate the Borderies influence here it gives a touch of roundness and subtle florals that are not easy to find in every XO. There is a clear sense of quality without being too showy, which suits my taste for tradition and quiet depth.

Aroma

On the nose, I'm greeted by oak and gentle plum right away, with pear coming through as I sit longer with it. There are also soft baking spices hiding beneath, like a spice drawer left open. Maybe not the most powerful aroma, but it has something elegant that draws me back for another sniff.

Taste

The first sip gives me more of that oakwood, but it never feels dry or tired. Plum is perhaps the strongest fruit note for me, pear is there too, but more as a background. The spice is present but controlled (which I prefer), adding warmth without taking over the whole palate.

Finish

The finish is steady and smooth, lasting longer than I expected for 40%. It leans into oak and spice at the end, just a hint of fruit left behind.

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)

Michel Forgeron XO from Grande Champagne feels like an old friend for someone who likes to collect, especially at this higher strength. There is a certain seriousness to it, not flashy but giving depth if you take your time. It is not exactly dry all the way, a bit more sweetness than I often look for, but still mostly aligned with my tastes.

Aroma

First impression gives me caramel and coffee with the oak showing clear but not too dominant. I also pick up some leather and nuts in the background, which is always a pleasure for me. Maybe there is cinnamon too but just a little, nothing sharp.

Taste

On the palate, it is full and quite powerful, you notice the 45%. Leather and oak stand out first, then some caramel and walnut appear as you go. If you wait a little, there is also a touch of spice that reminds me of cinnamon; overall, it is well-structured and satisfying for those who enjoy this style.

Finish

The finish is long enough to be memorable. More walnut lingers with gentle coffee and oak notes staying around after the swallow. It maybe leaves just a hint of sweetness at the end that I do not need, but nothing too much out of balance.

Overall (86)

Delamain XXO is one I was waiting a long time to try, and it did not disappoint. The style is unmistakably Grande Champagne, showing real maturity and a depth that feels earned, not just aged for the name. I like the restraint here, nothing flashy or sweet, just proper structure and plenty of old-world charm for a collector like me.

Aroma

The nose gives me mostly wood and leather at first, with a bit of walnut sneaking in after it breathes. It's quite dry, hardly any fruit jumping out, but that works for how I like it. Maybe there is some pepper too but not so much that it takes over.

Taste

On the palate, I'm getting more of that wood and leather influence straight away, classic and almost comforting, with rancio coming through in the background. There's some walnut and pepper as well. No tropical fruit or sweetness to distract; instead it's focused and dry, which suits my taste very well.

Finish

Finish is long enough but stays dignified, no fireworks but a steady fade of oakwood, nuts, and that little touch of rancio I appreciate so much. Leaves my mouth just asking for another quiet sip.

Overall (84)

Marancheville XO feels like the kind of cognac I reach for at the end of a day when I want something thoughtful but not too flashy. Grande Champagne always draws me in, and this bottle does have that underlying sense of elegance I expect. It is not overly sweet or showy, but there's a seriousness here that appeals to my collector side.

Aroma

The nose gives me a classic impression: wood is clear, joined by a little nuttiness (I think hazelnut more than walnut), and then some distant dried fruit. Maybe not the most flamboyant aroma, but what is there feels genuine and well-aged.

Taste

On the palate, it's dry as promised, with wood and nuts leading the way. The oak is full but never harsh for my taste, and there are some prune and rancio notes hiding underneath, these I always look for. Fruit is more subtle; you feel it more as a background echo than as bright flavor. Maybe if you prefer something juicier this would feel restrained, but for me it's just right.

Finish

Finish holds steady with wood and nut lingering, a bit of leather sneaks in if I pay attention. Not endless, but long enough to make me pause before next sip. I might wish for just a touch more complexity at the end, but it's still 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 (80)

Hennessy VSOP is of course a bottle with real pedigree, and I have a certain respect for its place in the cognac world. Still, as a collector who usually prefers greater age and a drier style, I find this expression just a little sweeter and more rounded than my usual taste. But I can see why so many reach for it; it is reliable and has a good oak backbone that keeps things interesting even if the blend leans more on fruit and vanilla than I crave.

Aroma

On the nose, there's a clear note of dried fruits, maybe leaning toward raisin or apricot, along with vanilla that is quite direct. Some oak comes through too but it's not overwhelming; just enough to remind you of its structure.

Taste

The palate is smooth, almost creamy, with that vanilla again upfront. Dried fruits are here as well, perhaps not as complex as I wish but pleasant. The oak really builds mid-palate, which suits me, although the sweetness from the fruit and vanilla stays present all along.

Finish

Finish is medium length for me, showing mostly the oakwood and some lingering vanilla sweetness. Not much rancio or depth to chase after but it fades in a balanced way. Would be better with more dryness or an old walnut edge.