XO Cognac Singapore | Aged Premium Cognac

Frequently Asked Questions — XO Cognac Singapore

What is XO cognac?

XO cognac is the prestige grade of cognac, where XO stands for Extra Old. Under the rules of the Cognac region's governing body, the youngest eau-de-vie in an XO blend must be aged at least ten years in French oak, a minimum raised from six years in 2018. In practice the great houses use eaux-de-vie far older, so XO is rich, deep and built for slow sipping rather than mixing, with layered dried fruit, oak, spice and rancio. It sits above VS and VSOP in the hierarchy and below the prestige cuvées such as Hennessy Paradis. At The Liquid Collection, XO and XXO cognac runs from Merlet XO at $156 SGD up to Hennessy XXO at $888 SGD, covering every great house and several boutique producers.

How old is XO cognac?

By law the youngest eau-de-vie in an XO cognac must be at least ten years old, a standard in force since 2018, when the minimum was raised from six years. Because XO is a blend, most bottles contain spirit considerably older than the legal floor — often fifteen to thirty years or more for the leading houses — which is what gives XO its concentrated, mellow character. The next grade up, XXO or Extra Extra Old, requires a minimum of fourteen years. The Liquid Collection stocks both XO and XXO, including Hennessy XO, Martell Cordon Bleu and the rarer Martell Chanteloup XXO and Davidoff XXO, so Singapore buyers can taste how extra ageing deepens the spirit.

What is the difference between VSOP and XO cognac?

The difference is age and purpose. VSOP, Very Superior Old Pale, requires the youngest eau-de-vie to be aged at least four years and is the versatile, cocktail-friendly tier; XO, Extra Old, requires at least ten years and is a richer, more concentrated spirit made for sipping neat. VSOP shows bright fruit and lighter oak, while XO develops dried fruit, spice, leather and rancio — the prized aged note unique to long-matured cognac. Price reflects this: a great-house VSOP sits under $100 SGD, while XO begins around $156 SGD and climbs steeply. If you want a daily pour or a cocktail base, choose VSOP; for a special-occasion sipper or gift, choose XO. The Liquid Collection stocks both tiers, and the team can advise which suits your needs.

What is XXO cognac?

XXO stands for Extra Extra Old, the oldest official cognac grade, recognised by the regulating body in 2018. The youngest eau-de-vie in an XXO blend must be aged at least fourteen years, and in practice the spirit is usually much older, giving an exceptionally deep, mellow profile with pronounced rancio, dried fruit, leather and spice. It sits above XO and is reserved for premium bottlings. At The Liquid Collection, the XXO selection includes Martell Chanteloup XXO at $502 SGD, Davidoff XXO at $608 SGD and Hennessy XXO at $888 SGD. These are contemplative, after-dinner cognacs and prestigious gifts rather than everyday bottles, and they reward unhurried sipping at room temperature.

How many XO cognacs does The Liquid Collection stock?

The Liquid Collection stocks around 21 XO and XXO cognacs, priced from $156 to $888 SGD. The selection covers all four great houses — Hennessy XO at $268 SGD, Martell Cordon Bleu at $238 SGD, Courvoisier XO at $262 SGD and Rémy Martin XO — plus boutique and family houses such as Merlet, ABK6, Camus, Bisquit & Dubouché and Davidoff. Above XO sit three XXO bottles, and the range includes larger formats and a rotating set of limited and Lunar New Year editions such as the Hennessy X.O Year of the Horse 2026 and Martell XO CNY 2026. Every bottle is available for free islandwide delivery in Singapore.

Which is the best XO cognac?

There is no single best XO — each great house has a distinct style. Hennessy XO, at $268 SGD, is bold, powerful and spicy, the benchmark many drinkers measure others against. Martell Cordon Bleu, at $238 SGD, is built around the Borderies cru and is smooth, mellow and nutty. Courvoisier XO, at $262 SGD, leans rich and fruit-forward, while Rémy Martin XO is rounded and floral thanks to its Fine Champagne blend. Among boutique houses, Camus and Bisquit & Dubouché offer characterful alternatives, and Merlet XO is an excellent-value entry. The best choice depends on whether you prefer power or elegance. The Liquid Collection can help you match a house to your palate over WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856.

How should I drink XO cognac?

XO cognac is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a tulip-shaped glass that concentrates its aromas. Pour a small measure, warm it gently in the hand, and sip slowly to let the layers of dried fruit, oak, spice and rancio unfold. It is a contemplative, after-dinner spirit and pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, dried fruit and nuts, or a fine cigar. Unlike VS and VSOP, XO is wasted in cocktails — its complexity is the point. Avoid chilling or adding mixers; a single drop of water can open the aromatics if a cask-strength style feels closed. The Liquid Collection stocks XO from every great house so you can build a tasting flight and explore the styles side by side.

What is Martell Cordon Bleu?

Martell Cordon Bleu is one of the most famous XO-tier cognacs in the world, created in 1912 by Édouard Martell. It is built around eaux-de-vie from the Borderies, the smallest of Cognac's crus, prized for giving smooth, rounded, nutty cognacs. The result is a mellow, elegant blend with notes of candied fruit, gingerbread, hazelnut and cocoa rather than aggressive oak. At The Liquid Collection it is stocked at $238 SGD for the 70cl, with a litre format and Lunar New Year editions also available. Cordon Bleu is a classic gifting bottle and a benchmark of the smoother Martell house style, making it an ideal introduction to XO for drinkers who find Hennessy XO too powerful.

What makes Hennessy XO special?

Hennessy XO is widely credited as the original XO cognac, created in 1870 by Maurice Hennessy, which is how the Extra Old category itself began. It is a powerful, full-bodied blend drawing on a large reserve of aged eaux-de-vie, with a signature profile of bold spice, dark chocolate, candied fruit and a long, warming finish. As the flagship of the world's largest cognac house, it is also the most recognised XO globally, which makes it both a benchmark sipper and a prestige gift. The Liquid Collection stocks Hennessy XO at $268 SGD for the 70cl, alongside a 100cl format and limited editions such as the Year of the Horse 2026 and the Qiu Shuting artist edition.

How much does XO cognac cost in Singapore?

At The Liquid Collection, XO and XXO cognac ranges from $156 to $888 SGD. The most accessible entry is Merlet XO at $156 SGD, followed by the great-house XOs: Martell Cordon Bleu at $238 SGD, Camus XO at $238 SGD, Courvoisier XO at $262 SGD and Hennessy XO at $268 SGD. Boutique and premium bottles run higher — Bisquit & Dubouché XO at $280 SGD, Davidoff XO at $296 SGD and Martell XO at $388 SGD — while the XXO tier reaches $502 SGD for Martell Chanteloup XXO, $608 SGD for Davidoff XXO and $888 SGD for Hennessy XXO. Limited Lunar New Year and collaboration editions sit between these. All prices are in Singapore dollars for 70cl unless a larger format is noted, with free islandwide delivery.

Does The Liquid Collection deliver XO cognac across Singapore?

Yes — The Liquid Collection delivers all XO and XXO cognacs free islandwide across Singapore, with no minimum order and a standard delivery window of 3 working days. Orders can be placed online at any time, and because XO cognac is a frequent gift and corporate purchase, the team is available on WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856 for stock checks, gift presentation, bulk orders and advice on choosing between houses. The collection point and office is at 2 Sims Close, #02-10, Singapore 387298. Whether you are buying a single bottle of Hennessy XO or a rare XXO for a special occasion, the same free delivery terms apply.