Updated April 2026.
There is no official “best XO for the money.” XO means Extra Old: the youngest eau-de-vie is at least 10 years (BNIC, since April 2018; it was 6). Cognac still bottles at ≥40% ABV. Typical US XO tiles print 40% when the house page omits ABV. A 1.5-ounce 40% pour is one NIAAA drink. Hors d’âge shares the XO floor. No invented ranking or MSRP.
Related: cognac under $200, what cognac is made from, Crown vs Hennessy.
XO is an age floor
| Grade | Youngest eau-de-vie |
|---|---|
| VSOP | ≥4 years |
| Napoléon (common mention) | ≥6 years |
| XO / Extra / Hors d’âge | ≥10 years |
| XXO | ≥14 years |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four XO pours are four drinks. Pour math: Hennessy drinks.
Sources
- BNIC: XO ≥10 years from 2018; XXO ≥14; Cognac ≥40% vol. Typical US 40%.
- 27 CFR 5.145. NIAAA December 2025.