What Does VSOP Mean? VS, VSOP & XO Explained
Cognac Explained
VSOP stands for Very Superior Old Pale. On a bottle of cognac, it means the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend has been aged in oak for at least four years. VS (Very Special) means at least two years, and XO (Extra Old) at least ten.
What Does VSOP Mean?
VSOP is short for Very Superior Old Pale. It’s one of the official age designations for cognac, and it tells you the minimum age of the youngest eau-de-vie (the distilled grape spirit) in the bottle: at least four years in oak.
The name has a London connection. According to Hennessy, the future King George IV of England asked the house in 1817 for a “Very Superior Old Pale” cognac. That blend became Hennessy V.S.O.P, and the initials are now used across the whole cognac industry.
You’ll see it written as VSOP or V.S.O.P. Both mean the same thing.
VS vs VSOP vs XO: The Age Rules
Cognac’s age designations are set by the BNIC, the official body for cognac. Each one is based on the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend.
| On the label | Stands for | Youngest eau-de-vie is at least |
|---|---|---|
| VS | Very Special | 2 years |
| VSOP | Very Superior Old Pale | 4 years |
| Napoléon | — | 6 years |
| XO | Extra Old | 10 years |
| XXO | Extra Extra Old | 14 years |
Good to know: these are minimums. Cognac houses blend many eaux-de-vie, and most blends contain spirits older than the youngest one on the label. The XO minimum was raised from six to ten years in April 2018, so older articles (and older bottles) may still say six.
What Is Cognac?
Cognac is a brandy made in the Cognac region of south-west France. It starts as a white wine, made mainly from Ugni Blanc grapes, which is distilled twice in copper pot stills. The spirit is then aged in French oak barrels, where it gains its colour and much of its flavour, before the cellar master blends eaux-de-vie of different ages to create each cognac.
Only brandy that follows these rules and comes from the Cognac region can be called cognac.
VS, VSOP or XO: Which Should You Choose?
The letters tell you about age, not which bottle you’ll enjoy most. Think about how you’ll drink it.
VS for Mixing
The youngest category and a natural fit for cocktails and long drinks, such as a Sidecar or cognac with ginger ale. Shop VS cognac.
VSOP for Both
A versatile middle ground. Enjoy it over ice, with a mixer, or in a cognac Old Fashioned. Shop VSOP cognac.
XO for Sipping
Usually enjoyed neat, at room temperature, so you can take your time with it. A popular choice for gifting. Shop XO cognac.
For serving ideas, read our guide on how to drink cognac.
Cognac Bottle Picks
A few of the cognacs we stock, by designation.
VSOP
VSOP and Cognac Questions
What does VSOP stand for?
Very Superior Old Pale. It means the youngest eau-de-vie in the cognac has been aged in oak for at least four years.
What is the difference between VS and VSOP?
Age. VS (Very Special) cognac must be aged for at least two years; VSOP must be aged for at least four.
What is the difference between VSOP and XO?
XO (Extra Old) cognac must be aged for at least ten years, compared with four for VSOP. XO is usually sipped neat, while VSOP works both neat and in drinks.
How old is XO cognac?
Since April 2018, the youngest eau-de-vie in an XO must be at least ten years old. Before that, the minimum was six years.
Can you mix VSOP cognac?
Yes. VSOP works over ice, with a mixer, or in cocktails such as a cognac Old Fashioned.
Find Your Cognac
Not Sure Which to Choose?
Taste before you buy at our Brixton Village shop. Tell us how you like to drink it and we’ll help you find the right bottle.
