Like bourbon or Scotch whisky, Cognac is a highly regulated category of spirits that has a strict, long-standing legal definition. It’s a brandy at its core, but like Champagne or Armagnac, which must be produced in the regions for which they’re named, it must be produced in the eponymous Cognac region of France (or Appellation d’Origine Controlee). And, like many of these long standing French regional traditions, there are strict rules that govern its production.
To earn the moniker Cognac, this eau-de-vie must be distilled from grapes and aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of two years. Of course, the classifications go even deeper with a number of terms that indicate the minimum age of the brandy that you find inside a bottle. One of the most popular is VSOP.
But what exactly does this ubiquitous acronym mean? We’ve got you covered with the full details—and which bottles to buy.
What Does VSOP Stand For?
VSOP is an acronym that means “Very Superior Old Pale,” and it indicates that the eau-de-vie has been aged for a minimum of four years. There can be much older eau-de-vie in the blend, but the youngest must have spent at least four years in oak barrels. Some people mistakenly believe that VSOP means “Very Special Old Pale,” according to Alexandre Gabriel, Ferrand Cognac owner and master blender. That’s untrue.
“It became part of French regulation in 1983 [with] the Cahier des Charges, the official AOC Cognac regulation,” he says. “The reason it’s in English is because in the 19th century, the first market for Cognac was Great Britain.”
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But the abbreviation and designation came about well before it was regulated by the French government. According to Bénédicte Hardy, international brand ambassador and fifth-generation family member of Hardy Cognac, the term VSOP was first recorded in 1946 but indicated a younger age then. “At the time, three years old was the minimum age,” she says. “Slowly but surely, between 1946 and 1983, VSOP evolved to be what it is today: minimum age of four years.”
Does VSOP Indicate Quality?
In American whiskey, the bottled-in-bond designation means that the liquid meets specific criteria including a minimum age (four years), specific proof (100) and place and time of distillation. With Cognac, a designation like VSOP is a similar assurance of the quality.
“The very precise specifications for Cognac govern each stage of its production, guarantee and protect its quality, and the name of the product which alone has the right to call itself Cognac,” says Dan Nicolaescu, certified Cognac educator with the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC).
Hardy adds that strictly enforcing age designations was an attempt to put Cognac at the forefront of the brandy category by indicating that it stands out in terms of regulations—making this French spirit a benchmark of quality. While the term “VSOP” also appears on some American brandies, there is no actual law governing its usage.
How Does VSOP Cognac Differ from Other Cognacs?
Taste is entirely subjective, but most experts agree that VSOP Cognac is more refined than VS (“very special”), which is aged for at least two years. That’s because with VSOP, that extra time spent in the barrel really starts to show itself in the eau-de-vie, bringing richer, more complex flavors to the palate–especially given that many VSOP Cognacs have been aged for longer than the minimum requirement of four years.
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Just like whiskey or wine, the more time Cognac or any other brandy spends in a barrel, the more color and flavor the wood imparts to the spirit. Gabriel says that while each Cognac house is different, overall VS has a more straightforward character, while VSOP starts to develop complexity.
“You have a hint of dry fruit that [shows on the] nose,” he says. “You don’t have that fresh grapey-ness as much, [which is] delicious in VS. You’re going to have slightly dry raisin notes starting to show, and then vanilla from the barrel… and beautiful floral notes.” Hardy adds that VSOP Cognac has a longer finish, along with a fuller mouthfeel and notes of sweet almond and dried apricot.
How Should You Drink VSOP Cognac?
Like any other spirit, you should drink VSOP Cognac any way you like. That being said, VSOP has enough age on it to enjoy sipping neat or over a large ice cube, but it also works wonderfully in classic cocktails like a Sazerac, Old Fashioned or sidecar.
8 VSOP Cognacs to Drink Right Now
Normandin Mercier 7 VSOP
This delicious and delicate Cognac opens with a distinctly nutty aroma. The palate unfolds pecan and almond, plus vanilla sweetness that lingers into the complex finish. Subtle white flower and pear mingle with ginger and clove on the graceful exhale. 97 Points — Kara Newman
$70 Wine-Searcher
A. de Fussigny VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac
Vanilla and caramel aromas show on the nose. Initially, cocoa and vanilla coat the palate, but tinges of dried dates and violet emerge on the gentle exhale. Clove and black pepper brace up the finish. 95 Points — K.N.
$70 Total Wine & MoreCamus Borderies VSOP Single Estate
Bold vanilla bean and peach nectar on nose and palate are layered with hints of maple and caramel. The velvety, toasty finish is accented with baking spice and a hint of orange peel. Made exclusively with grapes from the producer’s vineyards in the Borderies appellation. 94 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & More
Courvoisier Cognac VSOP
Look for a dark amber hue and restrained aroma. The soft, warming palate opens with red fruit, leading into elongated caramel and hazelnut tones, plus a hint of baking spice. Sip or mix. 93 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Total Wine & More
Godet Cognac VSOP
Nutty, honeyed tones perfume this Cognac. The palate echoes honeycomb and roasted nuts, layering that with a whiff of toasted brioche and a zippy lemon-peel note, before finishing with gentle baking spice. 93 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Liquor Barn
Residence Cognac VSOP
The rich caramel aroma is coupled with a hint of red fruit. Robust vanilla leads into traces of cocoa powder, sandalwood and grapefruit peel, plus an earthy finish laced with nutmeg and ginger. Certified organic. 92 Points — K.N.
$ Varies Fine Wine & Good Spirits
Cognac Frapin VSOP
Initial caramel and oak aromas open to a more red-apple scent. The brisk palate shows some vanilla, but it’s light, underscored by another red-apple note. Vanilla treads lightly on top. A quick baking-spice finish suggests nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. There’s also apple butter, with a vanilla-cream exhale. 92 Points — K.N.
$ Varies International Wine Shop
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Published: January 16, 2024
