Delamain XO Pale & Dry 750ML

Delamain XO Pale & Dry 750ML is a Grande Champagne cognac bottled at 40% ABV, sourced exclusively from France's most prestigious cru. Awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast and named to their Top 100 Spirits of 2017, this expression stands apart through a rare production practice: its proof is reduced not with water but with very old, low-strength cognacs known as vieilles faibles, and no caramel coloring is ever added — hence the "Pale & Dry" name.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Grande Champagne, Cognac, France  |  XO Classification  |  Distillery: Delamain (est. 1920)

Production & Heritage

Delamain was founded in 1920, though the family's roots in the Cognac region stretch back centuries. The house works exclusively with eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne — the Premier Cru of the cognac appellations — double-distilled to no higher than 72% ABV in traditional copper pot stills. What makes this XO expression genuinely unusual is the proofing method: rather than diluting with water, Delamain blends in vieilles faibles, extremely old Grande Champagne cognacs that have naturally fallen to around 15% ABV over decades in barrel. The result is a spirit where every drop, even the liquid used to bring it to bottling strength, is aged Grande Champagne cognac. The absence of added caramel coloring gives the liquid its characteristically lighter hue, letting the true age and terroir show through.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with white flowers — jasmine, lilac, and orange blossom — followed by honey, ripe pear, and quince marmalade. Give it time in the glass and warm notes of brown butter and baking spice emerge beneath the floral perfume.

Taste: The entry is round and gently sweet, with pear and raisin giving way to a spiced mid-palate of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Toasty brioche and vanilla develop alongside walnut and a distinctive salted-caramel salinity. The palate maintains a butterscotch richness while staying balanced and never cloying.

Finish: Long, silky, and palate-coating, with a gradual shift toward dryness. Lingering notes of warm citrus, gentle spice, and a membrillo-like quince persist well after the last sip.

How to Drink Delamain XO

This cognac is best appreciated neat in a tulip glass at room temperature, where its layered florals and spice have space to develop — a few drops of water can open it further but are rarely necessary. For cocktails, it brings uncommon depth: a Sidecar benefits from the floral complexity and dry finish, which prevents the drink from tipping sweet; a Vieux Carré showcases the cognac's spice and walnut character alongside rye and vermouth; and a Brandy Alexander plays the butterscotch richness against cream for a dessert-worthy combination.

Best For

• Gifting a cognac enthusiast who values terroir-driven, single-cru expressions
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a fine cigar
• Building a cognac collection with a benchmark Grande Champagne XO
• Hosting a spirits tasting comparing Grande Champagne against other crus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Delamain XO taste like? Delamain XO Pale & Dry leads with white flowers, honey, and pear on the nose, then delivers a richly spiced palate of cinnamon, nutmeg, butterscotch, and walnut. The finish is long, silky, and distinctly dry with lingering quince and warm citrus.

How does Delamain XO compare to Rémy Martin 1738? Rémy Martin 1738 is a Fine Champagne cognac (a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie), while Delamain XO sources exclusively from Grande Champagne and carries a higher XO age classification. Side-by-side comparisons from reviewers generally position the Delamain as more complex and refined, particularly in its floral aromatics and dry finish.

Is Delamain XO good for sipping neat? Delamain XO Pale & Dry is widely regarded as an exceptional neat-sipping cognac, with its silky texture, layered complexity, and long finish making it ideally suited to slow, contemplative drinking.

Where is Delamain XO made? Delamain XO is produced by the Delamain cognac house, founded in 1920, located in the town of Jarnac in the Cognac region of southwestern France. All eaux-de-vie used come exclusively from the Grande Champagne appellation, the Premier Cru of the Cognac region's six growing zones.

What foods pair well with Delamain XO? Dark chocolate truffles complement the butterscotch and spice notes beautifully. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes the nutty, toasty character. Tarte Tatin or poached pears mirror the fruit-forward aromatics. Foie gras plays against the dry finish with contrasting richness. Roasted walnuts or candied pecans extend the nutty mid-palate flavors.

What sizes does Delamain XO come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Delamain XO worth the price? Delamain XO Pale & Dry positions as a premium XO cognac that competes well above its price tier, given its exclusive Grande Champagne sourcing, unique proofing method, and consistent critical praise including 94 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Why Delamain XO?

The practice of proofing with vieilles faibles — very old, low-strength cognacs — instead of water is genuinely rare in the industry and means every molecule in this bottle is aged Grande Champagne spirit. Combined with the refusal to add caramel coloring, the result is a cognac that expresses its terroir with unusual transparency. The 94-point Wine Enthusiast score and Top 100 Spirits recognition confirm what the glass reveals: a deeply floral, elegantly spiced XO that finishes dry and long. For drinkers seeking a cognac defined by origin and honest production rather than cosmetic sweetness, Delamain XO Pale & Dry is one of the most compelling expressions in the category.