Hennessy X.O 375ML

Hennessy X.O 375ML is a premium Extra Old cognac from Cognac, France, bottled at 40% ABV in a 375ml format. This expression holds a singular place in spirits history: in 1870, Maurice Hennessy created the first cognac to carry the X.O. designation, establishing the classification standard the entire industry still follows. It has earned gold medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Cognac, France  |  Extra Old (X.O.)  |  Distillery: Hennessy, est. 1765

Production & Heritage

Founded in 1765 by Irish officer Richard Hennessy in the town of Cognac, the house has remained one of the most influential producers in the region for over 250 years. Hennessy X.O. is crafted from Ugni Blanc grapes, double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills, and aged in French Limousin oak barrels. What distinguishes this expression is its extraordinary complexity — the Comité de Dégustation blends over 100 individual eaux-de-vie, some aged up to 30 years, to achieve the signature X.O. profile. The 375ml bottle delivers the identical liquid as the full-size format, making it accessible for those looking to experience a benchmark cognac in a smaller measure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich candied fruit and warm vanilla, gradually revealing deeper layers of oak, baking spice, and dried fruit. A subtle chocolate undertone emerges as the cognac breathes in the glass.

Taste: The palate entry is lush with candied and dried fruit, transitioning at mid-palate into warm cinnamon spice and layered oak. A distinct peppery character builds toward the peak, intertwined with dark chocolate and smooth vanilla drawn from decades of Limousin oak maturation.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla, and toasted oak that persist well after each sip. The texture is full and velvety, with a warmth that slowly fades into clean, spice-driven complexity.

How to Drink Hennessy X.O.

Neat in a tulip-shaped glass at room temperature is the ideal way to appreciate the full depth of over 100 blended eaux-de-vie; a few drops of water can open up additional aromatic layers. For cocktails, try a Vieux Carré, where the cognac's peppery spice and dried fruit stand up beautifully alongside rye whiskey and sweet vermouth. A Sidecar highlights the candied fruit and vanilla notes against fresh citrus. An X.O. Old Fashioned — simply cognac, a sugar cube, and Angostura bitters — lets the oak and chocolate character shine without distraction.

Best For

• Gifting a cognac enthusiast who appreciates historically significant expressions
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a fine cigar
• Sampling a benchmark X.O. cognac without committing to a full 750ml bottle
• Building a comparative tasting flight of X.O.-level cognacs from different houses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hennessy X.O. taste like? Hennessy X.O. delivers rich candied and dried fruit layered with warm cinnamon, black pepper, dark chocolate, and vanilla, all supported by deep French oak character. The finish is exceptionally long, with pepper and spice lingering well after each sip.

How does Hennessy X.O. compare to Martell X.O.? Both are flagship X.O. expressions from major Cognac houses, but Hennessy X.O. tends to be bolder and spicier with pronounced pepper and chocolate notes, while Martell X.O. is often described as more floral and fruit-forward due to its emphasis on Borderies eaux-de-vie. Hennessy's blend of over 100 eaux-de-vie also typically yields a broader flavor spectrum than Martell's composition.

Is Hennessy X.O. good for sipping neat? Hennessy X.O. is widely regarded as an outstanding neat-sipping cognac, with the depth and complexity that reward slow, contemplative drinking. The blend's layered character reveals new nuances with each sip and as it warms in the glass.

Where is Hennessy X.O. made? Hennessy X.O. is produced at the Hennessy distillery in the town of Cognac in southwestern France, a house that has operated continuously in the region since its founding in 1765. The grapes used are Ugni Blanc, sourced from vineyards within the legally defined Cognac appellation.

What foods pair well with Hennessy X.O.? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cognac's cocoa and vanilla notes. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano echo the nutty oak tones. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramelized sweetness and vanilla. Roasted duck with a fruit glaze pairs with the dried fruit and spice. Spiced nuts highlight the cinnamon and pepper character.

What sizes does Hennessy X.O. come in? Hennessy X.O. is commonly available in 375ml and 750ml bottles, with a 1L format also produced for select markets.

Is Hennessy X.O. worth the price? Hennessy X.O. positions as a premium cognac expression, and its blend of over 100 eaux-de-vie aged up to 30 years represents significant value within the X.O. tier. The 375ml format offers a lower entry point to experience a historically significant cognac without the full bottle investment.

Why Hennessy X.O.?

No other cognac can claim to have originated the X.O. classification itself — when Maurice Hennessy created this blend in 1870, he defined a category that every cognac house has since adopted. The assembly of over 100 eaux-de-vie aged up to 30 years in Limousin oak gives this expression a breadth and layering that few competitors match at this tier, validated by gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Wine and Spirit Competition. The 375ml bottle provides genuine access to one of the most historically important spirits in the world, delivering the exact same liquid as its full-size counterpart in a format suited to personal exploration or gifting.