Delamain Pale & Dry X.O. Cognac 750ml

Delamain was founded in 1920 by Jacques and Robert Delamain, though the family's roots in the Cognac region reach back much further. From the start, the house committed to a single focus: producing only XO and older cognacs, skipping younger VS and VSOP categories entirely in favor of long, patient aging. In 2017, Delamain joined the Bollinger family group, retaining its independence while gaining additional resources, and in 2021 became one of a small number of houses admitted to the Comité Colbert, France's association of luxury goods makers.

Pale & Dry XO is made exclusively from eaux-de-vie of Grande Champagne, the region's Premier Cru, matured in old 350-liter Limousin oak barrels in Delamain's historic cellars along the Charente. True to its name, the cognac carries no added sugar or caramel coloring, and rather than being cut with water to reach bottling strength, it is proofed down using vieilles faibles, extremely old Grande Champagne cognacs that have naturally dropped in strength after decades in barrel. The result is a lighter, clearer spirit that lets the underlying age and terroir show through.

The color is a pale, bright gold. On the nose, white flowers like jasmine and orange blossom lead, followed by honey, apricot, and citrus, with brown butter and baking spice emerging as it opens in the glass. The palate is light and delicate, carrying dried fruit and vanilla into a long, distinctly dry, powdery finish. It rewards slow, unhurried sipping, neat and at room temperature.