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Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Martell: official expressions from each brand are used to distinguish the brand, statutory Cognac age category, representative bottle shapes and accessories.
All three names are Cognac brands, not three statutory grades. Begin by understanding VS, VSOP and XO under the Cognac rules, then identify the brand expression: Hennessy offers V.S, V.S.O.P and X.O; Rémy Martin offers VSOP and XO; and Martell offers VSOP, Cordon Bleu, XO and others. Check the bottle shape, box and accessories against the specific expression and period.
Brand examples are not interchangeable
| Brand | Examples of official expressions | Bottle-shape / labelling clues |
|---|---|---|
| Hennessy | V.S, V.S.O.P, X.O, Paradis, Richard Hennessy | X.O has its distinctive curved bottle; record limited-edition designs separately |
| Rémy Martin | VSOP, XO; Louis XIII is a separate prestige brand within the same group | The official VSOP page lists 700/750 ml and 40% vol; do not treat Louis XIII as the name of an XO grade |
| Martell | VS, VSOP, Noblige, Cordon Bleu, XO, L’Or | Cordon Bleu and XO are separate official expressions; record the swift emblem and Cordon Bleu wording on the bottle separately |
The statutory age category comes before the brand story
BNIC states that age is determined by the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend: at least 2 years for VS, 4 years for VSOP, 10 years for XO, Extra and Hors d’âge, and 14 years for XXO. These are minimum thresholds; they do not mean that same-grade expressions from different brands use the same blend or bottle shape.
- First transcribe the official expression and category, then record the volume, ABV, front and back labels, and bottle base.
- Cross-check the appearance of older and current presentations against dated official material, purchase documents and the item itself.
- Describe a bottle as crystal only when the specific expression is explicitly made in crystal; the term does not apply to every Cognac.
Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Martell: brands, grades and bottle shapes — FAQs
Is Cordon Bleu the equivalent of XO for every brand?
No. Cordon Bleu is an official Martell expression, whereas XO is a Cognac age category. Do not place them in the same field.
Is Louis XIII simply Rémy Martin XO?
No. Louis XIII has its own brand and expression system. File the item under the official name shown on the bottle, rather than substituting the parent company or the generic term XO.
Can bottle shapes be compared directly merely because both expressions are XO?
No. First align the brand, official expression, period, volume and market release. Different brands use different design languages and changed their presentations at different times.
Primary sources and evidence levels
- Official Cognac source: age categories and labels: directly supports the minimum ages and label fields for VS, VSOP, XO and XXO.
- Official Hennessy range: directly supports the official names of Hennessy expressions.
- Official Rémy Martin VSOP page: directly supports the VSOP expression, available volumes and 40% vol.
- Official Martell range: directly supports official names including Cordon Bleu, XO and L’Or.
Related resources on this site
- Spirits Collection
- Spirits and Cognac Appraisal Checks
- Louis XIII and Hennessy X.O: Brand, Expression, Bottle and Accessories
- Older Hennessy and Martell: Bottle Shape, Era and Volume
- Buyback Guides
Organise the item using the fields in this article
To document an item covered by “Hennessy, Rémy Martin and Martell: Brand, Grade and Bottle Differences”, use one consistent identifier for all photographs of that item, and retain views of the front and back, key markings, accessories and any visible anomalies. You may send the details via WhatsApp, or call +852 9453 0784. Getting in touch does not mean that an appraisal or quotation has been completed.
