Learn more about the different Cognac ages
Learn more about the different Cognac growth areas
Delamain XO Pale & Dry is the flagship Cognac of Maison Delamain and an invitation into the world of ultra-premium Grande Champagne Cognacs. First created in 1920 by Jacques and Robert Delamain, this XO expression is crafted exclusively from eaux-de-vie sourced from the Premier Cru of Cognac: Grande Champagne. Aged well beyond the minimum 10 years required for XO, this blend is matured in old French oak barrels with both pre- and post-blending aging phases to achieve its renowned elegance.
This Cognac is made without added sugar or caramel, showcasing Delamain’s commitment to purity and authenticity. The result is a natural, aromatic spirit that expresses the full character of its terroir. Pale & Dry offers a powerful nose with notes of apricot, citrus, and roasted nuts, and a delicate palate that evolves gently with length and grace.
The Cognac is presented in a tall, clear bottle with an embossed glass seal and a soft blue capsule, housed in a vibrant blue box featuring gold details and an illustration of the Delamain estate. The packaging emphasizes both sophistication and authenticity, aligned with Delamain's refined aesthetic.
Delamain XO Pale & Dry is best enjoyed neat at room temperature. It suits contemplative moments and is ideal for experienced Cognac lovers as well as whisky drinkers seeking authenticity and artisanal expression. This is a Cognac made to explore slowly, without distraction.
| Grape variety | Ugni Blanc |
| Still size | 25 hL |
| Distillation | Without lees or with fine lees |
| Cellar conditions | Dry upper levels, humid lower levels |
| Oak provenance | Old French oak |
| Oak grain and toast | Old barrels only, never new oak |
| Additives | No |
| Cellar master | Charles Braastad |
| Vineyard | 20 ha at Bellevigne, Grande Champagne |
| Founded | 1824 (roots: Ranson & Delamain, 1762) |
| Current generation | 9th generation |
| Oldest cognac in the cellar | 1823 and 1847, in demijohn |
Information confirmed by the producer.
Flavour profile
I consider this cognac one of the most comprehensively satisfying spirits I have ever tried. The manner in which the various elements combine to create this cognac's subdued, yet rich and distinctive character, makes it the one I can consistently recommend to anyone who wishes to experience the premium...
What a lovely delicious cognac this is. I think I could enjoy this cognac exclusively for the rest of my life. It's not in your face, but beautifully surrounds your tongue with a wonderful encompassing experience that tells you it's one of a kind. A taste for the senses.
Fascinating nose. Assam tea and fresh cut apple with citrus traces and a touch of hazelnut. Tannic and floral on the palate. Lots of complexity. It warms up as the finish develops with peppery spice and licqorice shaping its end. But there’s lime juice bursting through at times. It keeps changing...
Delamain Pale & Dry XO is unparallel value in the often, overpriced XO market. This is the quintessential British cognac, designed in 1920 for the British market. Pale and dry, just like I like my spirits. Very complex cognac. Nose: soft and elegant. Vanilla and poached pairs and red apples. Rose...
I got this on the day of French Bastille Day. :) Amazing that there were No color and No sugar added!! A true “pure” aged cognac. BOUQUET: sweet caramel with oak. TASTE: silky grapes. FINISH: lingering orange.
The most recognizable cognac for all I tried. Appearance: light, amber gold. Nose - dried fruits, vanilla, camomile. Palate - rich, juicy, bright and a bit spicy. Deamain's solution for eau-de-vieux assemblage works just fine. Finish - medium, inspiring for another sip. Good with coffee...
Until recently I was a VSOP drinker, but after reading many of the reviews posted here, I decided to expand my horizons to XO, Napoleon, and Extra. By way of comparison, I have tried and reported on Remy Martin XO, Courvoisier Napoleon, Daniel Boujou VSOP and Daniel Boujou XO, Frapin VSOP, and finally...
The first thing one notices after pouring a measure of this wonderful Cognac into a tulip glass is the color, which is a light golden tone, rather than the deep amber of many other brands of similar age and composition. The nose is lighter and reminiscent of spring orange blossoms, and a definite...
Founded in 1824 and still guided by the ninth generation of the Delamain family, Delamain embodies a vision of cognac rooted in observation, patience and respect for nature. Specializing exclusively in Grande Champagne, Cognac’s first and finest cru, Delamain crafts only rare eaux-de-vie, guided by ancestral savoir-faire and a non-interventionist approach.
The style shines in Pale & Dry XO (42 %), a modern classic defined by floral finesse, dried apricot notes and perfect balance. Delamain XXO moves into deeper, gourmand territory, with notes of ripe fruit and spices, matured in the House’s oldest cellars.
The Pléiade trilogy showcases rare single-vineyard, single-vintage and single-cask marvels—bottled unblended, unfiltered and uncompromisingly pure. At the summit sits L’Oiseau Rare, a blend of the cellar’s most elusive casks, offering near-endless length. From vine to glass, Delamain’s meticulous, nature-led philosophy yields Cognacs of unmatched purity, finesse and timeless elegance
