VSOP
Aged spirit designation
VSOP is a grade of brandy, especially cognac and armagnac, indicating the spirit has been aged at least four years.
The initials stand for "Very Superior Old Pale." VSOP sits between VS (Very Special, aged two years) and XO (Extra Old, aged longer): She ordered a VSOP cognac after dinner.
Spirit from fermented fruit
- eau-de-vieUnaged fruit distillate
- grapesClustered vine fruit
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- pot-stillBatch distillation vessel
Hennessy · Courvoisier · Martell · tasting · sipping · snifter · aroma · palate
Advanced in years
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- oakQuercus genus member
- barrelsCylindrical storage vessels
- cellarUnderground storage room
vintage · reserve · wood · mellowing · complexity · smoothness · amber · color
Added cost for better
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- refinedPurified or cultured
elegant · high-end · quality · connoisseur · sommelier · decanting · gift · celebration
brandy
Spirit from fermented fruit
- eau-de-vieUnaged fruit distillate
- grapesClustered vine fruit
- distillationPurification via vaporization
pot-still · Hennessy · Courvoisier · Martell · tasting · sipping · snifter · aroma · palate · bouquet
aged
Advanced in years
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- oakQuercus genus member
- barrelsCylindrical storage vessels
cellar · vintage · reserve · wood · mellowing · complexity · smoothness · amber · color · oxidation
premium
Added cost for better
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
refined · elegant · high-end · quality · connoisseur · sommelier · decanting · gift · celebration · digestif
- luxury goodsfine jewelry, luxury watches, Swiss watches, gold watches, platinum jewelry
- spiritsghost, vodka, rum, whiskey, brandy
- Brandybrandy, cognac, grappa, pisco, eau de vie
- label termsbrand name, logo, ABV, alcohol content, country of origin
- premium spiritscognac, scotch, bourbon, single malt, aged whiskey
- Rhum Agricolesugarcane juice, Saint James, Montebello, Dillon