The Brandy Rating System
Brandy has a rating system to describe its quality and condition. These can usually be found near the brand name on the label.
If you’re a newbie to brandy drinking, here’s how to figure out what your label means.
- A.C. - Aged 2 years in wood.
- V.S. - Very Special or 3-Star, aged at least 3 years in wood.
- V.S.O.P. – “Very Superior Old Pale" or 5-Star, aged at least 5 years in wood.
- X.O. – "Extra Old", Napoleon or Vieille Reserve, aged at least 6 years. Napoleon at least 4 years.
- Vintage - Stored in the cask until the time it is bottled with the label showing the vintage date.
- Hors D'age - These are too old to determine the age.