Review: Delamain “Pale & Dry” XO Cognac (2025)

Back in 2008 we had our first (primitive) encounter with Cognac producer Delamain and its Pale & Dry offering — an XO that stands at the beginning of the operation’s range. The expression dates back to 1920 and is made exclusively from eaux-de-vie of Grande Champagne, matured in 350-litre barrels of old Limousin oak.

In 2025 we received a fresh bottle to give it a fresh look and review. Let’s dig in.

Delamain “Pale & Dry” XO Cognac (2025) Review

Extremely floral on the nose, almost to a fault, this Cognac showcases a spray of perfumed elements that include jasmine, lilac, and a sharper bite of thyme. Those highly fragrant elements soften in time to reveal some sweetness — brown butter, dusted with baking spice, heavy on the cloves. There’s a real Christmas vibe here, which is nice because I happened to be sipping this for review on Christmas Eve.

The palate is just as perfumed as the nose, with enduring notes of potpourri clinging to the tongue. It’s never off-putting thanks to balancing layers of vanilla, oily fruitcake, and some gingerbread notes that build with time in glass. Fresh flowers continue to dominate on the finish, here showing off more of a rose hip quality, with a touch of red berry and chocolate on the fade-out.

It’s as delicate an XO as you’ll find on the market — and a huge win for fans of this aggressively floral style.

84 proof.

A- / $120 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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