Each Cognac is identified by its label, based on a number of mentions and designations.
Reading a Label
Ageing DesignationsNote: To be sold to the public, a Cognac must have been aged in oak cask for at least two years counting from the end of the distillation period, that is April 1st of the year following the harvest (compte 2). Once bottled, a Cognac, unlike wine, doesn't evolve anymore. Therefore it retains the same age indefinitely.
The executive decision of August 23, 1983 codified the use of the designations based on the length of ageing of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend.
Generally speaking, Cognac Master Blenders use eaux-de-vie that are much older than the minimum requirement for their blends. In fact, the most prestigious designations may have aged for dozens of years in oak casks before being presented to the public.
EXAMPLE OF AN EAU-DE-VIE DISTILLED IN NOVEMBER 2005
This table shows the minimum mandatory oak cask ageing for the youngest eau-de-vie in a Cognac blend. It does not refer to the age of the finished blend contained in a Cognac bottle.
Vintage CognacsCognacs made with eaux-de-vie from a single harvest . The year of the harvest is specified on the label. Producing vintage Cognac is not a common practice.
Lexicology of the Cognac Controlled Appellation of Origin
FineThe term "Fine" was authorized by the Law of 1928* to designate an eau-de-vie of Controlled Appellation of Origin of wine or cider origin. Note: this term does not provide any special indication regarding the age.
* Only available in french version