VS

• When VS appears on a Cognac label it means Very Special. Three stars (***) can also be used for this designation. It means the Cognac is a year and a half old.

VSOP

• VSOP on a Cognac label stands for Very Special Old Pale. Reserve is an alternate designation for VSOP. To be VSOP, Cognac must be four and a half to six and a half years old.

Aging

• VS and VSOP are marketing designations that imply quality. Producers blend Cognacs and brandies by mixing an older vintage with a newer vintage. Single-vineyard producers use the approach of blending old vintages together. This gives a consistent and superior taste. Single vineyard and Estate Bottled mean the same thing and indicate the highest-quality Cognac.