Camus XO Cognac 700ML

Description

Camus XO Cognac 700ML is a Borderies-focused extra old cognac bottled at 40% ABV in a 700ml decanter-style bottle. Awarded 94 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute and a Gold Medal from the International Review of Spirits, this expression stands out for its patented Intensit distillation process, which produces a spirit the house claims is up to seven times more aromatic than conventionally distilled cognac.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Borderies, Cognac, France | XO (Extra Old) | Distillery: Maison Camus

Production & Heritage

Maison Camus, founded in 1863, remains one of the largest family-owned cognac houses in France, with its spiritual home in the Borderies the smallest and most prized of Cognac’s six terroirs. The XO is distilled primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes, a high-acidity varietal that generates concentrated aromatic esters during copper pot distillation. What distinguishes this bottling is the house’s patented Intensit process: during the second distillation, the distiller manually samples the first twenty litres of heads litre by litre, selecting only the most aromatic fractions and blending them back into the heart cut. The resulting eau-de-vie then matures in re-toasted cognac barrels, which contribute deeper spice and toast characteristics to the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with savoury bitter apricot and orange peel, then unfolds into layers of exotic fruit and deep cacao. A subtle mineral quality sits underneath, lending complexity beyond the fruit-forward first impression.

Taste: The entry is silky and honey-like in texture, immediately revealing an intense florality a direct hallmark of the Intensit distillation. At mid-palate the profile pivots toward warm spice and toasted oak, with concentrated chocolate and pipe tobacco filling the frame. The Borderies terroir asserts itself through a distinctive richness and roundness that separates this from Grande Champagne-dominant blends.

Finish: Long and intense, carrying dark vanilla, cinnamon bark, and lingering mineral dust. The oak influence is present but controlled, adding structure rather than bitterness.

How to Drink Camus XO

Neat in a tulip glass at room temperature is the ideal starting point the Intensit process rewards patience, and the aromatic layers open considerably after five to ten minutes of rest. A single large ice cube softens the spice notes and draws out more of the apricot and chocolate character. For cocktails, Camus XO works well in a Vieux Carr, where its chocolate and spice amplify the drink’s layered depth; in a Sidecar, its intense orange and apricot notes harmonize naturally with Cointreau and citrus; and in a Sazerac variation (substituting cognac for rye), the florality and cinnamon finish add a distinctly French elegance to the classic New Orleans template.

Best For

• Gifting a cognac enthusiast who appreciates Borderies terroir
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cigar or dark chocolate
• Introducing a whisky drinker to premium cognac through a rich, spice-forward expression
• Building a cognac collection that represents a distinctive house style beyond the major ngociant houses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Camus XO taste like? Camus XO delivers a silky, honey-textured palate dominated by bitter apricot, deep cacao, intense florality, and warm spice, finishing long with vanilla and cinnamon. The Borderies terroir gives it a rounder, richer body than many Grande Champagne-based XO cognacs.

How does Camus XO compare to Rmy Martin XO? Rmy Martin XO is a Fine Champagne blend (Grande and Petite Champagne) known for balanced, crowd-pleasing fruit and oak, while Camus XO leans heavily on Borderies fruit and the Intensit process for a more concentrated, aromatically intense profile. Drinkers who favor floral richness and chocolate depth often gravitate toward Camus, while those seeking a more classically structured cognac may prefer Rmy Martin.

Is Camus XO good for sipping neat? Absolutely the Intensit distillation was designed specifically to maximize aromatic complexity, making neat sipping the most rewarding way to experience the full range of flavors. Allow five to ten minutes of rest in the glass to let the deeper cacao and spice notes emerge.

Where is Camus XO made? Camus XO is produced by Maison Camus in the Borderies region of Cognac, France the smallest of the six officially designated cognac terroirs, prized for its round, floral eaux-de-vie.

What foods pair well with Camus XO? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cacao and spice in the cognac. Roasted duck with an orange glaze echoes the bitter orange peel aromatics. Aged Comt or Gruyre cheese complements the toasty oak character. Crme brle aligns with the vanilla and caramelized sugar notes. Dried apricots and candied walnuts provide a simple, effective pairing that highlights the fruit and spice simultaneously.

What sizes does Camus XO come in? The standard size is 700ml, which is the format most widely available internationally; a 50ml miniature is also produced for sampling or travel.

Is Camus XO worth the price? Camus XO positions as a premium XO expression, competing in the same tier as Rmy Martin XO and Hennessy XO. Its 94-point BTI rating, Gold Medal from the International Review of Spirits, and the proprietary Intensit distillation process give it a strong value argument for drinkers seeking something distinct from the larger ngociant houses.

Why Camus XO?

The patented Intensit distillation process is genuinely rare in the cognac world no other major house employs the same litre-by-litre heads selection technique during second distillation. That method, combined with Camus’s deep Borderies vineyard holdings in the region’s most coveted and smallest terroir, produces an XO with an aromatic intensity difficult to replicate. The 94-point score from the Beverage Tasting Institute and a Gold Medal from the International Review of Spirits confirm that the technique translates to the glass. For drinkers who know Grande Champagne-dominated XOs well and want to explore what Borderies-forward cognac can achieve at its peak, this bottling is one of the most compelling options in the category.