Origin and production
Maxime Trijol XO Classic is blended from mature Cognac eaux-de-vie based principally on Ugni Blanc and selected from across the appellation. After traditional double distillation in copper pot stills, extended maturation in French oak develops depth, colour and the rounded texture associated with the XO category.
The cellar master's work lies in combining casks of different ages and origins so that fruit, flowers, spice and rancio form a coherent whole. The resulting blend places aromatic harmony ahead of overt wood, with maturity expressed through breadth and persistence.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep amber with flashes of mahogany and polished gold.
Nose
Dried apricot, fig and orange peel open into violet, cocoa, toasted oak and soft leather, with vanilla and baking spice emerging as the Cognac rests.
Palate
Rich and rounded, with mature fruit, liquorice and cocoa framed by well-integrated oak. Floral notes keep the palate lifted, while vanilla, walnut and warm spice carry into an exceptionally long, settled finish.
Serving suggestions
Pour neat into a tulip glass and give it time to unfold, adding only a drop of water if desired. Pair sparingly with dark chocolate, walnut tart or an aged Comté, allowing the Cognac rather than the accompaniment to remain central.
Background story
Maxime Trijol is an independent family house whose distilling history began in 1859. Based in Saint-Martial-sur-Né, successive generations have developed an integrated approach encompassing vines, distillation, cask ageing and blending.
XO Classic is the mature, contemplative counterpart to the more fruit-led VSOP. Its mahogany colour, floral-to-spiced progression and long finish show how extended oak ageing can deepen Cognac without erasing the underlying fruit that defines the Trijol style.
