A. Hardy X.O. Fine Champagne Cognac, France

In 1863, a London importer named Anthony Hardy settled along the banks of the River Charente in France and founded Maison Hardy, one of the oldest and prestigious cognac houses in the country. Hardy quickly immersed himself in French culture, going so far as to adopt the Gaelic form of his name, Antoine. In 1869, his hard-work and dedication to Cognac were rewarded when Maison Hardy Cognac Fine Champagne was awarded the Diploma of Excellence at the Amsterdam exhibition, one of the most prestigious awards at the time. Today, Bénédicte Hardy represents the fifth generation of Hardy Cognac makers. "We have always asserted our own, very particular spirit," says Hardy. "Our cognac style is the exact opposite of robust, and we wanted the colors of the collection to embody the mild character, finesse and daring style that are our hallmarks." Hardy XO Bronze Decanter Cognac is a blend of Grande and Petite Champagne cognacs. The Grande and Petite regions of Cognac are known for their rich, chalky soil and produce the finest grapes for crafting cognac in the region. After the grapes have been harvested and distilled, the cognac is matured for a minimum of 20 years in French Limousin oak casks. As a result of this two-decade long beauty rest, the cognac has a beautiful, floral aroma with touches of raisins, figs and brown sugar. The aroma gives way to notes of caramel, chewy leather, spices and dates on the palate, and ends with a touch of cinnamon, cloves and caramelized sugar. Hardy XO Bronze Decanter Cognac was the highest rated cognac at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2013, where it earned a score 98 points and was described as simply "beautiful." In addition, it earned a score of 90-95 points from Wine Enthusiast, which called it "opulent" and "plump." Pick up a bottle today!