PProvenance
Enter
← Back to the plate
spirits brandy reserve 40%

Delamain Pale and Dry XO Grande Champagne

Cognac, France
Delamain Pale & Dry is the benchmark for Grande Champagne Cognac in its purest expression. Minimum 20 years in Limousin oak; no caramel colour; no boisé (oak extract) addition. The pale gold colour is natural — from the spirit itself, not addition. Lighter, more floral, and more delicate than most XOs; extraordinary finesse and length.
The deductive profile Library
appearancepale gold — natural colour from aging alone
nosejasmine, rose, dried apricot, chalk mineral, light vanilla, very subtle rancio
palateextremely elegant, dry finish, long floral-mineral length
signaturethe driest and most elegant XO — the sommelier's choice
Service
glasstulip cognac glass
servingneat; 30-40ml pour; allow to open 2-3 minutes
temperature18-20C

Open The Library to see this section in full.

Open The Library
The quality ladder Library

Open The Library to read the full Quality Hierarchy.

Open The Library
jasmine, rose, dried apricot, chalk mineral, light vanilla, very subtle rancio

The pour exists; it simply hasn't crossed to your shelf yet.

This look is counted — the gap is the signal that brings it here.

Know who should carry it?

Name the importer, shop, or distributor who belongs on this page. If the checks confirm them, your cellar gets deeper — and you'll be the first to know.

complement
cheese
Delamain Pale Dry's pale refined character bridges the aged Comté; both are expressions of the finest French tradition
classic cheese
complement
confection
Delamain Pale and Dry's Grande Champagne elegance pairs with the citrus-chocolate confection; subtle and refined
classic digestif
complement
food
Delamain Pale and Dry's refined delicacy pairs with the madeleine's buttery lemon character; a Cognac salon pairing
classic casual
complement
dessert_pastry
Madeleine and Cognac is an elegant French after-dinner ritual: the honey-lemon madeleine's delicacy mirrors Delamain's pale restraint; dipping the madeleine creates an intimate tea-Cognac moment
classic digestif
contrast
dairy_fermented
Delamain Pale & Dry's floral elegance and chalk mineral create a refined counterpoint to Roquefort's barnyard intensity. The cheese's saline blue character meets the spirit's mineral precision; the pear provides a fruity bridge.
established cheese
complement
dessert_pastry
Delamain's pale elegance and apple-fruit tertiary notes bridge with thin apple tart; the Calvados in the preparation echoes the apple-tree spirit family while the Cognac's restraint matches the tart's simplicity
established digestif
complement
charcuterie_cheese
Delamain's extraordinary restraint is matched by Comté's subtle complexity; the cheese's gentle nuttiness and fig jam's sweetness mirror the spirit's dried fruit without overpowering its delicacy
established digestif
complement
dessert_pastry
A baba soaked in Delamain creates a spirited dessert-digestif combination unique in French pastry; the spirit's delicacy prevents the baba from becoming too heavy; served warm with Chantilly and the same Cognac in a glass
suggested dessert
Provenance