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Hennessy X.O and the right cognac glass
Tulip or balloon? The glass changes how a great cognac tastes. What to pour Hennessy X.O into, the glass made for it, and how to serve it.
Updated October 2026
Rewritten by Alper Billik, Advanced Sommelier
3 min read
The short answer: pour Hennessy X.O into a tulip-shaped cognac glass, not a wide balloon. The tulip holds the aromas and lets the alcohol settle; the big balloon sends the alcohol straight to your nose. The glass made for it is Riedel's Vinum Cognac Hennessy.
About Hennessy X.O
Maurice Hennessy created X.O in 1870, and it was one of the first cognacs to carry the name: X.O means “extra old”. Today the rules say every eau-de-vie in an X.O cognac must be aged at least ten years. That age is what you pay for: dried fruit, spice, leather and a long, warm finish. The right glass lets you find them.
Tulip or balloon?
- The tulip: a small bowl that narrows at the top. It gathers the aromas and lets the sharp edge of the alcohol fade. This is how cellar masters taste.
- The balloon, or snifter: a wide bowl on a short stem, the classic image of cognac by the fire. It looks grand, but the large surface pushes the alcohol at your nose before the fruit.
- A good white-wine glass works better than a balloon if that is all you have.
My picks
Made for Hennessy
Riedel Vinum Cognac Hennessy
A tulip-shaped cognac glass that carries Hennessy's name. If you drink Hennessy X.O, this is the one.
For tasting
A cognac tasting tulip
The small tulip glass used to taste spirits in cellars and tasting rooms. Inexpensive, and good for every brown spirit.
The luxury choice
Zalto Digestif
Zalto's mouth-blown glass for spirits: as light and thin as its wine glasses. A beautiful gift for a cognac lover.
How to serve Hennessy X.O
- At room temperature. Never warm the glass over a flame: it only makes the alcohol louder.
- A small pour, about 30 to 40 ml (1 to 1.5 oz).
- Let it rest a few minutes in the glass before you smell it.
- Water or ice? A few drops of water open the aromas. A single large ice cube softens the alcohol but quiets the aromas too. Try it both ways.
For more on spirits glasses, see my guide site Universal Wine Glasses. For wine, start with the best wine glasses.
Questions people ask
What glass should I drink Hennessy from?
A tulip-shaped cognac glass. Riedel's Vinum Cognac Hennessy is made for it.
Is a snifter the right glass for cognac?
It is the classic image, but a tulip is better: it holds the aromas and lets the alcohol settle.
What does X.O mean on cognac?
Extra old. Every eau-de-vie in the blend must be aged at least ten years.
How much cognac should I pour?
About 30 to 40 ml (1 to 1.5 oz). A small pour leaves room in the glass for the aromas.
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