Cellar master: A cellar master is the person who supervises the making of the cognac, including its aging process and the blending of barrels together. Cognac: Cognac is a variety of brandy produced in Cognac, France and meeting certain legal requirements regarding the fruit used and the distillation and aging processes. Eau-de-vie: Eau-de-vie is a clear, colourless fruit brandy that is produced by means of fermentation and double distillation. Sometimes eau-de-vie is used to refer to brandy made from any fruit besides grapes. Vintage: Refers to a cognac that is a single blend from one particular year. VS cognac: The “VS” stands for “very special” and refers to a cognac blend consisting of eau-de-vie that has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two years. VSOP cognac: The “VSOP” stands for “very special old pale” or “very superior old pale” and refers to a cognac where the youngest brandy in the blend has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of four years. XO cognac: The “XO” stands for “extra old” and refers to a cognac blend consisting of eau-de-vie that has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of six years. They often have a much older average age, many of 20 years or older.