Updated June 2026.
“For the money” is a sticker, not a BNIC grade. VS, VSOP, and XO are age bands. Typical US VS bottles are 40% — a 1.5-ounce pour is one NIAAA drink. This is not a 2022 ranking and not a 2026 MSRP list.
Related: cognac for beginners, cognac straight, fifth of Hennessy.
Age grade vs price
| Reading tool | What it is | Typical US ABV |
|---|---|---|
| VS / VSOP / XO | BNIC age | Often 40% |
| Cognac | AOC + 27 CFR 5.145 | Label |
| Sticker | Not a grade | — |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four VS pours are four drinks. Pour math: Hennessy drinks.
Sources
- BNIC grades. TTB 27 CFR 5.145. Typical US 40% prior house flags — read the neck.
- NIAAA December 2025.