VSOP cognac is also sometimes described as "Very Superior Old Pine". This is a blend in which the youngest cognac could be stored in wooden barrels for at least four years. However, as with the VS cognacs, the average age is usually higher. The origin of this name goes back to an order from the British Crown in 1817. The royal family ordered a "brandy pale", a pure cognac that was not sweetened or colored. At that time it was customary to add a lot of sugar to brandies.
