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Armagnac

Armagnac is a place in the south west of France, to the west of Toulouse, in the historic Duchy of Gascony. There are sources reporting distillation in the region as early as 1411, but how close this would be to the modern brandy is hard to say. Certainly the Gascons have been distilling grapes here a long time.

As with Cognac, Armagnac began to assume something like its present form in the 17th and 18th century when merchants discovered the effects of ageing in oak on the local spirit. Cognac on the coast near Bordeaux looked to Britain, Holland and the wider world, and became a global industry, whereas inland Armagnac would have been relatively inaccessible until the coming of the railways in the 19th century. This explains the very different character of the two industries. Cognac is vast and global, it exports around 98% of its 180 million bottle production whereas Armagnac produces just 6 million about half of which is consumed in France.

It’s one of the most beautiful parts of France with its castles and little towns nestled in rolling countryside. Much Armagnac is still made by farmers who also make wine, keep livestock and grow maize and tobacco though there are bigger companies like Delord and Janneau which operate as negociants buying in eaux-de-vie and aged spirits.

The region covers around 2,420 hectares (compared with over 75,000 hectares in Cognac) and is divided into three parts: Bas-Armagnac, Haut-Armagnac, and Armagnac-Ténarèze. Bas-Armagnac means ‘low’ because it is less than 120 metres above sea level. Around 50-60% of production is from this sub-region and the sandy, iron-rich soils are said to produce some of the finest grapes in Armagnac. Then there is the tiny Haut-Armagnac, the high ground, up to about 200 metres above sea level, with mainly chalky soils which produce a rare delicate and fruity spirit. It makes up less than 2% of production. Finally, there's Armagnac Ténarèze making up the rest of production, around 40%, with its rich clay and chalk soils leading to a more robust spirit. A lot of Armagnac will be blends of the three regions.

The most popular grape varieties are ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche, and colombard though there are other ones allowed in production. Armagnacs are usually blends but you do see varietal expressions. Once harvested, the grapes are fermented either with wild or cultured yeast to produce a light acidic wine of about 8% ABV. This must be distilled within a few months as it cannot be preserved with sulphur which would be concentrated during distillation.

The distillation process is unusual and worth looking at in some detail. In the 18th century, Armagnac would have been made with pot stills but in the early 19th century a unique style of column still was introduced. This is now the standard for the region though one of the biggest producers, Janneau, is unusual in using Cognac-style pot stills and double-distillation to make a smoother, more elegant spirit. The column is known as an alambic Armagnacais, with a maximum of 17 plates but often as few as four. Unlike the Coffey and Stein stills that were being developed in Ireland and Scotland a little later, the alambic Armagnacais produces a low strength alcohol of between 50-70% ABV which is packed full of congeners. These distinctive copper stills look like something out of Jules Verne and are often fueled by wood, even those belonging to large producers like Château du Tariquet. Usually once lit, these will work 24 hours a day until the entire vintage has been distilled. The distillation season runs from October to March. Often villagers will hold a party known as La Flamme de l’Armagnac to celebrate this special time of the year. Only 48 houses in Armagnac own their own copper still, so to support the rest of the houses, there are five travelling distillers who pull their alambic by tractor around the villages.

These unique stills produce a spirit that’s full of character, sometimes a little fiery in youth, but responds well to long-ageing in wood. Traditionally, Armagnac was aged in local oak though nowadays barrels might come from further north in France. Only 400 litre French wood barrels are allowed and a proportion will be kept in new wood to impart spice and tannin. After decades in wood, the best Armagnac develops a character known as ‘rancio’ with notes of dried apricot, pineapple and walnuts. As in Cognac, much Armagnac is sold with statements that designate a minimum age: VS (two years), VSOP (four years) and XO or Hors d’Age (ten years.) You also see age statements like 10 or 20 years old as in whisky and many vintage releases. These last offer astonishing value for money and are often bottled at cask strength. Many producers have demi-johns of vintage Armagnac dating back to the 19th century. In fact this whole region is a mecca for those who love old wood-aged spirits.

Despite its very traditional image, Armagnac producers are innovating with packaging aimed squarely at the whisky consumer, Islay cask finishes (though these are not allowed to be called Armagnac), and an unaged Armagnac Blanche that’s proving very popular with bartenders. Younger fresher Armagnacs are great in simple cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Sidecar, whereas the older examples are best sipped neat. In Armagnac itself, no meal is complete until you’ve had decent vintage brandy. You can start your meal the Gascony way too, with a glass of chilled Floc de Gascogne, a blend of grape juice and brandy, not dissimilar to Pineau des Charentes.

Laberdolive 1989

70cl, 46%
Laberdolive

A 1989 vintage Bas Armagnac, made with eaux-de-vie produced using fruits from Domaine de Jaurrey, bottled in 2015 by Laberdoline. This joins their extensive collection of single vintage Armagnac,…  More info

Laberdolive 1989
£169.67
Best Seller

Armagnac Sponge 49 Year Old 1972 Edition No.2 (Decadent Drinks)

70cl, 42.9%
Decadent Drinks

An astounding 49-year-old Armagnac from the Armagnac Sponge series from Decadent Drinks. The 1972-vintage Bas Armagnac is an equal blend of two casks, bottled at cask strength in a release of 210…  More info

Armagnac Sponge 49 Year Old 1972 Edition No.2 (Decadent Drinks)
£248.14

Château du Tariquet Caraffe Carrement VSOP

50cl, 40%
Château du Tariquet

Showing off the brilliance of Bas-Armagnac comes this VSOP expression from Château du Tariquet. A blend of 60% Ugni Blanc and 40% Baco grapes bring plenty of fruity character, whilst gentle…  More info

Château du Tariquet Caraffe Carrement VSOP
£39.95

Delord 1994 Bas-Armagnac

50cl, 40%
Delord

The 1994 vintage of bold, ruby red Bas-Armagnac from the House of Delord is certainly quite a looker, that's for sure. It was made by the third and fourth set of Delord brothers at their distillery…  More info

Delord 1994 Bas-Armagnac
£62.47

L'Encantada Domaine Larege 1982

50cl, 42.2%
L'Encantada

Produced in the same year that Michal Jackson released Thriller was this spectacular Armagnac from L'Encantada! It was made with fruit from Domaine Larege in 1982 and then left to slumber for many…  More info

L'Encantada Domaine Larege 1982
£124.95

L'Encantada 20 Year Old Bas-Armagnac

50cl, 47.2%
L'Encantada

20 year old Bas-Armagnac, selected and bottled by L'Encantada. These splendid folks bottle some fantastic expressions, resulting in a cellar full of casks and bottles upon bottles of superb Armagnac.…  More info

L'Encantada 20 Year Old Bas-Armagnac
£59.95

Samalens 1996 Bas Armagnac

70cl, 42%
Samalens

This snazzy bottle right here is a 1996 vintage Bas Armagnac from Samalens, an Armagnac house which has been in the business of making brill brandies since 1882. Safe to say that in this time they've…  More info

Samalens 1996 Bas Armagnac
£103.95

Château de Lacquy 3 Year Old

70cl, 40.5%
Château de Lacquy

Youthful Armagnac from Château de Lacquy, which has been family-owned for over 300 years! Their 3 year old expression is made using the Baco grape.  More info

Château de Lacquy 3 Year Old
£46.75

Laberdolive 1995

70cl, 46%
Laberdolive

A 1995 vintage Bas Armagnac from Laberdolive, made using grapes grown in Domaine de Jaurrey. An interesting tipple for the Armagnac enthusiasts amongst us.  More info

Laberdolive 1995
£136

Château de Lacquy 2001

70cl, 46%
Château de Lacquy

A stellar Bas-Armagnac from the ever wonderful Château de Lacquy! This 2001 vintage spirit was made entirely with Colombard grapes, and just 492 bottles of the rich, fruity expression were released.  More info

Château de Lacquy 2001
£112.95

Loubère Vieille Réserves

70cl, 40%
Loubère

An excellent Bas Armagnac produced on Alain Loubère's estates - sure to make for brilliant alternative to whisky for your postprandial tipple.  More info

Loubère Vieille Réserves
£49.84

Gensac 15 Year Old

70cl, 43%
Château de Gensac

Matured in virgin French oak barrels for 15 long years, this Armagnac from Château de Gensac boasts loads of juicy, fruity notes, with a complex oaky backdrop. Great stuff from the vineyards over in…  More info

Gensac 15 Year Old
£62.95

Marcel Trépout Apotheose 30 Year Old Armagnac

70cl, 40%
Marcel Trépout

Well-aged Armagnac is always a treat, and Marcel Trépout just happens to be particularly talented at producing it. This expression has been matured for 30 years, allowing its flavour profile to…  More info

Marcel Trépout Apotheose 30 Year Old Armagnac
£104.86

L'Encantada GNAC XO Armagnac

70cl, 41.1%
L'Encantada

A delightful sipper from L'Encantada, combining a delicate blend of Bas Armagnacs aged between 20 and 30 years and aged in black oak barrels from Gascony. Designed to be a versatile and approachable…  More info

L'Encantada GNAC XO Armagnac
£59.95

Delord 1999 Bas-Armagnac

50cl, 40%
Delord

Another superb Bas-Armagnac from Delord - this time it's a 1999 vintage bottling. It was crafted from a combination of White Baco, Colombard and Folle Blanche grapes before it was matured in oak…  More info

Delord 1999 Bas-Armagnac
£46.95

Laberdolive 1976

70cl, 44%
Laberdolive

Single vintage Bas Armagnac from Laberdolive, distilled all the way back in 1976. The eaux-de-vie for this release came from Domaine de Jaurrey and was matured until 2016, when it was bottled at 44%.  More info

Laberdolive 1976
£298.40

Château de Léberon 1998

50cl, 48.3%
Château de Léberon

An exquisite single vintage Armagnac from Château de Léberon! Bottled up at a cask strength of 48.3% ABV, without any additional colour or sugar, and without chill filtration, this 1998 vintage is…  More info

Château de Léberon 1998
£99.95
Best Seller

Clés des Ducs VS Armagnac

70cl, 40%
Clés des Ducs

VS Armagnac from Clés des Ducs, each Armagnac has been aged in Limousin oak for at least 2 years. Clés des Ducs have been making their popular Armagnac since 1774 in Panjas, within the Bas-Armagnac…  More info

Clés des Ducs VS Armagnac
4
£30.99

Delord 1989 Bas-Armagnac

50cl, 40%
Delord

From the highly regarded house of Delord comes this 1989 vintage Armagnac from the Bas-Armagnac region. That's the same year that the first ever episode of The Simpsons aired. What a time to be alive.  More info

Delord 1989 Bas-Armagnac
£52.99

Château de Léberon 1984

50cl, 44%
Château de Léberon

1984 vintage Armagnac, produced by the wonderful Château de Léberon (whom only ever release single vintage expression that have aged for at least 20 years). Delicious and intriguing, with a robust…  More info

Château de Léberon 1984
£185.89

Darroze Grands Assemblages 8 Year Old Bas-Armagnac

70cl, 43%
Darroze

An 8 year old Armagnac from Darroze in the Bas Armagnac region for their Grand Assemblage series, which features the spirit bottled at different ages at around 43% abv (some of the older expressions…  More info

Darroze Grands Assemblages 8 Year Old Bas-Armagnac
£57.94

Baron de Lustrac 1987

70cl, 40%
Baron de Lustrac

Armagnac distilled all the way back in 1987! This comes to us via Baron de Lustrac, whom are rather small but have a size selection of single vintage expressions that stretch back many, many years.…  More info

Baron de Lustrac 1987
£95

Château de Lacquy 1996

70cl, 45%
Château de Lacquy

We're full of useful facts, just like this one: the 1996 vintage Armagnac from Château de Lacquy was made using 80% Baco and 20% Ugni Blanc grapes. We're also full of less relevant but just as useful…  More info

Château de Lacquy 1996
£149.95

Janneau Armagnac 1947

70cl, 40%
Janneau

This right here is a long-aged expression from the Janneua Armagnac house, which was distilled all the way back in 1947! If you love looking into the past via the medium of marvellous spirits,…  More info

Janneau Armagnac 1947
£901.99

Domaine de Cassagnoles 5 Year Old Armagnac

70cl, 41%
Domaine de Cassagnoles

This fabulous Armagnac comes from Domaine de Cassagnoles in the Tenareze region of Armagnac. Though it is predominantly a wine producer, it also has a history of Armagnac production, which makes a…  More info

Domaine de Cassagnoles 5 Year Old Armagnac
£44.95

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