Armagnac is France's oldest brandy, distilled in Gascony since the 14th century. It is richer, rounder and more rustic than Cognac, a spirit that carries the flavour of the grape and the oak in equal measure. If you want brandy with real personality, start here.
How Armagnac is made, and why it tastes different
Four white grapes do the work: Ugni Blanc, Baco, Folle Blanche and Colombard, grown across Gascony and split into three zones. Bas-Armagnac, with its sandy soils, is the most prized, followed by Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. Most Armagnac is distilled once in a continuous column still, which leaves it fuller and more textured than Cognac, where the spirit is distilled twice. Long ageing in Gascon oak then adds the dried fruit, prune, vanilla and tobacco notes that give older bottles their depth.
Vintages, grades and how to read the label
The vintage bottlings are Armagnac's calling card, and a real point of difference from Cognac. Because so much is made on small farm estates, you can find a spirit from a single harvest year, sometimes decades old. If you prefer an age statement, the grades run from VS through VSOP to XO and Hors d'Age, each one older and more layered than the last. There is also Blanche Armagnac, unaged and clear, for a fresher look at the fruit. Explore it alongside the rest of our spirits.
Armagnac FAQ
How should I serve Armagnac?
Pour older bottles neat in a tulip glass or small snifter, and give them a few minutes after a meal. Younger Armagnac takes a splash of water happily, or holds its own in a cocktail.
What is the difference between Armagnac and Cognac?
Both are grape brandies from France, but Armagnac is usually distilled once rather than twice, which keeps it richer and more rustic. It also offers far more vintage-dated bottles than Cognac ever does.
What do VS, VSOP and XO mean?
They are minimum age grades. VS is at least a year in oak, VSOP four and XO ten. Hors d'Age is ten years and up, usually much more.