What is Armagnac?

Armagnac is a grape brandy and is the oldest spirit in the world, there are records of it being produced, and as used as a curative, since 1411. The Armagnac region is located in Gascony, South-West France and is divided into three sub-regions.

Bas-Armagnac is a lower-lying region and is considered to be the most important area, or "sous-appelation". The best and most typical brandies come from this area and are supple, relatively quick to mature and have notes of prunes, plums and tobacco.

Ténarèze produces slightly more elegant brandies that are rounded, with more finesse, and have an aromatic, fruity style with notes of violets.

Haut-Armagnac is the least important area but can still produce very good brandies.

All three are differentiated by having different soils and microclimates or terroirs.

Armagnac production begins with a dry white wine made from local grapes such as Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard and Baco 22A. This is then distilled in either continuous single column or pot stills.

Once the clear, colourless distillate is obtained it is then aged in 400 litre oak barrels. Typically these are made of a local dark oak called Monlezun which gives the brandies further richness. In the barrel the Armagnac leaches vanillins and tannins from the toasted oak which lend the spirit colour and flavour. The depth of colour and complexity of flavour increases all the time the spirit is aged in cask, the colour can can range from pale straw to rich amber. Part of the alcohol evaporates naturally during the long years in cask - this is known as "la part des anges" (the angel's share).

Armagnac labels have to give an age statement and geographical origin. These are policed, to ensure what you have in the bottle is what it should be, by the Bureau National Interprofessional de l'Armagnac (BNIA).

The age designations, the time the Armagnac is barrel-aged, are -

VS / Three Star - Minimum 2 years

VSOP - Minimum 5 years

XO / Napoléon - Minimum 6 years

Hors d'Age - Minimum 10 years

Single Vintage Year / Age Statement - either a single vintage or an age statement such as 10 or 20 years old.

Many commercial producers will release their Armagnacs when the brandies are just old enough to qualify for these age designations. Smaller, artisanal, producers will age their Armagnacs for much longer than the bare minimum.

Vintage Armagnac makes an ideal present for a special anniversary or birthday. There are rarely any poor vintages of Armagnac - the production / ageing of the spirit is just as important as the raw product (white wine) that is used for the distillation process. A bottle of Armagnac can also be savoured over a period of months, unlike an old Vintage Port, and is often much better value for money than a Cognac or Single Malt Whisky of the same age.