Distiller Notes
At 40 years, the Armagnac’s style is definitely apparent. The quality of the oak used is very important, as the right use of a quality barrel will bring complexity and finesse to the Armagnac; elements that can be judged and appreciated after 40 years in contact with the wood.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Pour a glass of this complex, luxurious brandy and watch how the flavors evolve. At first, its reads fleetingly sweet, thanks to its notes of vanilla, orange peel and juicy clementine. Ultimately, it finishes dry, with a toffee flavor that unfurls to reveal touches of vanilla, spice, dark chocolate, sandalwood and black tea.
Cardinal Vital Du Four claimed that it “cures gout and cankers, heals wounds of the skin … renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility.”
Armagnac is produced in the Gascony region of Southwest France and is among the earliest of spirits produced, prescribed over the last 700 years for a myriad of therapeutic benefits. Owing to its ancient heritage, the production method is much simpler than that of its cousin, Cognac, with just a single distillation through a column still prior to barrel aging. This yields a spirit that is generally more flavorful and fragrant than other Brandies.