Armagnac Primer

Here we’ll list some of our favorite Armagnacs, a distant cousin to Cognac, which has an incredible diversity of flavor and age that makes this spirit unique. To start, Armagnac lies southeast of Cognac and is made up of sand, limestone, and clay, while Cognac is mainly composed of limestone. Climate also influences the grapes used. Cognac benefits from an oceanic climate and Armagnac has a more continental climate that is generally warm and sunny, with plenty of rain during the winter months.

Armagnac allows for multiple varietals to be used in its distillate and includes Ugni Blanc, Baco, Colombard, and Folle Blanche. Where Cognac is made up primarily of Ugni Blanc. This unique blend of varietals distinguishes Armagnac and offers a variety of flavors that aren’t commonly found in Cognac.

The distillation of Armagnac has a simpler process to that of Cognac. Armagnac is distilled using a double-column copper pot still with trays, for a continuous distillation and distilled once coming off the still at 108 proof. The double-column pot still allows the alcohol vapors to bathe in the wine extracting its aromas – a step called bubbling. Cognac is twice distilled on “Charentais” alembic still and comes off the still at 114 proof. Both spirits are aged in French oak barrels.