Armagnac 101: France's Other, Older Brandy
Armagnac is older than cognac, distilled differently, and largely made by small independent estates — here's what to know before you buy your first bottle.
Older Than Cognac, Made Differently
Armagnac has documented roots stretching back to the 15th century, predating cognac as France's oldest distilled spirit. The key technical difference is distillation: cognac is double-distilled in pot stills, while Armagnac is traditionally single-distilled in a column still called an alambic armagnacais, which preserves more of the raw grape character and gives Armagnac its typically fuller, more rustic, prune-forward profile.
The Houses to Know
Chateau de Laubade V.S.O.P Armagnac — $54.99
Prune, vanilla and light spice make this an approachable, well-priced way into the category from one of Armagnac's most respected estates.
Chateau de Laubade X.O Armagnac — $149.99
Rich prune, dark fruit and profound spice in a noticeably deeper, more mature expression from the same house.
Vintage Armagnac Explained
Unlike cognac, which is almost always sold as a non-vintage blend, Armagnac is frequently bottled as a single vintage — the year on the label tells you exactly when the grapes were harvested.
Delord 15 Year Armagnac — $79.99
Prune, dried apricot and rich vanilla from a house that has specialized in long-aged Armagnac for generations.
Delord 25 Year Armagnac — $199.99
Ancient prune, complex dried fruit and profound spice — a serious step up in depth from the 15 Year.
More Houses Worth Knowing
Janneau X.O Grand Armagnac — $129.99
Rich prune, complex spice and deep oak from one of the category's oldest continuously operating producers.
Tariquet X.O Armagnac — $149.99
Rich prune, complex vanilla and warm spice from Domaine Tariquet, a Bas-Armagnac estate known for consistently excellent value across its range.
How to Buy Armagnac Online
Caskworth carries Armagnac from entry V.S.O.P through aged and vintage expressions, with same-day delivery to 33 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces on orders over $249.99.