The rating indicates my personal preference,
1 - Unsatisfactory, 3 - Pleasing, 5 - Excellent.
1 - Unsatisfactory, 3 - Pleasing, 5 - Excellent.
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Armagnac is a distinctive kind of brandy produced in the Armagnac region in France. It is distilled from wine usually made from a blend of grapes traditionally using column stills rather than the pot stills used in the production of Cognac. The resulting spirit is then aged in oak barrels before release. Armagnac is the oldest brandy distilled in France and in the past, it was consumed for its therapeutic benefits.
Armagnac was one of the first areas in France to begin distilling spirits, but the overall volume of production is far smaller than Cognac production and therefore is less known. In addition, they are for the most part made and sold by small producers, whereas Cognac production is dominated by big-name brands.
Armagnac is traditionally distilled once. This results in a more fragrant and flavourful spirit than Cognac, where double distillation takes place. Long aging in oak barrels softens the taste and causes the development of more complex flavours and a brown colour.
Aging in the barrel removes a part of the alcohol and water by evaporation (known as part des anges-"angels' tribute" or "angels' share") and allows more complex aromatic compounds to appear, which further modifies the flavour. When the Armagnac is considered as matured, it is transferred to large glass bottles (called "Dame Jeanne") for storage.
Armagnac was one of the first areas in France to begin distilling spirits, but the overall volume of production is far smaller than Cognac production and therefore is less known. In addition, they are for the most part made and sold by small producers, whereas Cognac production is dominated by big-name brands.
Armagnac is traditionally distilled once. This results in a more fragrant and flavourful spirit than Cognac, where double distillation takes place. Long aging in oak barrels softens the taste and causes the development of more complex flavours and a brown colour.
Aging in the barrel removes a part of the alcohol and water by evaporation (known as part des anges-"angels' tribute" or "angels' share") and allows more complex aromatic compounds to appear, which further modifies the flavour. When the Armagnac is considered as matured, it is transferred to large glass bottles (called "Dame Jeanne") for storage.