jpact Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Can anyone help me out with a recommendation or two for some good Armagnac that should be readily available in the US market? I'd like to buy a gift for a bourbon drinker. We've dabbled a bit in the cognac/armagnac arena, but don't have any brand knowledge. I'm lookiing for value, so price isn't important on its own but must be commensurate with quality. If I go into the liquor store blind I'll probably grab an XO or Hors d'age, but if you love a particular VSOP let me know. Thanks in advance. -Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 For armagnac I like Château de Laubade. They have a VSOP, but I really liked their 1967! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Any particular price point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callmeox Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I've had both the Delord XO 15 and Tariquet VSOP and found them both to be very complex and enjoyable pours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fricky Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Marie Duffau Napoleon Armagnac is quite good and is available in Pennsylvania for about $32. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boss302 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Can anyone help me out with a recommendation or two for some good Armagnac that should be readily available in the US market? I'd like to buy a gift for a bourbon drinker. We've dabbled a bit in the cognac/armagnac arena, but don't have any brand knowledge. I'm lookiing for value, so price isn't important on its own but must be commensurate with quality. If I go into the liquor store blind I'll probably grab an XO or Hors d'age, but if you love a particular VSOP let me know. Thanks in advance. -JimI like Larressingle VSOP. A little rough around the edges, but definitely not easily-mistaken for Cognac.Nothing a bourbon drinker can't handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Pollito Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Chateau de Briat...Hors D'Age, Tariquet 1985, or The Delord X.O. would all be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpact Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 I stopped int he store last night and of everything listed so far I only saw a Tariquet. It was a cask strength (55%) 8-year old for around $55-60 I think, but didn't say VSOP on the label anywhere. Is this one in the same?Edit: Oh yeah, I did see Larressingle VSOP as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Pollito Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I stopped int he store last night and of everything listed so far I only saw a Tariquet. It was a cask strength (55%) 8-year old for around $55-60 I think, but didn't say VSOP on the label anywhere. Is this one in the same?Edit: Oh yeah, I did see Larressingle VSOP as well.What did it say on the label? I've liked all the Tariquet I've been able to taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fussychicken Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I was recently lured into purchasing a bottle of 1996 Darroze Bas-Armagnac Dupont at the princely sum of $99. I pulled the trigger despite the price because I was quite excited about it being cask strength (51.1% ABV), single barrel, non-filtered, and non-colored! In my very limited brandy expereinece, specs like these are quite rare! Sounds like some of our best American whiskeys no? Nevertheless, I was a little let down. I was and still am impressed with the "specs" but it was still a little too hot and feisty for me. The only thing I can think of is that at only 11 years old (I saw "only" because that is somewhat young for french brandies) it probably needed more time in the barrel. I know that armagnacs in general are more feisty than cognacs, but this seemed even more so compared to the few other armangacs that I have sampled. Too bad my wallet didn't didn't let me pony up for the 15-25 year old versions from the same producer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Ive always found the younger Armagnacs to be a bit hot. The ones 20-30 years old are something special and 30+ year olds are world class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna56 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 In my limited experience with armagnac I haven't found it to be any "hotter" than cognac. I have found, however, that regardless of the proof, cognacs and armagnacs benefit greatly by time in the glass. Especially when the pour is constantly warmed by your hand. Swirl, sniff, sip. When it is about the same temperature as your body, it's a whole 'nother thing.Armagnac and cognac, as I'm sure most know, are not that different from one another, the primary difference being the region in which they're produced (please correct me if I'm wrong).Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Both distilled from grapes, but some different regions and number of distillations 1 for Arm and 2 for cognac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vange Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 · Hidden Hidden Both distilled from grapes, but some different regions and number of distillations 1 for Arm and 2 for cognac. Link to comment
sailor22 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'm not sure about this but I was under the impression that Armagnac used charred oak barrels and Cognac used un-charred barrels. Explaining the relatively richer smokey character of Armagnac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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