Discover BHAKTA · Why Armagnac
A mythic spirit
Nuance. Depth. Complexity. Tradition. Armagnac, once misunderstood, is now ascendant.
France's oldest distilled spirit and the reason this house exists.
Armagnac, Explained
Its first mention, with its mythical “Forty Virtues,” was recorded in 1310
Cardinal Vital Dufour's treatise on the subject is conserved in the Vatican Library. It is a brandy, Aygue Ardente, “burnt wine.”
- 1310
- First recorded mention. Seven centuries of practice.
- 10
- Ten permitted grape varieties. One singular spirit.
- 1
- A single distillation. Character kept, never polished away.
Distilled once, not twice, so more of the grape, the barrel, and the year survive in the glass. Ten grape varieties are permitted, though four do most of the work: Ugni Blanc, Baco, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. It's made in three areas of Gascony, Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze, and Haut-Armagnac, each giving the eau-de-vie a slightly different character.
“Why haven't I heard of Armagnac?”
Accidents of history
Armagnac stayed obscure for centuries by accident of geography. Landlocked, and blocked from trading wine under English law from 1224 to 1776, its producers only reached the market by distilling their wine into spirit instead, since the law never touched spirits. Small, artisanal family houses carried it forward from there. It took a new generation to bring Armagnac's reputation global.
Armagnac vs Cognac
How it differs from its better-known neighbor
| Armagnac | Measure | Cognac |
|---|---|---|
| 4 million bottles | Annual production | 250 million |
| Family houses | Who makes it | Four industrial firms |
| Single, wood-fired | Distillation | Double |
| Ten grape varieties | The vineyard | One: Ugni Blanc |
How to Appreciate It
Neat, at room temperature
The preferred way to drink Armagnac is neat, in a tulip glass or brandy snifter. Add a few drops of water if you like — but no more, so as not to disturb its balance.
Warm the glass in your palm. Let it open. The year will introduce itself.
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