Domaine Tariquet

As well as being two seperate regions in France, there is one major difference between Armagnac and Cognac. Whereas Cognac is distilled using a pot still (normally twice distilled), Armagnac is traditionally distilled using a column still - although a smaller version than the industrial column stills normally used to produce the likes of vodka. Armagnac stills result in a more aromatic brandy than is more flavourful at a younger age than Cognac, which takes time to develop in cask. As a result, Armagnac arguably has more character and depth at a more affordable price point, whereas Cognac demands the higher prices the older it gets due to the increasing complexity over time (what that DOES mean is you can get some incredibly old Armagnac at very reasonable prices, making them ideal for birthday and anniversaries, so get in touch!).

Domaine Tariquet has been family owned since 1912 and is the largest independently owned single estate in France. Lightly toasted barrels impart subtlety and complexity, making Tariquet bottlings some of the most approachable in the Armagnac world.

A marriage of spirit produced from 60% Ugni Blanc and 40% Baco grapes, the liquid within is a sourced from a number of casks at various ages, the minimum of which was 15 years. There's notes of canided peel, baked bread and soft spices with a solid backbone of warm oak to lift the palate and offer a bite. If this had the word 'Cognac' written on the label it would probably be about double the price, such is the nature of the market!