Armagnac from the Gascony region of southwest France, this spirit from Chateau de Laubade is produced through a single continuous distillation of wine, a method that preserves more of the fruit character than the pot-still approach used in Cognac. VSOP designation indicates a minimum aging period in oak, lending richness and structure to what begins as a clear, potent eau-de-vie.
Expect warm stone fruit, vanilla, and spice balanced with the dry, slightly tannic edge that oak aging brings to Armagnac. The spirit shows a softer profile than many Cognacs, with a silky texture that rewards sipping neat or diluting gently with water to open up its aromatic character. It works equally well in a classic Sazerac or simply as an after-dinner pour.