About French Brandy

Cognac is the best known type of Brandy in the world, a benchmark by which most other Brandies are judged. The Cognac region is located on the west-central Atlantic coast of France, just north of Bordeaux, in the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime. The region is further subdivided into six growing zones: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Bois Ordinaries, Borderies, Fins Bois, and Bons Bois. The first two of these regions produce the best Cognac and will frequently be so designated on bottle labels. Cognacs labelled Fine Champagne are a blend of Petite and Grande Champagne. The primary grapes used in making Cognac are Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. The wines made from these grapes are thin, tart, and low in alcohol; poor characteristics for table wines, but oddly enough, perfect for making Brandy. Cognac is double distilled in pot stills and then aged in casks made from Limousin or Troncais oak. All Cognacs start out in new oak to mellow the fiery spirit and give them color. Batches that are chosen for long-term aging are, after a few years, transferred to used, or "seasoned," casks that impart less of the oak flavor notes while the Brandy matures.

Virtually all Cognacs are a blend of Brandies from different vintages, and frequently, different growing zones. Even those from single vineyards or distilleries will be a mix of Brandies from different casks. As in Champagne, the production of local vineyards is sold to Cognac houses, each of which stores and ages Cognacs from different suppliers and then employs master blenders to draw from these disparate Brandies to create continuity in the house blends. Because there are no age statements on Cognacs, the industry has adopted some generally accepted terms to differentiate Cognacs. It is important to note that these terms have no legal status, and each Cognac shipper uses them according to his own criteria. V.S./V.S.P./Three Star: (V.S., very superior; V.S.P., very superior pale) A minimum of two years aging in a cask, although the industry average is four to five years. V.S.O.P.: (very superior old pale) A minimum of four years cask aging for the youngest Cognac in the blend, with the industry average being between 10 and 15 years.

Armagnac is the oldest type of Brandy in France, with documented references to distillation dating back to the early 15th century. The Armagnac region is located in the heart of the ancient province of Gascony in the southwest corner of France. As in Cognac, there are regional growing zones: Bas-Armagnac, Haut Armagnac, and Tenareze. The primary grapes used in making Armagnac are likewise the Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. But distillation takes place in the unique alambic Armagnacais, a type of column still that is even more "inefficient" than a typical Cognac pot still.The resulting brandy has a rustic, assertive character and aroma that requires additional cask aging to mellow it out. The best Armagnacs are aged in casks made from the local Monlezun oak. In recent years Limousin and Troncais oak casks have been added to the mix of casks as suitable Monlezun oak becomes harder to find.

Most Armagnacs are blends, but unlike Cognac, single vintages and single vineyard bottlings can be found. The categories of Armagnac are generally the same as those of Cognac (V.S., V.S.O.P., X.O., etc.). Blended Armagnacs frequently have a greater percentage of older vintages in their mix than comparable Cognacs, making them a better value for the discerning buyer.Up until the 1970s, portable alambic Armagnacais mounted on two-wheel carts were hauled among small vineyards in Armangnac by itinerant distillers called bouillers de cru. These traveling stills, alas, have mostly given way to larger fixed-in-place setups operated by farmer cooperatives and individual operators.

French Brandy is the catch-all designation for Brandy produced from grapes grown in other regions. These Brandies are usually distilled in column stills and aged in oak casks for varying periods of time. They are frequently blended with wine, grape juice, oak flavorings, and other Brandies, including Cognac, in order to smooth out the rough edges. Cognac-like quality designations such as V.S.O.P. and Napoleon are frequently used, but have no legal standing.

Top Picks for French Brandy

Bhakta Spirits Single Vintage Armagnac
98 points
$399
The kind of luxury spirit that is so good and well integrated with aromas and flavors that it leaves you temporarily dumbstruck asking yourself, "What is that delicious memory?"
Bhakta Spirits Single Vintage Armagnac
97 points
$579
Upon pop and pour, this could use more fruit to balance the umami, resin-esque quality of the finish; however, with some extended aeration this rich and complex spirit truly opens up to become something special proving there is no faking the luxury and age this exhibits.
Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old De Gaulle Barrel No. 29  Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac
96 points
$450
Complex and delicious with the fruit leading and the mildly smoky savory aspect lingering on forever; it has a story to tell and commands a listen.
Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Emperor Norton Barrel No. 30  Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac
95 points
$450
Smoky roasted nuts with a dash of honeyed figs; a fascinating flavor excursion that is incredibly layered and nuanced and really subtle for its high proof.
Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Rasputin Barrel No. 28 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac
95 points
$450
Sweet and fruity with savory and meaty notes all swirled together in this umami bomb; tons of smoky goodness that demand cigars and smoking jackets.
Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal VSOP Cognac
95 points
$57
Warm, spicy, and enticing; have with dessert and enjoy with abandon.
Awards: 2022 Best Cognac
Abecassis 1er Cru VSOP Cognac
94 points
$62
Outperforms the VSOP category with the elegance, depth, and integration found in the glass; if you enjoy Gran Napoleon or XO Cognac this is a value grab for sure.
Bhakta Spirits Single Vintage Armagnac
94 points
$194
Okay Raj, this is fancy, tasty, and better than that Whiskey made down the road; fruit, honey, barrel spicy, tobacco and nuts, this is so so delicious.
Bhakta Spirits Single Vintage Armagnac
94 points
$339
Tastes like old luxury; leather, fruit, honey, finely aged tobacco... they should pump this aroma into the high rollers room at a casino.
Bhakta Spirits Single Vintage Armagnac
94 points
$389
Exactly what old Armagnac is supposed to be, capital Yum.