Vodka, gin and even malt whisky … most people know their way around these. But what about cognac, not to mention Armagnac, the little-known younger brother of cognac? Here you will find all the answers to your questions!
Right off the bat: both cognac and Armagnac are French brandies. And brandy, simply put, is distilled wine. Just as whisky (or whiskey) is distilled beer.
Cognac
Cognac is a brandy from the Cognac region in southwestern France. It is mainly distilled from three grape varieties that are rarely found in large-scale wine production: Ugni-Blanc (also known as Trebbiano), Folle Blanche and Colombard. Sometimes a little Sémillon is also included. In their fermented state, these grapes produce an undrinkable, sour wine that only acquires its typical character through distillation – or rather, double distillation. Distillation takes place in copper pot stills, whose shape and size are strictly controlled by the French tax authorities.
After distillation, the young cognac is aged in oak barrels for several years. With a few exceptions, all cognacs are a blend (i.e., a mixture) of different barrels, whereby every individual cognac in this composition must be recorded so that its origin can be traced. This is referred to as "Eau de Vie" (French for "water of life"). The age rating of a cognac indicates how old the youngest "Eau de Vie" in this blend is. For prestige cognacs, for example, this youngest "Eau de Vie" can be over 100 years old!
Normally, you will not find a direct age statement on a bottle of cognac, but rather a few mysterious letters: VS, VSOP, XO.
What is hidden behind this code?
- VS stands for Very Special. Such a cognac must be at least two years old, although it is often older.
- VSOP stands for Very Superior Old Pale. This is at least 4 years old.
- XO stands for Extra Old. This used to have to be at least 8 years old, and since 2018, even 10. Sometimes this cognac is also referred to as "Napoleon".
As a rule, the prescribed minimum age for the respective designation is easily exceeded. So you can assume that you will always have a slightly older drop in your glass than what is stated on the bottle. This is definitely the case with our cognacs.
Armagnac
And now for Armagnac. This is a brandy from the Armagnac region in Gascony, a region south of Cognac. It is also produced from Ugni-Blanc (Trebbiano), Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes. Sometimes a little Baco Blanc is also included. Unlike cognac, Armagnac is not distilled in copper pot stills but like American bourbons in so-called column stills, although these are also usually made of copper.
Another difference is that Armagnac is only distilled once and not twice like cognac. Single distillation produces brandies with a broader range of aromas than you are used to with cognac. That is why Armagnac is better suited for getting started in the world of French brandies. Especially for whisky drinkers.
Armagnac uses the same age designation as cognac, so VS, VSOP and XO. And – again, unlike cognac – sometimes there are even vintage Armagnacs.
