Top 10 Best Armagnac Brands To Buy Online In The USA

1. Delord 25 Year Bas Armagnac

Delord is probably one of the most famous Armagnac houses and for good reason. The label was founded in 1893 by Prosper Delord, a travelling distiller, who transported his still by horse and cart between producers. Today, it continues to operate as a family business after four generations.

Brothers Jacques and Pierre continue to oversee the family’s distillery. Meanwhile, Jaques’ sons, Sylvain and Jérôme, help in the blending process as well as its promotional endeavours.

Furthermore, Rinaldo, the vineyard manager, takes care of 42 hectares of vineyards in Lannepax, which consist of 56% Ugni Blanc, 24% Colombard, 14% Baco, and 6% and Folle-Blanche.

Finally, Delord was recognised by the French government and has been awarded the “Entreprise de Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company) status.

Although also revered for their millésime vintages, Delord’s critically-acclaimed blends are very popular, too. Their 25-year old expression represents the quintessential artisanal Bas-Armagnac, which reveals mellow tannins, spices, and cocoa.

2. Armagnac de Montal XO

Armagnac de Montal is a produced by the Cave des Producteurs Réunis de Nogaro, a cooperative also known as Les Hauts de Montrouge. Founded in 1963, HDM brings together 60 winegrowers of the region as well as more than 1,000 hectares of Bas-Armagnac vineyards.

As a result, it’s one of the largest producers in the region. This Armagnac is the fruit of a partnership with the Château du Rieutord owned by Olivier de Montal who should not be confused with Patrick de Montal of Domaine d’Arton, which we cover below.

Armagnac de Montal’s X.O. offers overt noes of vanilla, which unveils clove, cocoa, and a long tobacco finish. The grape varieties used are Folle Blanche, Ugni-Blanc, Bacco, and Colombard.

3. Marie Duffau Armagnac Hors d’Âge

Marie Duffau is named after Prosper Delord’s wife who he married in 1925. As her parents contributed a number of hectares to the family business, the operation started simultaneously producing Armagnac under both names.

This tradition continues today and there are a number of Marie Duffau blends and vintages, which are still produced by the Delord family. If you’re looking to sample a Delord Armagnac but stumble upon a Marie Duffau expression, know that you’ll be effectively trying the same thing!

4. Delord Bas Armagnac XO

Another worthwhile blend by Delord, this Hors d’Âge Armagnac offers a complex bouquet of ripe fruit with an accord of butter and orange. It has a remarkably smooth palate with a nutty “rancio” profile that delivers vanilla, thick honey, and nougat.

It opens with an oily texture, which unfolds a sweet midpalate consisting of dark toffee and cocoa. Overall, a classic Armagnac blend at an excellent price.

5. Chateau de Laubade Armagnac XO

Founded in 1974, the Lesgourgues family operates from the eponymous Château de Laubade, which was built in 1870. It is encircled by a vineyard of over 100 hectares, which are sustainably fertilised with the manure of 600 local ewes. Like Delord, Château de Laubade is a Living Heritage Company.

The Lesourgues family’s X.O. is composed of 40 different varieties of eau-de-vie with an average age of 12 years. Furthermore, it consists mostly of Ugni Blanc and Colombard with sparing use of Baco and the Folle Blanche.

Its flavours are smokier than the other Armagnacs on this list. Its oakiness is prevalent with additional buttery nougat and nutty richness throughout the experience.

6. Château Arton La Réserve Haut Armagnac

Husband and wife Patrick de Montal and Victoire de Montesquiou planted their first vines in 1981 with the aspiration of restoring the Haut-Armagnac region to its former glory. Today, their vineyards sprawl across 88 hectares, which they both tend to by using sustainable methods.

The Domaine d’Anton produces Gascony wine as well as traditional Armagnac. Therefore, they cultivate eight varieties, which include Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet.

Furthermore, the couple work closely with Gilles Bartholomo, the last master cooper of the region, who produces every cask by hand.

Their Réserve Armagnac is composed of Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes, which have been aged for at least a decade. The result is a fruit-forward blend, which reveals floral notes of chamomile and candied citrus fruit.

7. Delord Napoleon Bas Armagnac

Our last Delord specimen is labelled as a Napoléon but features only eau-de-vie that has been aged for at least 10 years. Delord’s Napoléon is somewhat unusual at first. However, after airing the bottle for at least a quarter of an hour, it develops a more orthodox aroma.

It reveals an accord of prunes, cocoa, and vinous raisins on the nose, which persist into the palate opening. The heart reveals melted butter and almonds with a hint of nougat and dark honey.

8. Chabot 30 Armagnac

The Chabot family started in 1828 when it produced wine for distilling Armagnac in the Landes villages, Labastide d’Armagnac. In 1963, Chabot started exporting its spirits abroad under the leadership of John Gentzbourger and later his son, Marc.

Following Marc’s untimely passing in 2015, his wife Kathleen embraced the legacy and continues to operate the brand today. Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre “Mati” Matignon oversees Chabot’s cellars with stocks that date back to 1888.

The 30-year old is blended by Mati from Chabot’s oldest reserves. It delivers aromas of sweet Madeira and exotic spices, which pair wonderfully with a fine cigar.

9. Duc De Loussac Armagnac XO

Du de Loussac is a private label by Château de Laubade, which is quite prevalent in the American market. If you ever stumble upon one of these, you will know that it came from a reputable household!

Like the Château de Laubade X.O., it features 40 different eaux-de-vie composed of Ugni-Blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard and Baco that have been aged for an average of 12 years. As with Château de Laubade’s expression, it’s dominated by smoky flavours as well as buttery nougat.

10. Armagnac de Montal VSOP

As with the X.O., the V.S.O.P. is made in partnership between the Hauts de Montrouge and the Château du Rieutord. If you’re looking to experience a younger blend, the Armagnac de Montal is surprisingly delicate with notes of exotic fruit, red apples, citrus peel, and brown sugar.