The London Lounge

Can anyone tell me a little about Armagnac, and where I might find (in the Philadelphia region) its better varieties? Be mindful that liquor purchase in PA is a little different from other places. We purchase it in state-owned stores only, and therefore all of it must be acquired by the PA liquor authority first.

It's been quite some time since I've enjoyed a postprandial Armgnac or Cognac, so I have no recommendation. You might try one of the Moore Brothers stores (Pennsauken, NJ or Wilmington, DE) or Total Wine just south of the PA border in Delaware. Also, it would be worth calling some of the PA speciality stores- things have improved dramatically there, at least with respect to wine. In fact, the store in Ardmore - about 1/4 mile from Centofanti - is one the area's best.

Armagnac is a favorite of mine. It's a Gascon distillation of any of three grape varieties - Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and folle blanche. It is different from Cognac in amost every way - it's an older process, uses different grapes that are grown and treated differently, and a somewhat different distillation process. It has never been as commercially popular as cognac but has it's ardent following among foodies and chefs because Armagnac has remained a artisinal affair. Some drinkers who have not looked at the stuff since the '70's remember the spirit as very harsh. Much as this may remain true, at its best (even in the middle) it is a distillation of caramel and floral, plummy, perhaps orange-ish notes. It is a great showcase for the finessed interplay between youth (fruit) and age (oak).

Any research will find dozens of Armagnac's that you may never find in a State store, but Labaude is one largish commercial company with good distribution in the US. I consider their bottle of XO to be one of the finest uses of a fifty dollar bill.

The Darroze family makes beautiful spirits. Francois Darroze is the "pope" of Armagnac.

Cheers,
DDM

Bresch-

I do not know if PA allows liquor to be shipped to residents. If it does, you might want to contact D & M Liquors in San Francisco. They are very good with Armagnac and the people at the shop are not only knowledgeable, but they encourage much of the obsessional question asking that many of us on this site participate in and love. Here is a link to their online selection. I recall them also having a huge stock of the Darozze Armagnacs. Perhaps they have not put them up yet.

If they do not ship to PA, I would be happy to pick up a bottle or two and ship it to you. Let me know.


http://www.dandm.com/category_products_ ... t=Armagnac

Haven't been to D&M in years; recent trips to the area have found me down on the
Peninsula without a lot of time to spend in San Francisco. I am heading out that way
later this week (missing Mr. Mahon by less than a day ) and I will try to make time
to visit D&M.

That is great. I am pretty sure we cannot get spirits in the mail. So that a man of such exquisite taste as yourself does not go to prison, I will try to find some armagnac here, armed with your information.

brescd01 wrote:That is great. I am pretty sure we cannot get spirits in the mail. So that a man of such exquisite taste as yourself does not go to prison, I will try to find some armagnac here, armed with your information.

Well, if you can't find anything you like, the offer still stands.

Incidentally, my mother lives half of the year in that part of France and we rarely drink Armagnac there. We always drink Walnut Brandy which is really vile stuff. At home we drink Armagnac quite often.