Domaine Tariquet Armagnac

Armagnac is a grape brandy from Gascony in southwest France, and this bottle carries the Tariquet name and the "Domaine" estate designation. That makes it a distilled wine rather than a neutral spirit. Expect a distinct fruit and oak character, nothing like the clean profile of a grain or potato vodka. Armagnac is traditionally distilled once in a column still, which usually leaves more aroma and body than the double-distilled pot-still style of Cognac. The details provided don't give an age statement, ABV or blend, so check the label for those. Bottlings in this style typically show dried stone fruit, prune and baked apple, with vanilla, toasted oak and a little baking spice from cask ageing. Because the spirit keeps its grape and wood character, it is best at room temperature or only lightly cooled, in a tulip-shaped snifter or small tasting glass. Those shapes concentrate the aroma. A rocks glass with one large cube also works if you want it to open up gradually. A small splash of water can soften the alcohol and bring out the fruit. Chilling it hard, as you would a vodka, mutes the aromas it is made for. In cocktails it replaces brandy or whiskey, not vodka. It suits a Sidecar, a Vieux Carré, a Brandy Old Fashioned, a French 75 or a Stinger. A Martini, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan or Espresso Martini would hide its character, and they are better made with a neutral vodka. At the table, Armagnac usually goes with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, blue cheese, or desserts such as tarte Tatin and prune-based sweets. Many people pour it after a meal, in small measures, with coffee.