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EP 840 Armagnac – The Oldest Spirit In The World

Gary sits down with Denis Lesgourgues from the Armagnac house Chateau de Laubade. Denis shares some serious knowledge about this spirit from Southwestern France and taste through 3 different Armagnacs.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Chateau De Laubade XO Armagnac
1974 Chateau De Laubade Armagnac
Chateau De Laubade Armagnac Extra

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lev isl

1959 armagnac laubade for sale andmore high end liqur email ffor my # lev818isk@gmail.com

Tags: Armagnac, review, Spirit, Video

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  • I like Armagnac more than Cognac. I find that Cognac to be more alcohol driven and Armagnac more flavor driven. Granted, it depends on the brand but I'm speaking from my own experiences. Try it warm, it is so soothing.

    BTW, did you know that studies show that Armagnac is good for heart health. People from that region have a low rate of heart disease. So, LET”S DRINK!

    This show makes me think you could do a show with Jägermeister, Schwartzhog and Killepitsch. I'd be a willing Participant.

    QOTD:I don't think I would blend it with anything. I hate Sangria because it ruins good wine. I think the same for Armagnac. I don't want to mask the taste. But Dude, again, drink it slightly warmed over a candle. You're going to want to sniff the glass empty.

  • Not my kind of drink but my girlfriend would love this. Thanks!

  • dsallen

    SUPERB show, Gary and Denis! Never had Armagnac – GOTTA get on that.

  • johnboston

    great show. never had.
    Is that gray shirt your new WLTV uniform?

  • f_t_p

    I'm a big fan of Armagnac ever since I was introduced to it in France by a friend I was with while studying abroad in Lyon.

    QOTD: Armagnac Sour, 50%/50% blend with some Whiskey Stones.

  • troytee

    Probably top 5 Guest shows. Gary's, “that's a good rif” comment at 27:36 was priceless.
    Dig Armagnac… usually after a lot of wine as well.
    QOTD- 2 options
    #1- Fig infused Armagnac with Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur and a squeeze of lemon and orange.
    #2- Muddled Figs, Armagnac w/ Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur and a squeeze lemon and orange.
    Everyone @troytee me. I love to talk wine and cocktails.

  • Michael D

    Thanks for the laugh!

  • ONUMello

    Unfortunately any Armagnac is still out of my budget, so I can't comment on the cocktails…

  • Denis Lesgourgues was an awesome guest. He couldn't wait to tell you all the cool stuff he knew about Armagnac, I really enjoyed how engaging he was. Kind of disappointed to see all the “not interested” sort of comments in here. Palates should expand beyond just wine, guys! I was very intrigued by the tasting notes given, even the labels looked crisp and classy.

    QOTD: No, but thanks for giving me the idea. I will be testing out the other commenters' suggestions as soon as possible!

  • DAveAll

    Great show, always wondered what Armagnac is and how it is different. fascinating! i must compare it to brandy (like Korbel from US, not cognac) Great knowledgeable guest – loved it. Is there U.S. style Armagnac – like brandy is to cognac? Buy USA!
    Very good guest, I liked his humble approach to his product. wow. nice. It was nice to see he lead Gary to find smells, etc. wow. I liked the Solaris info, very good to see the difference.
    OK, best show of the decade. yes, I said it. I stand by it. Someone give me a “LIKE”.

  • vicvega

    I love the Bas Armagnac…why doesn't the wine library carry more armagnac?

  • Pat__B

    Never heard of Armagnac before this episode. Don't drink liquor, but wouldn't stop me from listening to Denis talk. Cool dude….the type I'd like to have on my rugby team.

  • KVM1985

    I also enjoyed the episode! Good interview; fun guest!

    QOTD: Never heard of Armagnac before…sorry! It sounds lovely…thanks for the education!

  • FullOnNelson

    Great show! Denis you are informative and well spoken. I have never tasted an armagnac. I need to consider is that these alcohols are sipped. So while a bottle may set you back $250, you could sip that bottle for a year or more. I guess it's time I go get a bottle for myself.

    Here's an idea for an armagnac marketing play. If you can't find a good recipe by yourself, team up with an up and coming bartender in the city to create a line of signature armagnac cocktails. Partner with that bartender to start pushing those cocktails in his bar. If he is a starbartender, it will catch on.

  • sedonafann

    This was a very educational piece, especially since I was drinking the Laubade XO while watching. Thanks to Denis for his passion & knowledge!

    QOTD: I wouldn't dilute quality Armagnac in a cocktail – always been a purist.

  • He hate me for lurking? Seriously though, $80 bottle is a tough entry for tasting. Armagnac is probably most famous in the US because Tony Soprano got jerked around because of it… how did you not drop Soprano once during this interview… but after watching Denis talk about it… I want it. And I want to try making an Armagnac Manhattan, it's got to be good, right?

  • AntonT

    I loved this episode!! I enjoy the very educational shows. Thats the main reason I watch! I have never tried an Armagnac but I will. Im just afraid that it might be out of my price range! Can anyone recommend an affordable Armagnac?

  • ErieWineGuy

    Incredible show. Have not yet had Armagnac-

    Will Now.

    Thanks so much.

  • jtp375

    Great show guys. Downright interesting and educational.

    Have not had Armagnac……….but now that I've heard of it,
    it's on my 'to do' list.

    thanks!

  • You are correct Gary. I actually stuck through the entire 30+ min show and I had no idea what Armagnac was. Impressive episode and I am no longer a Lurker…

  • 🙂

  • Yup New Uni

  • A really, really great show. Have only had Armagnac in restaurants. Looking to pick up a bottle for the house now…

  • m4rtyn

    Actually, i've tried and armagnac old fashioned, and an armagnac sidecar (that's of course, more obvious)
    i guess that an armagnac sazerac would be pretty awesome too…

  • castello

    @troytee Those sound very good. Not fig season yet.

  • castello

    Whiskey stones? Is that ice?

  • LMNOPinot

    Gary, That was a wicked episode. Denis was so comfortable and informative and you let him speak with little interuptions. ( Give your self a pat on the back) This Lurker feels educated and is going to save up some dollhairs and buy myself some Amagnac.

  • Oakmon’s BF

    In my non-expert opinion, Armagnac is to Cognac what stout is to lager. It?s not a perfect analogy, but in my experience, Armagnac is darker and richer than Cognac. I prefer Armagnac to Cognac yet prefer lager to stout. Regardless, a comparison is a great idea for a show.

  • pian0_player

    Loved the episode. I love Armagnac and Cognac. the oldest vintage armagnac i have tried is a 1965 I brought back from England. It was beautiful Armagnac.

  • hollisdevillo

    drink armagnac? howie mandel says “deal.”

  • hollisdevillo

    toons…

  • teckdeck2008

    That stuff sounds great, but I've never had it personally. So that obviously means I haven't tried this in a mix drink. But I enjoyed the episode, and I enjoy Scotch Whiskey a lot so I'll have to check it out sometime.

  • teckdeck2008

    I totally agree…one of the best. The other great one was a the bonny dune (forgive me if i'm butchering the name)

  • Interesting stuff! Enjoyed the episode.

  • wendywilcox

    Thanks for this episode. Ever since I was on staff at my brother-in-law's epicurean shop where we sold little glasses of Armagnac soaked prunes I have been attracted to this spirit. Crooked dusty old bottles were the norm but Chateau Laubade seems to have a chic new look. I hope I can find this gentleman's product here in Montreal. Lurking in the shadows no longer. Nice.

  • Wow Gary! I really enjoyed this episode…spectacular!
    Very educational and fun. Kudos!

  • Amanda Garnham

    You can find some very affordable Armagnacs, you just need to see what is available

  • Amanda Garnham

    Fantastic show, well done guys. You were both fantastic and I am so happy to see Armagnac get the recognition it deserves. So much diversity and so many to discover. There are many very affordable Armagnacs available, you just need to seek them all out. So interesting to compare different blends and vintages side by side. Also there is now the new AOC Blanche Armagnac – a totally unaged clear eau-de-vie that lends itself very well to cocktails. Chateau de Laubade make a fabulous one.

  • YoungDave

    Great episode! I think it's time that Armagnac was explored here.

    QOTD: I have never had a young Armagnac in a cocktail, nor have I thought of blending one with juices or whatnot- the ones I have had are usually aged, and very complex spirits to be enjoyed on their own. I do hope that Armagnac gains the popularity in the US to have a variety of young and aged versions and that it can break into the VERY lucrative cocktail/club scene.

  • tflangan

    This was classic GV. Two minutes into a very interesting presentation . . . wait for it . . . here it comes . . . “Let me jump in real quick, cause I don't want to interrupt.”

    We need some video wizard to put together a compilation of these types of interruptions. It would be side-splitting! You are a pisser GV.

    Great show. Never even heard of Armagnac before watching it.

    QOTD: Never heard of Armagnac until I watched the show.

  • Mark Wilkins

    Fantastic show – everything I needed to know about Armagnac, now on my way out to secure a few bottles 🙂

  • Thomas_DK

    normally i dislike the guest-shows, but this is going to be a alltime best for me. lot of passion, detailles and facts. a great guest

  • DavidW

    Great show Garyn, I don't have much experience with armagnac myself maybe drank it five times, but this really sparked my interest again. Great guest

  • Tom

    Great episode. Maybe a little lengthy, but very informative. Haven’t tried an armagnac yet, but will look for them in the store now.

  • Thnx DW!

  • I agree Thomas, I felt it during the show!

  • I know……..i have a problem 😉 lol

  • Awesome Martin, thnx man!

  • Not bad Van, huh>?

  • LMNOP thnx man, I tried hard not to jump in……..

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