Clos Martin Armagnac VSOP 8 years
Clos Martin Armagnac VSOP 8 Year Old is a 40% ABV (80 proof) French brandy from Gascony — a blend of Baco and Ugni-Blanc eaux-de-vie distilled in small traditional Armagnac column stills and aged a minimum of 8 years in regional oak, twice the VSOP legal requirement. The result is a full-bodied Armagnac with fruit, wood, and mineral character in a 750mL bottle. Order French brandy online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: Minimum 8 years in oak (VSOP legally requires only 4)
- Grapes: Baco and Ugni-Blanc blend
- Origin: Armagnac region, Gascony, France
Gascon Patience, Twice the Requirement
Armagnac plays a longer game than its legal minimums. Clos Martin's VSOP starts with eaux-de-vie from small Gascon growers, distilled gently in short-column stills at low temperatures to preserve aromatics, then rests in demi-muids and casks of regional oak for at least eight years before blending. That patience shows in the glass: ginger and violet on the nose — typical of the region's sandy soils — with delicate oak and dried fruit, a honeyed, oily palate of candied orange and spice, and a clean, lively finish. Browse more Clos Martin brandies, explore the Armagnac collection, or compare styles in the wider brandy collection.
Tasting Notes
A touch of ginger and violet up front with delicate oak and dried fruit, per the importer's notes. The palate is honeyed and oily — baked orchard fruit, plum, dried apricot, vanilla, and caramel over cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted oak — finishing clean and lively with lingering cooked fruit and spice.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat after dinner to catch the full aromatic range, or put it to work in a twist on a Manhattan or Vieux Carré, where the brandy's fruit and oak stand in beautifully for rye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "8 Year Old" mean when VSOP only requires 4 years?
VSOP legally requires just 4 years of aging; Clos Martin ages this VSOP a minimum of 8 years before blending — double the requirement.
What grapes are in Clos Martin VSOP?
A blend of Baco and Ugni-Blanc grapes, distilled in small traditional Armagnac column stills.
Is Clos Martin an Armagnac or a Cognac?
An Armagnac: it comes from Gascony in southwest France and is distilled in a continuous column still rather than Cognac's pot stills.
For an Armagnac that over-delivers on its age statement, buy Clos Martin Armagnac VSOP 8 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor — ready for pickup or delivery in San Diego, CA.