Dartigalongue Armagnac Hors d'Age
Dartigalongue Armagnac Hors d'Age is a Bas-Armagnac aged a minimum of 15 years in Gascon oak — half again the age of the house's XO — bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750mL bottle. "Hors d'Age" means beyond age: under current Armagnac rules the legal floor for the designation is 10 years, and Dartigalongue's 15-year minimum exceeds it by half. Deep amber, generous and long, it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Minimum 15 years in oak (legal Hors d'Age floor: 10 years)
- Appellation: Bas-Armagnac, France
- Grapes: Ugni Blanc, Baco 22A, Folle Blanche
- Distillation: Single distillation in an Armagnacais column still to 58% vol.
- Origin: Nogaro, Bas-Armagnac, France
Beyond Age, Above the XO
Dartigalongue's aged range climbs a clear ladder — XO at a 10-year minimum, Hors d'Age at a 15-year minimum, Grande Eau de Vie at 25 — all from the same house discipline: a three-grape blend of Ugni Blanc, Baco 22A and Folle Blanche, single-distilled in a traditional Armagnacais column still at 58% vol. to preserve aroma, then aged in Gascon oak from local coopers across the house's dry attic and humid ground-level cellars. The family has worked this land since 1813; today sixth-generation director Benoît Hillion and cellar master Ghislain Laffargue (in the role since 1990) build the blends. The US importer cites Wine Enthusiast 94 points (2021) and an Ultimate Spirits Challenge 93, "Excellent/Highly Recommended" (2023), among the bottling's scores. Browse the Dartigalongue collection, more aged Armagnac, and French spirits at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The importer's notes describe a deep amber color with scents of baked apples, butter and black oak; the palate is vibrant and generous, featuring baked apples and oak followed by toffee and vanilla, with hints of tobacco toward the end — and a finish that is long, fat and silky. Fifteen years in Gascon oak show as patisserie richness and polish, with the fruit still vivid at the center.
How to Enjoy
Neat, at room temperature, in a tulip glass — give it time to open. The baked-apple and toffee profile makes it a natural after-dinner pour alongside tarte Tatin or a simple square of dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Hors d'Age" mean? Literally "beyond age" — it designates an Armagnac blend older than the standard age categories. Since April 2018, Armagnac labeled Hors d'Age (like XO) must have a youngest eau-de-vie of at least 10 years.
How old is Dartigalongue Hors d'Age? The US importer specifies a minimum of 15 years in oak — five years beyond the legal 10-year floor for the designation.
What is the difference between this and Dartigalongue XO? Age: the XO is a 10-year-minimum blend, the Hors d'Age a 15-year-minimum blend from the same house style, with deeper oak, toffee and tobacco character.
What grapes are used? The house's three-grape blend: Ugni Blanc, Baco 22A and Folle Blanche, single-distilled in an Armagnacais column still.
Fifteen years of Gascon oak, bottled with polish — get Dartigalongue Armagnac Hors d'Age online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.