Dartigalongue Armagnac XO
Dartigalongue Armagnac XO is the house's core extra-old Bas-Armagnac: a minimum of 10 years in Gascon oak, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750mL bottle. Since April 2018 the legal minimum for an Armagnac XO is 10 years, and Dartigalongue meets that floor exactly — warm honey-gold in the glass, with the wood kept light so almond paste, tropical fruit, apricot and vanilla can come forward. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Minimum 10 years in oak (current legal XO floor)
- 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
The House's Core Extra-Old
Everything Dartigalongue knows about aging shows in the XO. The family has distilled around Nogaro since 1813; the three-grape blend — Ugni Blanc for fruit, Baco 22A for structure, Folle Blanche for elegance — is distilled once in a traditional Armagnacais column still at a low 58% vol. to keep maximum aroma, then laid down in Gascon oak from local southwest-France coopers, with about 30% of each year's eau-de-vie going into new oak. Sixth-generation director Benoît Hillion and cellar master Ghislain Laffargue (in the role since 1990) age the stocks across dry attic and humid ground-level cellars. The US importer cites Wine Enthusiast 94 points (2012) for this bottling. See the Dartigalongue collection, the broader Armagnac range, and Cognac for comparison at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The importer's notes describe a warm, honey-gold color with scents of almond paste and fruits; on the palate the wood is light and not overpowering, letting tropical fruit, apricot and vanilla emerge, with a medium-long, elegant finish. It is an easy-drinking XO — fruit-forward rather than oak-heavy, the 10 years in Gascon oak adding polish without dominating.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a single ice cube; the restrained oak makes it approachable for drinkers new to aged Armagnac. It also pairs well at the table — the brand suggests foie gras mi-cuit or a chocolate fondant to match its almond-and-apricot profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is an Armagnac XO? Since 1 April 2018, any Armagnac labeled XO must have a youngest eau-de-vie of at least 10 years (raised from 6). Dartigalongue's XO is a 10-year-minimum blend, meeting the current legal floor exactly.
What is the difference between Armagnac XO and Cognac XO? Both are extra-old French brandies, but Armagnac is single-distilled in a column still (usually at lower proof, preserving more aroma) in southwest France, while Cognac is double-distilled in pot stills. Armagnac tends to be bolder and more rustic at the same age statement.
What grapes are in Dartigalongue XO? The house's standard three: Ugni Blanc, Baco 22A and Folle Blanche.
Is this XO very oaky? No — the official notes stress that the wood is light and not overpowering, letting the fruit (tropical fruit, apricot) and vanilla lead.
A fruit-forward, elegant XO at the legal 10-year mark — buy Dartigalongue Armagnac XO online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.