Domaine D'Ognoas Bas Armagnac XO

[BSinTX]

I found this at a small liquor store in KY about a year ago. I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to buy it because the box said, "Armagnac" and also "Floc de Gascon" which is a dessert wine made with Armagnac (the Gascony version of Pineau de Charantes.) Turns out, both products are packaged in the same box with different bottles. Once I clarified this, I think it was about $70 USD for the 750ml.






Nose: Typical armagnac aroma....there is no mistaking this for Cognac in any way. Burnt sugar, toffee, caramel, vanilla, dried dates, root beer, cocoa.....and more dried dates.

Taste: It comes on dry and then goes sweet with toffee, and then it goes to the bitter side with coffee and dark chocolate. As with most Armagnac, it tends to finish bitter rather than spicy. Unfortunately, this stuff has been watered down to 40% ABV which is a nice way to say that it is quite.....bland. Typically, Armagnac goes fantastic with a cigar as it tends to absorb a lot of the oak but this particular Armagnac is too watery to waste on a fine cigar. This is another product ruined by the manufacturers insistence that 40% ABV is some magical number and is overpriced due to the wateriness. Not a bad pour, but you can get much higher quality products for far less coin. I would not buy this again.

[Pierre]

Thanks for the review, this brand has usually a nice reputation and I was considering buying it... Guess I'll put it down the list The bottle seems nice though !

[BSinTX]

I'm sure this particular house has several offerings as most tend to have, and these may be outstanding products. The problem is that for the price, there are other Armagnacs that are just WAY better. Castarede 20 YO Chateau du Busca XO No1 are two I can think of off the top of my head that are leaps and bounds higher in quality for roughly the same price. Both of which are also bottled at 40% ABV.

[Pierre]

Exactly, I spotted the Castarède 20YO at a liquor shop just outside of the city and I think it's going to be number one on my armagnac list ! After I finish some of my Delord bottles though...

[BSinTX]

I highly recommend the Castarede. Be mindful that the price continues to rise on that product. When I first discovered it, it was selling for about $70.....great price for a 20 year old product. The 40% is a bit low, but it's one of the few products that still remains bold at that level. I went through about 4 or 5 bottles (my "go to" for quite some time) and every time TPS ran out of product, they increased the price when they had more in stock. Now, the price is up to $100 per bottle....and the stuff is no longer moving off the shelves at that price. At $70 per bottle, it was a fantastic bargain......oh, how I long for the good 'ol days!!