If it is sealed, you can keep it practically indefinitely as long as the cork or closure is checked or changed every 5 or 10 years. If you have opened it, it is best to keep it for 1 to 2 years maximum, otherwise the oxidation, although low, due to air entering the bottle, can change the taste.

Always have a good mouthful of water before tasting Armagnac, then put a little Armagnac in your mouth, mixing it with saliva, and swallow. In this way your taste buds are given information about the nature of the product, and you won't suffer from the alcohol level in your subsequent samplings.

Armagnac is the oldest distilled spirit in the world, with records of its production dating back to the 15th century. The spirit is made from a blend of white wines and is aged in oak barrels, resulting in a complex flavor profile with notes of smoke, nuts, candied fruit, and spices - amongst many other things.

Buying Armagnac Typically, the older Armagnacs are better, more complex and more expensive, but it's also important to choose Armagnac from a good producer. I recommend the Larressingle VSOP and XO bottlings, which are widely available at New York's better wine shops.