Eric Artiguelongue was a Cellar Master at a renowned Armagnac estate for years, but branched out on his own in 2005 to create his own line. With over three decades of experience with maturing and blending, he offers some of the appellation’s best kept secrets. He uses Gascony oak barrels for his Armagnac, and leaves them until they have reached their best quality, then bottles them to maintain their peak condition. He never uses boise, caramel, or sweeteners in his products. The XO is comprised of 60% ugni blanc, 10% colombard, 10% folle blanche, and 20% baco, with each varietal separately fermented and then single distilled in pot-column hybrid stills before spending 15 years in oak. A wonderfully perfumed nose balances fruity and floral elements, transitioning to a silky palate with hints of caramel and a distinct violet note. A bright finish offers up notes of citrus and ginger spice.