A bottle of Laberdolive may set you back a pretty penny, but this exclusive Armagnac brand is well worth it -- particularly for anyone interested in trying some of the best brandy France has to offer. Operating since 1838, Laberdolive doesn't even try to produce blended Armagnac for the masses. It concentrates solely on cask-strength, single vintages that highlight the nuances of specific harvests -- and is the top Armagnac brand on this list.
Laberdolive eschews any and all colorings and additives with its Armagnac, including water. It's also a proponent of extensive aging -- you won't find any VS or VSOP Laberdolive bottles -- and matures its Armagnac in barrels handmade from black oak (sourced from its own forests). The result is a stunningly smooth selection of vintages that display more complex spice notes and barrel character the older they get.
As you may have guessed, these factors mean Laberdolive bottles demand a premium. But even if you aren't likely to find a younger vintage for under a hundred pounds -- and the older bottles can command thousands of dollars -- if you ever get the opportunity to try a dram of the fancy stuff? You certainly won't be disappointed. Sometimes, affordability and accessibility are just no match for this level of quality, which is why Laberdolive is our pick for the number one Armagnac brand.