Armagnac, Brandy and Cognac .... whats the difference?

Brandy is a broad category, while Cognac and Armagnac are specific types of French brandy with different production methods, grapes, and aging processes.

Cognac is double-distilled in pot stills, uses mostly one grape variety (ugni blanc), and is produced in a specific region of France.

Armagnac is single-distilled using a continuous column still, can be made from a more varied mix of grapes, and is produced in the Gascony region of France. 

Brandy

Cognac

Armagnac

Category

A general term for a spirit distilled from fermented fruit mash, most commonly wine.

A specific type of French brandy.

A specific type of French brandy.

Distillation

Varies widely.

Double-distilled in pot stills.

Single-distilled in a continuous column still.

Primary Grapes

Varies widely.

Primarily ugni blanc.

A more varied selection, including ugni blanc, baco, colombard, and folle blanche.

Region

Varies by type.

The Cognac region in France.

The Armagnac region in Gascony, France.

Flavor Profile

Varies widely.

Generally lighter and more elegant due to the double-distillation process.

Typically more robust, full-bodied, and flavorful due to the continuous distillation.

Aging

Varies widely.

Aged in French oak casks, typically from the Limousin or Tronçais forests.

Aged in oak casks, often made from local black wood.