Tariquet Bas Armagnac XO Reserve 750ML

Tariquet Bas Armagnac XO Reserve 750ML is a 15-year-minimum aged Bas-Armagnac bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) from Domaine Tariquet in Gascony, France. This expression earned a Gold medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), where judges praised its pear drop, stewed peach, and freshly cut wood character — a testament to the estate's dedication to traditional Armagnac production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45%  |  Origin: Bas-Armagnac, France  |  Minimum 15 Years Old  |  Distillery: Domaine Tariquet

Production & Heritage

Domaine Tariquet is a family-owned estate in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, the most prized sub-region for Armagnac production. The XO Reserve is distilled using a traditional copper continuous Armagnac alembic heated by wood fire, with each grape variety — 60% Ugni Blanc and 40% Baco — distilled individually before blending. The resulting spirit matures for a minimum of 15 years in oak barrels, developing the layered complexity that distinguishes it from younger expressions in the Tariquet range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with an intense bouquet of freshly baked bread and warm toast, followed by candied fruit and a subtle dried fruit undertone. Lingering behind those bakery notes is a gentle thread of wood and licorice-tinged spice.

Taste: The entry is fresh and supple, with ripe apple and a vanilla-oak sweetness arriving on the mid-palate. A medium-rich body carries butterscotch and stewed stone fruit through to the peak, where dried fruit sweetness and gentle wood spice find balance. The 45% ABV provides structure without overwhelming heat.

Finish: Good length, with toasted oak, dried fruit, and a surprisingly delicate white-flower note that lingers quietly. The spice and wood slowly recede, leaving behind a clean, satisfying warmth.

How to Drink Tariquet XO

This Armagnac is best enjoyed neat in a tulip glass at room temperature; a few drops of water can open the dried fruit and floral aromatics further. Its robust 45% ABV and rich oak profile also make it a compelling choice in select cocktails:

• Sidecar — The toast and butterscotch notes complement Cointreau and fresh lemon, adding depth uncommon in lighter brandies.
• Vieux Carré — Tariquet XO's vanilla-oak backbone and dried fruit character hold their own alongside rye whiskey and sweet vermouth.
• Brandy Sazerac — The wood-fire distillation spice mirrors the cocktail's Peychaud's bitters, creating a cohesive, aromatic drink.

Best For

• Introducing a whisky drinker to aged Armagnac
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or cheese
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast something outside the Cognac mainstream
• Building a French brandy collection beyond entry-level expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tariquet XO taste like? Tariquet XO Reserve leads with freshly baked bread, vanilla, and candied fruit on the nose, followed by a medium-rich palate of apple, butterscotch, and dried stone fruit. The finish is long and toasty with a delicate floral fade.

How does Tariquet XO compare to Delord 25 Year Bas-Armagnac? Both are traditional Bas-Armagnacs with strong critical reputations, but Tariquet XO is bottled at a higher 45% ABV compared to the typical 40% of the Delord 25 Year, giving it more palate presence and cocktail versatility. The Delord tends toward deeper oxidative complexity from its additional decade of aging, while the Tariquet foregrounds fresh fruit and toast.

Is Tariquet XO good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its minimum 15 years of oak aging produces a smooth, layered spirit at 45% ABV that rewards slow, contemplative drinking without requiring ice or mixers.

Where is Tariquet XO made? Tariquet XO Reserve is produced at Domaine Tariquet, a family estate located in the Bas-Armagnac appellation of Gascony in southwest France. Bas-Armagnac is widely considered the finest sub-region for Armagnac production due to its sandy soils.

What foods pair well with Tariquet XO? Roquefort or aged Comté cheese accentuates the brandy's dried fruit and toast notes. Dark chocolate truffles complement its butterscotch richness. Tarte Tatin mirrors the baked apple and vanilla character. Duck confit or foie gras echo the spirit's Gascon roots. Toasted walnuts bring out the oak and spice undertones.

What sizes does Tariquet XO come in? Tariquet Bas Armagnac XO Reserve is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tariquet XO worth the price? Tariquet XO Reserve positions as a mid-premium Bas-Armagnac — its minimum 15 years of aging and IWSC Gold medal place it among more expensive Cognac XOs, yet it typically undercuts them significantly, making it one of the stronger values in aged French brandy.

Why Tariquet XO?

In a spirits landscape dominated by Cognac, Tariquet XO Reserve makes a compelling case for Bas-Armagnac's distinct identity. The wood-fired copper alembic distillation — with each grape variety processed separately before blending — preserves varietal character that column-distilled brandies often lose. Fifteen years of oak maturation at a full 45% ABV delivers concentration and texture rarely found at this price point in French brandy. The 2024 IWSC Gold medal confirms what attentive drinkers already know: this is serious, estate-produced Armagnac that punches well above its weight class.