Janneau XO Armagnac

While I'm not generally a fan of its flavor profile, I find the XOs I've tried to be the best in that category. Around 10 years old seems to allow more of the distillate's character to emerge without being overwhelmed by the wood. It's embarrassing that it just dawned on me that this is likely a factor in why I've generally preferred Cognac to date, as it's the XO range I typically drink. Now, XO can vary widely in age (from the minimum requirement) but is generally considered to be around a decade or slightly more these days. This is apparently a blend of 12 to 25 years old, but I suspect the majority is from the younger end. The flavor is somewhat earthier, woodier, and more like cough syrup than Cognac, which is the additional element that draws me towards the latter. It's similar to bourbon in that much beyond the early to mid-teens can often be overdone. However, this one is truly a lovely pour and possesses strength and depth of flavor even at 40% ABV. It's definitely my favorite drink of the night so far and possibly my best Armagnac ever.