the house

Maison Vasconia

Founded in 1859
Location Château d'Ayguetinte
Appellation Armagnac

At the Château d'Ayguetinte, in the Gers, the Damblat and Havion families have been making armagnac since 1859. In the early 1980s, Jean-Claude Havion took over the Damblat house and founded Vasconia, which has carried its armagnacs across France and abroad. Two bottles from this discreet producer have joined our cellar.

Distillation: Traditional armagnacais continuous still, with vinification and distillation carried out on the estate
Ageing: Aged in fine-grained black oak casks (10 years for the Napoléon cuvée)

Damblat Vasconia armagnacs in our shop

Our selection focuses on two characterful cuvées, each presented in a mouth-blown glass decanter. Two bottles as good for giving as for sharing.

Damblat Vasconia Armagnac XO

Damblat Vasconia Armagnac XO brings together armagnacs over 20 years old, well beyond the legal minimum for its age statement. Presented in a gift box, it makes a lovely gift for a birthday, a family celebration or a retirement. To compare with other houses, see our selection of Extra Old armagnacs.

Damblat Armagnac 36 year old

The 36 year old is the house's rare gem: a cuvée whose youngest eau-de-vie has spent at least thirty-six years in oak casks. Its mouth-blown decanter makes it a precious bottle, to open for a truly special moment.

A Templar château in the heart of Gascony

Surrounded by vines, the Château d'Ayguetinte was built on the foundations of a 13th-century Templar residence. It is there, in the dark room of the distillery, that the estate's white wine becomes armagnac: the wines are made and then run through an armagnac continuous still on site.

What sets the house apart is its dual terroir: the armagnac is produced from wines from two areas of the appellation, Bas-Armagnac and Ténarèze. The first brings finesse and fruit, the second structure and power. The spirit then ages for a long time in fine-grained black oak casks, which give it colour, roundness and a rich, complex flavour.

Armagnac, a Gascon grape brandy

Armagnac is a brandy distilled from white wine and produced in south-west France. Its appellation area spans three departments, the Gers, the Landes and the Lot-et-Garonne, and is divided into three zones: Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. The appellations d'origine contrôlées date from 1936, and their specifications are overseen by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac, based in Eauze.

Four grape varieties dominate: ugni blanc, baco blanc, folle blanche and colombard. Armagnac is most often produced in the column-type armagnac still, and the eau-de-vie then ages in oak casks. In the Middle Ages, people already spoke of "aygue ardente", burning water, used above all as a remedy by apothecaries at the time.

How to choose an armagnac: VS, VSOP, XO and vintages

On a bottle of armagnac, the age statement always refers to the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend:

VS (Very Special) or 3 stars: young, lively armagnac, ideal in cocktails;
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): at least 4 years in cask, a good balance between fruit and wood;
Extra Old (XO) and hors d'âge: at least 10 years of ageing, for sipping;
Vintage: a single harvest year, shown on the label; browse our vintage armagnacs for a birthday gift.

The house's two decanters sit at the top of this scale: over 20 years for one, 36 years old for the other. This is what gives them their unique character and calls for a slow, attentive way of tasting. To discover the character of Ténarèze alone, compare with Domaine de Pellehaut; for a pure Bas-Armagnac, with Castarède.

Tasting and pairings

On the nose, these old armagnacs offer aromas of vanilla, prune and dried fruit, lifted by orange peel, clove and smoky notes. The palate is spicy, with liquorice and hazelnut. To enjoy them at their best, serve them at room temperature, in a tulip glass, and let them breathe for a few minutes. As a digestif, they need nothing else; at the table, they go well with a dark chocolate dessert, and young armagnac is traditionally paired with foie gras. For the aperitif, Gascony also offers its Floc de Gascogne.

Frequently asked questions about Vasconia armagnac

Where is Maison Vasconia?

At the Château d'Ayguetinte, in the Gers, where the wines are made and distilled on site.

What is the difference between Damblat and Vasconia?

Damblat is the historic house, founded in 1859; Vasconia is the company created by Jean-Claude Havion when he took it over in the early 1980s. The armagnacs bear both names.

How much does a Vasconia armagnac cost?

It depends on the age of the blend. Each product on this page shows its price.

How can I buy Vasconia armagnac online?

Choose your decanter on this page and add it to your basket. Payment is secure and shipping is handled with care, in France and across Europe, in packaging designed for spirits. A question? Our team is happy to advise you.

Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.