France’s oldest spirit, Armagnac has been known for its therapeutic qualities for centuries. In 1310, Prior Vital Dufour published a treatise listing the 40 ‘virtues’ of this amber eau de vie, including curing headaches, hepatitis, and even deafness. ‘If taken medically and soberly,’ Dufour claimed, ‘it recalls the past to memory, renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility.’
Armagnac isn’t just good for medicinal purposes. Earthier than cognac, it’s a delicious digestif. And it adds a delicious kick to all kinds of sweet and savoury dishes. In this feature for Fine magazine, I grilled two of London’s best chefs, Fergus Henderson (St John) and Pascal Aussignac (Club Gascon), about this exceptional amber lubricant.