Haut Armagnac represents only about 1% of the total Armagnac production for several reasons; because of the disease at the end of the 19th century which had wiped out all the vines in the region but more importantly it’s because the land is rich, which attracts a much more diverse agriculture for the region. M. Jules Seillan, Secretary of the Société d’Agriculture de Mirande in his 1859 report on Gers Wines and Armagnac Eaux-de-vie explains that “obviously, the nature of the soil influences the quality of the products. […] In Haut-Armagnac, the soil composed of limestone is of higher quality than that of other regions. " The region is sometimes referred to as “White Armagnac” because of the composition of its soils: the presence of clay with thin layers of outcropping limestone and sometimes pebbles gives the eau-de-vie an atypical profile. Its climate is mostly Mediterranean with sunny autumns allowing perfect ripening of the grapes before the harvest. Haut-Armagnac eaux-de-vie often have more body and roundness than those of Bas-Armagnac. It is a full and very aromatic eau-de-vie. The originality and rarity of this eau-de-vie makes it a very popular product. The Secretary of the Société d’Agriculture de Mirande in his 1859 report goes on and says that "Hauts Armagnacs have [...] the merit of a delicate flavor, and enjoy a great reputation." In the 20th century, Zacharie Baqué, the undisputed historian of the region, comparing the eaux-de-vie d'Armagnac, found that those of Haut-Armagnac had “a superior bouquet”.