After our first large armagnac session in January it rapidly grew to become clear we wanted to do one other one. This time we solely have unbiased bottlings by Swell de Spirits, Decadent Drinks and Grape of the Artwork.
Earlier than we dive in, let me add that they’re all bottled at cask power, even the primary one which is simply 43% ABV.
Domaine de Baraillon 1987 Bas-Armagnac (43%, Swell de Spirits 2021, 150 btl.)
Nostril: actually fragrant. Loads of treasured woods, cigar containers, sesame oil and resinous notes. Additionally prunes, figs and raisins, in addition to baked bananas with Demerara sugar. A slight balsamic be aware. Chestnut honey and leather-based. Very elegant.
Mouth: slightly woody. It’s a bit like chewing cedar wooden, with a sense of resins, tobacco juice and a leafy sourness. Cocktail bitters. Then over-infused natural tea and a transparent medicinal aspect (menthol). Liquorice, olive brine, leather-based and chilly espresso ultimately.
End: lengthy, bitter and natural, with hints of rancio, liquorice roots and drying unique woods.
So yeah, the nostril was nice however on the palate it goes excessive when it comes to woodiness. I can see why it was chosen, however this unfold stance makes it onerous to attain. Bought out.
Our second armagnac was the primary bottled by Decadent Drinks. It’s a 35 12 months outdated bottling, created from a mixture of 64% 1985 Bas-Armagnac with 36% 1963 Ténarèze Armagnac, bottled at cask power.
Armagnac Sponge I 35 yo (51%, Decadent Drinks 2021, 200 btl.)
Nostril: a bit extra docile, or elegant when you like. I get a touch of Palo Cortado right here, with walnuts and hazelnuts, in addition to leather-based, earthy truffle notes and a touch of milk chocolate. Baked apples, orange peels and raisins. Hints of prunes too.
Mouth: similar feeling of class, with a distinguished minty theme, baked bananas and stewed peaches. Additionally hints of tobacco and truffle once more. Raisins, plum jam and liquorice. Properly balanced by the correct quantity of polished wooden.
End: lengthy, nonetheless fairly minty, with raisins and plums and lightweight tobacco notes.
Excellent, that is on the identical ranges as high-quality cognac, combining class and a sure strong and rustic attraction. Perhaps the least typical armagnac of this session. Additionally offered out. Rating: 88/100
The following one is Domaine Séailles, bottled by Grape of the Artwork, a German collective which was most likely the primary to give attention to unbiased armagnac bottlings (though they now moved into rum and cognac). That is ugni blanc distilled in an alamabic armagnacais (a column nonetheless). Extra information on their web site.
Domaine Séailles 20 yo 2000 (54%, Grape of the Artwork 2021, cask #19, 195 btl.)
Nostril: fairly fruity after the others. Extra vanilla as effectively. I get cherries, lemons, peach jam and orange peels. Delicate acetone / glue as effectively, I don’t thoughts. Then again to butter biscuits and brown sugar, in addition to prunes and tobacco. A bit extra reserved than the opposite two.
Mouth: full-bodied now, richer than expceted from the nostril. There’s thick caramel with chestnut honey and hazelnuts. Additionally rancio notes and over-infused fruit tea. Tobacco leaves. Hints of grape syrup and marzipan too. A nice sourness retains it in test, so it doesn’t develop into bloated.
End: lengthy, with hints of cedar, plums, mint and liquorice.
A bit thicker than the others, with a strong, virtually rustic type. In a manner it is a mix of the Baraillon and the Decadent bottling. Energy and class mixed, effectively accomplished. Bought out. Rating: 88/100
The final armagnac was additionally bottled by Grape of the Artwork. This comes from the Encantada cellars. Significantly youthful, however equally attention-grabbing. Extra information on their web site.
Le Frêche 13 yo 2007 Bas-Armagnac (57%, Grape of the Artwork 2021, 150 btl.)
Nostril: fairly strong once more, with caramel and plummy notes, dried wildflowers and recent peonies, peaches and chocolate popping out. Dense nutty notes and leather-based, forest fruit jam and candy berries. A really refined balsamic edge too.
Mouth: unexpectedly dry and natural. We get liquorice, nutmeg with quite a lot of eucalyptus and menthol. Punchy oak spice, a bit an excessive amount of maybe. There’s a barely humorous floral be aware beneath (juniper?), virtually perfumy (jasmine?), in addition to some incense. Plums and grapes after some time, with baked bananas, chocolate coated raisins.
End: very lengthy, nonetheless fairly floral, now extra oaky (together with a bitter edge) with berries and burnt caramel.
A pleasant armagnac, exhibiting some unusual floral touches in addition to a agency woody / charred be aware. Fairly nervous, maybe due to its youth, however attention-grabbing nonetheless. Bought out. Rating: 86/100
