After our first huge armagnac session in January it rapidly turned clear we would have liked to do one other one. This time we solely have impartial 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 valuable woods, cigar bins, sesame oil and resinous notes. Additionally prunes, figs and raisins, in addition to baked bananas with Demerara sugar. A slight balsamic observe. Chestnut honey and leather-based. Very stylish.
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 facet (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 by way of woodiness. I can see why it was chosen, however this unfold stance makes it exhausting to attain. Offered out.
Our second armagnac was the primary bottled by Decadent Drinks. It’s a 35 yr previous 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 in case 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 amount 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 appeal. Possibly the least typical armagnac of this session. Additionally bought out. Rating: 88/100
The subsequent one is Domaine Séailles, bottled by Grape of the Artwork, a German collective which was in all probability the primary to concentrate on impartial 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 properly. I get cherries, lemons, peach jam and orange peels. Refined acetone / glue as properly, 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 examine, so it doesn’t change into bloated.
End: lengthy, with hints of cedar, plums, mint and liquorice.
A bit thicker than the others, with a strong, nearly rustic model. In a means it is a mix of the Baraillon and the Decadent bottling. Energy and class mixed, properly accomplished. Offered 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 contemporary 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 loads of eucalyptus and menthol. Punchy oak spice, a bit an excessive amount of maybe. There’s a barely humorous floral observe beneath (juniper?), nearly 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 observe. Fairly nervous, maybe due to its youth, however attention-grabbing nonetheless. Offered out. Rating: 86/100
