Armagnac
Armagnac is often referred to as the oldest and youngest brandy in France. The oldest because it was first distilled in the middle of the 15th century in adapted perfume stills, probably brought over by the Moors. It is regarded as the youngest because the Armagnaçais are still arguing over how to distil it. The Armagnac region has always been a very special example of that exclusive concept, la France profonde. It is located well away from the madding crowds, motorways and the industrial eyesores of modern France, about a hundred miles south of Bordeaux. The gentle, fair and fertile countryside is a land of near perfect rural paradise and home to rich food such as foie gras and truffles. Countless small firms distil their wine here by using a single or continuous distillation method. The distillation range is between 52 – 72 % abv which allows a greater fruitiness in the spirit, although usually at the expense of smoothness and refinement of the brandy. The grapes used are similar to those grown for making cognac. Armagnac is also aged in oak barrels for many years, until perfected, and then removed from the wood and kept in glass bonbonnes. Some very rare, old armagnacs may date from the 19th century. Others still share the exclusivity with the fruitiness and rich, pruney flavours created in this land of rural bliss, known today as Gascony.
The armagnac vineyard area (around twelve thousand hectares) is only about a fifth of the size of its big brother cognac, to the north. However, the individual skills of the many small producers have created a wealth of individual, aged armagnacs. The range of vintages available from the twentieth and twenty first centuries is immense but the stock of each is rapidly dwindling as demand outstrips supply. Here at Brandyclassics we stock a range beyond the reach of many collectors and connoisseurs and we specialise in those from the top cru, Bas Armagnac.
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This relatively young armagnac has been well balanced with some slightly spicy flavours of cashew nuts, sultanas and dates, there is also a hint of pineapple and dates. Delivered in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A style aroma of woody and spicy qualities with raisins, pineapple, straw, nuts and herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Well balanced with some slightly spicy flavours of cashew nuts, sultanas and dates, there is also a hint of pineapple and dates.
Excl. VAT: £49.87 Incl. VAT: £59.84This relatively young armagnac has been well balanced with some slightly spicy flavours of cashew nuts, sultanas and dates, there is also a hint of pineapple and dates. Delivered in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A style aroma of woody and spicy qualities with raisins, pineapple, straw, nuts and herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Well balanced with some slightly spicy flavours of cashew nuts, sultanas and dates, there is also a hint of pineapple and dates.
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Concours des Talents d'Armagnac 2012-13 - Gold Medal
Today this family business is run by Patricia and her husband. They are continuing the family tradition whilst embracing selected modern methods of production. The domain covers seven hectares, of which five are devoted to the production of Armagnac.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A citrus, most notably tangerine, nose.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Round and smooth, dominated by greengage and orangey notes with a peppery finish. A very slight hint of mint.
Excl. VAT: £54.63 Incl. VAT: £65.56Concours des Talents d'Armagnac 2012-13 - Gold Medal
Today this family business is run by Patricia and her husband. They are continuing the family tradition whilst embracing selected modern methods of production. The domain covers seven hectares, of which five are devoted to the production of Armagnac.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A citrus, most notably tangerine, nose.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Round and smooth, dominated by greengage and orangey notes with a peppery finish. A very slight hint of mint.
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Concours Général Agricole Paris 2012 - Silver Medal
Concours des Grandes Eaux de Vie d'Armagnac 2012 - Gold Medal
There are some interesting aromatic flavours of blackberries and sweet spices in this bright copper armagnac which has a good balance. Good armagnac in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Stewed prunes and quince jelly.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Aromatic blackberries and sweet spices with a good balance at the finish.
Excl. VAT: £58.50 Incl. VAT: £70.20Concours Général Agricole Paris 2012 - Silver Medal
Concours des Grandes Eaux de Vie d'Armagnac 2012 - Gold Medal
There are some interesting aromatic flavours of blackberries and sweet spices in this bright copper armagnac which has a good balance. Good armagnac in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Stewed prunes and quince jelly.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Aromatic blackberries and sweet spices with a good balance at the finish.
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Concours des Grandes Eaux de Vie d'Armagnac 2012 - Gold Medal
Rich fruit aromas of dates and sultanas coupled with some mixed spices. The flavour is very rich and exhibits some pineapple, mixed spice and sultana flavours. Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Rich fruit aromas of dates and sultanas coupled with some mixed spices.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: The flavour is very rich and exhibits some pineapple, mixed spice and sultana flavours.
Excl. VAT: £64.63 Incl. VAT: £77.56Concours des Grandes Eaux de Vie d'Armagnac 2012 - Gold Medal
Rich fruit aromas of dates and sultanas coupled with some mixed spices. The flavour is very rich and exhibits some pineapple, mixed spice and sultana flavours. Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Rich fruit aromas of dates and sultanas coupled with some mixed spices.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: The flavour is very rich and exhibits some pineapple, mixed spice and sultana flavours.
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An amber armagnac with real character from the top cru, Bas Armagnac. On the palate it is soft and full with flavours of candied fruit and dates. This great value vintage armagnac is presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Candies fruit, dates, white and black figs and raisins.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Soft and full on the palate with flavours of candied fruit, dates, figs and raisins.
Excl. VAT: £71.20 Incl. VAT: £85.44An amber armagnac with real character from the top cru, Bas Armagnac. On the palate it is soft and full with flavours of candied fruit and dates. This great value vintage armagnac is presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Candies fruit, dates, white and black figs and raisins.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Soft and full on the palate with flavours of candied fruit, dates, figs and raisins.
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Another great vintage Bas Armagnac from this small family firm. Soft on the palate with slightly woody flavours and notes of hazelnut and toasted almonds, it also has a really well balanced finish.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Spices, vanilla and dried fruits such as dates, raisins and fresh black prunes.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Soft on the palate and slightly woody with notes of hazelnut and toasted almonds. A well balanced finish.
Excl. VAT: £99.15 Incl. VAT: £118.98Another great vintage Bas Armagnac from this small family firm. Soft on the palate with slightly woody flavours and notes of hazelnut and toasted almonds, it also has a really well balanced finish.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Spices, vanilla and dried fruits such as dates, raisins and fresh black prunes.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Soft on the palate and slightly woody with notes of hazelnut and toasted almonds. A well balanced finish.
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Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle, there is little doubt that these armagnacs are superbly made with many great qualities. This very limited vintage is rich and well balanced with sultana and prune flavours combined with some hints of pineapple and spice.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Citrus and fresh nectarine on the nose.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Sultanas, prunes, spices with an underlying freshness of white peaches and a hint of mint followed by a well-balanced tail.
Excl. VAT: £108.87 Incl. VAT: £130.64Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle, there is little doubt that these armagnacs are superbly made with many great qualities. This very limited vintage is rich and well balanced with sultana and prune flavours combined with some hints of pineapple and spice.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: Citrus and fresh nectarine on the nose.
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Sultanas, prunes, spices with an underlying freshness of white peaches and a hint of mint followed by a well-balanced tail.
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Only 6 bottles of this vintage remain. A masterpiece of ageing in small barrels with the development of great armagnac flavour - prune, almond, cashew nuts and much more. Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A style aroma of woody and spicy qualities with raisins, pineapple, straw, nuts and herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Great armagnac flavour - prune, almond, cashew nuts and much more.
Excl. VAT: £504.74 Incl. VAT: £605.69Only 6 bottles of this vintage remain. A masterpiece of ageing in small barrels with the development of great armagnac flavour - prune, almond, cashew nuts and much more. Presented in the traditional basquaise bottle.
- Aroma:
- Aroma: A style aroma of woody and spicy qualities with raisins, pineapple, straw, nuts and herbal aromas
- Flavour:
- Flavour: Great armagnac flavour - prune, almond, cashew nuts and much more.