Tasting note

Nose

What a beautiful aroma! First the warm wood aromas that ooze out of the glass, then the mature fruit and bitter chocolate. As a finale grape must and rancio so characteristic of Armagnac of this age.

Taste

Again rancio, but also vanilla, caramel, sweet cherry syrup and toffee. The cask has done its job well, the wood aromas come into full play. Spicy, sweet and fruity alternate each time. 

Finish

Nice bitter notes linger long on the palate. All in all, an absolutely top-notch product.

The distillery

The Domaine de Baraillon is located just outside Lannemaignan in the Bas-Armagnac. The pretty little estate is surrounded by sunflower, maize and wheat fields and, of course, vineyards. Driving past the Domaine, you wouldn't even know that Armagnac is produced here, were it not for a large barrel on the side of the road with their name written on it. 

Claverie's Armagnacs are a combination of two properties: 4 hectares owned by Patriach Paul's sister in Le Freche and 12 hectares around his house. All vineyards are full of the three major grape varieties, Baco, Colombard and Ugni Blanc. Until 2012 they used the Loubere distillery in Labastide d'Armagnac, but in 2012 they bought their own stills in which they now turn their wines into spirits. The fresh eau de vie normally goes into 5,000-litre casks before being transferred to smaller barrels. Both new and old barrels are used for this purpose. The barrels are regularly aerated to promote oxidation. The oldest stocks date back to the late 19th century and it occasionally seems as if time has stood still at Domaine de Baraillon. Tradition and quality are therefore highly valued by the family.  

What others say

On WhiskyFun.com, this Armagnac received a whopping 90 points  from Serge Valentin

Read Serge Valentin's tasting note here.