Tasting note

Nose

Old walnuts left just too long, overripe apples used for cider. That peasant character emerges deliciously from the glass. Tea leaves and even tobacco leaves are also mentioned. Full, round and spicy is the summation of the aroma.

Taste

Here also the peasant calvados / cidre character combined with some cigarettes / cigars. Caramelised apples, hint of maple syrup and also the walnuts and chestnuts are clearly present in the flavour.

Finish

If you like bitter sweet, this is a great finish. This is the perfect ratio of length, fruitiness and spiciness.

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.