Tasting note

Nose

It is like perfume, what a lot of scents emerge from the glass. Vanilla, toffee, cocoa, red fruit where raspberries and currants dominate. Also a pleasant bitter aroma as we know it from Campari. Even a hint of tropical fruit and a hint of coconut.

Taste

The alcohol provides a warm mouthfeel. Some sweetness in the form of honey and sweet cream, nice oily flavour. Again, red fruit and combination with warm wood aromas. On the second sip, some fresh mint also emerges in the flavour.

Finish

Whereas the aroma and flavour are gently sweet, the finish is just a little on the drier side. Tannins add character to the finish.

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 90 points from Serge Valentin.

Read Serge Valentin's tasting note here.