Domaine de Baraillon 1976-1979 Multi-Millésime pour Passion for Whisky

After our first Multi-Millésime pour Passion for Whisky, bottled in 2019, we have repeated our trick. Like us, Armagnac also gets more beautiful and tasty as it ages    

This is a Multi-Millésime from the birth years of the owners of Passion for Whisky. Michel was born in 1979 and Stefan was in his cot in 1976. 

Tasting note

Colour

Deep amber.

Nose

Both Michel and Stefan were quite impressed by this beautiful scent. Complex but perfectly balanced, floral, fruity, slightly oriental and nicely tropical. Mango jam, hint of pineapple, heather honey and great wood influences without dominating. This is exactly how we envision a great Armagnac. 

Taste

The flavour is a complete extension of the nose. The wood provides lovely notes of dark cigar leaves and dark tea. Bitter chocolate, but again a lovely fruity character of melon, apricots, mango and sultanas. Christmas cake with delicious chocolate. As with the earlier 1976 / 1979 Multi Millésime bottled for us, we also recognise the rancio, but this time it is stronger.

Finish

The tea and cigar leaves provide a long finish. The wood has also provided nice bitter tannins. Delicious !

Conclusion

This Bas-Armagnac from two different years has combined the best of both. Powerful and subtle, elegant and refined. In our opinion, the perfect Multi-Millésime.

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.