I am nonetheless choosing up energy in terms of my tasting nerve, which is why you are seeing much less of those giant classes and extra particular person evaluations nowadays. Slowly this may change, though the vacations are arising and that is normally not a really productive interval.Anyway, I although it was time for an armagnac session with six bottlings. This contains the newest from Journal des Kirsch, Liquid Treasures and Grape of the Artwork, but in addition a few barely older releases. 

Bas-Armagnac Garreau 36 yo 1988 (45,9%, Liquid Treasures for Korea Brandy Society 2025)

Nostril: good raisins and juicy currants, together with some minty freshness and furnishings polish. Hints of cinnamon pastry within the background, in addition to gentle tobacco and peaches. A stupendous rancio aspect too, bringing this very near a well-aged cognac.Mouth: now the oak is extra distinguished, bringing extra tobacco to the desk, in addition to leafy notes, walnuts and a few closely infused natural tea. Nonetheless some dried fruit and hints of currants beneath, in addition to a vinous aspect, camphor and menthol. The piney oak and cedar wooden make it a relatively rustic armagnac.End: fairly lengthy, with extra natural tea, walnuts and earthy tobacco.Fairly a powerful nostril however a tad too vinous and woody on the palate. 

Domaine de Danis 1986 (46%, OB 2022, cask #31)

Nostril: fruity and stylish. A number of stewed pears and peaches, with some mango and whitecurrant, in addition to lime. There is a tremendous oaky aspect – vanilla, whiffs of cigar containers, together with some eucalyptus.Mouth: a refined, virtually female and fruity profile, very similar to cognac. Extra apricots and bitter currants, raisins and even hints of pink grapefruit. Then a light-weight mineral and salty edge, and polished oak that’s properly dosed. Ultimately some tobacco and natural notes come out.End: on the shorter aspect, however recent, with gentle rancio, mint leaves and citrus.A lot nearer to cognac this time. Very refined, with a vivid and evenly tropical fruitiness that makes me overlook concerning the decrease ABV. Extremely pleasing. Rating: 89/100 

Armagnac Darroze – Domaine de Busquet 1999 (49,5%, Journal des Kirsch 2015 btl.)

Nostril: fairly the other now, very wealthy and full-bodied. Loads of darkish prunes and black cherries, cigar containers, furnishings polish and deep earthy notes beneath. Then additionally darkish chocolate, walnuts and tobacco leaves, together with whiffs of natural tea. Outdated leather-based too. Very forthcoming.Mouth: very intense once more. A number of cedar wooden with darkish fruits. Plums, cherries and raisins. Then again to leather-based and hints of black pepper. Tobacco is known as a massive element right here, together with a refined mentholated notice, liquorice, cinnamon and refined clove. Bitter orange peels beneath, however by no means turning into too rustic in my view.End: lengthy, with a extra resinouswoody notes however solely a mildly bitter natural notice.The opposite aspect of the spectrum. It is a very wealthy and intense armagnac, in a extra strong custom however exhibiting a powerful width of flavours. Very typical, and relatively properly priced too. Rating: 90/100 

Bas-Armagnac Garreau 32 yo 1992 (52,6%, Liquid Treasures ‘Assortment du Chai Doré’ for Bar Arrangé Korea 2025)

Nostril: very elegant hints of polished flooring and furnishings, with floral overtones of hyacint. Then some peaches and caramelized white chocolate within the background, together with recent mint leaves and light-weight risky notes. Later it additionally develops a mossy / leafy background notice.Mouth: a barely punchy connect, with loads of wealthy woody notes, in addition to eucalyptus oil and mint. Then tobacco leaves, a bit of leather-based, some walnuts and a drop of actually previous Oloroso. Beneath there are nonetheless plummy notes and a brighter citrus notice.End: lengthy, citrusy and nutty, with some darkish pastry notes.Actually good armagnac, properly refined by lengthy ageing. The woody aspect is lower than the 1988 however nonetheless borderline – fortunately there are additionally extra fruity notes on this case. A traditional profile. Nonetheless a number of bottles obtainable from eSpirits. Rating: 88/100 

Bas-Armagnac Marquesteau 25 yo 1998 (51,7%, Grape of the Artwork 2024, cask #225, 310 btl.)

Nostril: a very nice mixture of candle wax and polished flooring. Moist wooden. Good mint and berry aromas, in addition to blood oranges, prunes and juicy apricots beneath the uniquitous woody aspect. Hints of vanilla too. Actually fragrant and relatively on the heady / varnished aspect of the spectrum.Mouth: extra unique woods come out, together with cigar leaves, chocolate mints, a touch of salted caramel and the acidity of artisan espresso. Additionally walnuts, bitter cherries and marmalade. Then the tobacco retains growing, together with natural drops, some drying tannins and hints of leather-based.End: fairly lengthy, with darkish toasted wooden, mint, vanilla and wooden spice.Fairly an intense armagnac, with deep flavours and a agency woodiness that’s barely drying however total fairly nice. A really stylish / traditional instance, however good worth for cash. Out there from a number of GotA companions. Rating: 86/100 

Armagnac Jean Cavé 1979 (54,8%, Swell de Spirits 2024, 200 btl.)

Nostril: fairly some furnishings polish, gentle glue and cigar containers. Some cherries within the background, in addition to gentle acidic chocolate. Then earthy rancio, a little bit of forest ground, candy cinnamon and clove. Whiffs of eucalyptus as properly.Mouth: actually punchy, with extra unique woods, loads of tobacco notes and light-weight hints of varnish. Hints of aniseed and extra of this acidic darkish cocoa. Outdated herbs, a bit of earthiness once more and resinous notes.End: fairly lengthy, fairly concentrated, on eucalyptus, previous oak and rancio.Not that removed from the Marquesteau: barely strong and rustic. This one has a much less intrusive oakiness, but it additionally reveals a barely flatter profile regardless of the upper ABV. Rating: 86/100