Domaine de Charron is run by a relative of the Darroze household. They’re doing issues a bit of in another way as a result of they solely use new oak barrels and don’t contact the spirit after filling the cask. Therefore the darkish color of this armagnac, I suppose.
For this 2004 classic they used Baco grapes. It’s the newest bottling from Grape of the Artwork. The zebras on the label (should you look intently) are an homage to the proprietor’s native rugby workforce, whose uniform had black and white stripes.
Bas-Armagnac Charron 19 yo 2004 (51,3%, Grape of the Artwork 2024, cask #95, 256 btl.)
Nostril: extremely polished, with some recent bourbonny oak, even a bit of glue, in addition to cigar containers and a few candy mint. Then caramel notes, hints of espresso beans, together with pink berries and grapes, plums, kirsch, some coconut and vanilla cream. Cinnamon too.
Mouth: good energy, nonetheless mixing in some bourbon model wooden, richly toasted. Candy vanilla, caramel and darkish cherries. A buttery roundness. Then dried apricots, juicy raisins, extra cherries, peppermint and thyme syrup, with minty freshness. It will get extra chocolaty and spicy in direction of the top.
End: lengthy and drying, with heat wooden, hints of citrus, a touch of Caribbean rum and spiced chocolate.
A attention-grabbing Americagnac, so to talk. The lively woodiness takes us to the US, however it blends properly with the innate fruity sweetness. Barely strong however quite distinctive and attention-grabbing – a pleasant discover from GotA.
Bas-Armagnac Charron 2008 (50,2%, Swell de Spirits 2024, 200 btl.)
Nostril: properly varnished wooden once more, together with orange peels, recent grapes and berries. Mango and banana, with refreshing verbena and mint leaves, in addition to fragrant oils and tobacco leaves.
Mouth: barely extra woody now, in an nearly medicinal means. Mint and eucalyptus. Then a fruity layer of apricots and recent plums, extra oranges, black pepper and natural tea. Hints of chocolate in direction of the top.
End: pretty lengthy, nonetheless very elegant, on citrus fruits, light wooden and mint all through.
Much less American this time, the wooden is extra elegant and the complete profile is a bit nearer to cognac. Each share numerous very nice parts – mint, varnish, fruits – they’re clearly from the identical household. I’ve solely seen nice spirits from Charron up to now, keep in mind the title. Rating: 89/100
