Late last year a handful of single cask Armagnac were released in the US through Astor Wines & Spirit by a bottler named Fitte et Laterrade. Another negotient searching the country side looking for worthy brandy to put in a bottle with their name on it. Tough job but somebody has got to do it. This Armagnac comes from Domaine de Mounisson in Ténarèze and is a 1977 vintage bottled at 41 years of age and at 41.7%.
Here are the notes:
Nose: Honey dipped apples, strawberry, apricot. Jammy. Touch of smoke, but we're primarily in sweet fruits.
Taste: Soft entry of mixed berries and stone fruits. Peaches, apricot. Sweet fruit reductions. Caramel. Some toasted oak as we move towards the back.
Finish: Very little drying oak. Just more rich fruit sugars. Peach syrup. Just a touch of herbal astringency to remind this did actually spend some time in oak. It really all goes down very easily.
Overall: This is great. Mouthfeel is soft and inviting, but not in an underproofed way. The syrupy fruit notes are a highlight. It is not the most layered and complex spirit but finds its niche in being a very drinkable and enjoyable armagnac. The price is a bit steep at $195 and can still be found at Astor Wines.
Solid B+
