Spirit Name:
Spirit Type:
|
Chateau Tariquet Folle Blanche 12 years
Brandy
|
Score:
|
86/100
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ABV:
|
48.5%
|
Region:
|
Bas-Armagnac, France
|
Body:
|
Medium
|
Intensity:
|
Medium
|
Texture:
|
Smooth
|
Balance:
|
Superb
|
Best served:
Grape:
|
Neat
Folle blanche
|
Theme(s):
|
Tart, spicy, pepper, dry, citrus, under-ripe fruit, peppermint, nutmeg, wood notes, chocolate, green pineapple, papaya, bitter and earthy nuts (hazelnuts, Brazil nuts)
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Summary:
|
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Tasting notes:
|
Nose: Fresh crisp lemon rind citrus notes strike the nose with flecks of granular cereal and a dry astringency that morphs back and forth from super dry white wine to wood varnish. Whatever fruit there is on the nose is under-ripe, as wood notes and acidity quickly cover any brief shimmers of sweetness – this is dry on the nose, with a sharpness and tartness for which folle blanche is famous. Within the dryness and spiciness shines some mild nutty notes, almost like hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.
Taste: Despite its dry nose, this Armagnac offers a delightful experience on the palate. Starting dry, the fruit notes dominate more than on the nose with grape and fig adding a sweetness that is interrupted by green pineapple and papaya. There is a herbaceous twang that, without warning, dries the palate as nutmeg and wood notes linger beside the fruit and fiery pepper. There is something distinctive and enjoyable about this Armagnac, a note that cannot quite be identified with accuracy but which resembles earthy and bitter varieties of nits (hazelnuts, Brazil nuts) with peppermint candy – a hot Fisherman’s friend calmed by sweet fruit notes and some chocolate, as it rests alongside the peppery and sweet papaya seeds.
Finish: Mild papaya flesh with passion fruit and a spicy heat. Burn baby burn!
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Likes:
|
Fresh, crisp, spicy, dry, distinctive
|
Warning:
|
Recommended only for people who appreciate folle blanche
|
Category: Armagnac
Delord Bas-Armagnac 1985
Spirit Name:
Spirit Type:
|
Delord Bas-Armagnac 1985
Brandy
|
Score:
|
86/100
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ABV:
|
40%
|
Region:
|
Bas-Armagnac, France
|
Body:
|
Average
|
Intensity:
|
Soft
|
Texture:
|
Thin
|
Balance:
|
Good
|
Best served:
Grapes:
|
Neat
Ugni blanc, Folle Blanche, Colombard, Baco
|
Theme(s):
|
Medium-dry, wood, raisin, prune, dark chocolate, spicy (ginger and cloves)
|
Summary:
|
A beautifully balanced start delivers soft dried fruit balancing against wood notes of spicy ginger and cocoa that gain dominance towards the end to create an Armagnac with a medium-dry wood laden finish
|
Tasting notes:
|
The grapes that make up this fine sipping Armagnac come from the terrain of the much revered appellation Bas-Armagnac. This particular 1985 vintage Armagnac from Delord was bottled on 4 December 2012.
Nose: A herbaceous, almost confectionery, twang (similar to Allens mint leaves) cuts through diverse layers of dried fruit (prune, raisin and dried fig) as dark chocolate develops into sugary after dinner mints. The dried fruit then softens into a fig jam, with notes of lemon and orange rind that shimmer over a backdrop of wood.
Taste: Thin and light, this is a sippers Armagnac – nicely balanced start with soft undertones of fruit that work harmoniously with the wood notes chiming from the oak influence. It is spicy, with shaved ginger and cloves developing with the mouth-drying dark chocolate that was evident on the nose. The herbaceous notes are no where to be found on the palate, and instead the wood takes a dominant role towards the middle-end with (as already noted) mouth-drying dark chocolate and spices burning out the prune and sultana.
Finish: Decent and quite dry, nutmeg and ginger remain as the tip of the tongue dries with notes of wood and the aftertaste of an under-ripe persimmon – furry and drying with tart fructose sugars.
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Likes:
|
Complex and a lot to explore
|
Dislikes:
|
Bitter and dry twang towards the middle-end, which unbalances what is otherwise a great balanced start
|
Price:
|
$120
|
Francis Darroze 1959 51 Year Old
Janneau XO Royal
Spirit Name:
Spirit Type:
|
Janneau XO Royal
|
Score:
|
92/100
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ABV:
|
40%
|
Region:
|
|
Body:
|
Medium
|
Intensity:
|
Medium
|
Texture:
|
Medium-buttery
|
Balance:
|
Heavenly, almost perfect
|
Best served:
Cask:
Aged: Distillation: |
Neat
Predominately Limousin Oak 12-25 years Single (80%), double (20%) |
Theme(s):
|
Creamy vanilla, rum and raisin, dried fig, dates, chocolate shop, fresh, wood and oak, mild soft licorice, mild rancio, citrus blossoms, vanilla persimmon, mixed nuts, dried fruit
|
Summary:
|
Armagnac in a glass, this brandy offers exquisite balance and pure harmony of flavours in a way that re-confirms the culinary genius of the French – some brandy may be too sweet or have an alcoholic “hot” twang, but the Janneau XO is “just right” with subtlety, balance, elegance and finesse.
|
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Lemon blossoms in our garden |
Janneau VSOP
Spirit Name:
Spirit Type:
|
Janneau VSOP
Brandy
|
Score:
|
84/100
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ABV:
|
40%
|
Region:
|
Armagnac
|
Body:
|
Medium
|
Intensity:
|
Medium
|
Texture:
|
Medium
|
Balance:
|
Superb
|
Best served:
Age:
|
Neat
7-14 years |
Theme(s):
|
Chocolate, cherries, vanilla, hazelnuts, “hot” twang of alcohol
|
Summary:
|
|
Tasting notes:
|
The Janneau VSOP offers complex flavours and a rounded character, but within the beautiful flavours is a mild “hot” twang of alcohol from the younger eaux-de-vie. It is very mild, but for a masterpiece and excellent example of pure harmony and balance of flavours I highly recommend the Janneau XO Royal.
Nose: Rich chocolate and cherry is softened by creamy vanilla and hazelnuts as the the oak adds further depth and spice. The distillate is noticeable, burning slightly in the backdrop. Taste: “Hot” with a burst and energy, the younger eaux-de-vie take a leading role in the surge of flavours that fill the palate. The spicy oak and glazed cherries combine with the chocolate, vanilla and hazelnuts as the piercing alcohol and sugars from the distillate cut through the blanket of rancio forming on the palate.
Finish: This armagnac presents with a nutty finish and nutella, as red stone fruits and sugars steam off the palate.
|
Likes:
|
Complex nose with excellent flavours
|
Dislikes:
|
Alcoholic twang all too common with younger eaux-de-vie
|
Price:
|
$75 (Aus)
|
Chabot XO
Spirit Type:
|
|
Score:
|
87/100
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Tasted:
10/06/2013, 11/06/2013, 12/06/2013, 06/19/2013
Nose
As though a bouquet of flowers sits in the glass, the nose presents with the perfume of freshly cut flowers. It is beautiful, almost like admiring flowers in the florist because the fragrance is accompanied by petals and push green. As the brandy rests, the aroma of blood plums and lychee develops with crushed almonds and cashews. There is a subtle sweetness that is in no way overpowering, as the blunt oak moderates the fruit and old muscato wine that is drizzled over chocolate fudge. The wine is of excellent quality, old and dry with some sweetness. This is excellent stuff!
Taste
The punch of blunt oak hits the palate with notes of vanilla and dark chocolate, as the plum remains supple and fresh with notes of sugary honey and some hints of mint. The fresh plum becomes plum compote as the brandy rests on the tongue but just as the syrupy sweetness develops it is washed away by spicy oak and an earthy nuttiness that brings a full bodied old red wine, very similar to a shiraz/syrah.
This brandy has a beautiful character that is impeccably balanced.
Finish
The character of an old moscato lingers, with its dryness balancing beautifully against the sweetness of the grape. The finish is creamy, and almost buttery.
Nismes-Delclou Armagnac XO (20 Year Old)
While this blog focuses on whisky, it would be a shame to ignore the wonderful variety of spirits available. I believe that it is important to try different spirits (especially armagnac, cognac and rum)to develop your palate and appreciation for the distinctive attributes of whisky. Comparing spirits can be just as rewarding as comparing whiskies!
The only negative feature of this Armagnac, for me, is that it was very slightly unbalanced towards the sweet side.