Armagnac Francis Darroze - 50 years old

Les Grands Assemblages
Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlée
in Geschenkpackung
42% vol. - 0,7 l

"Darroze 50 yo ‘Les Grands Assemblages’ (42%, OB, Bas-armagnac, +/-2015) Five stars Between 195 and 250 Euros a bottle depending on the retailers. You read that right, no zero missing. Yes, fifty years. Yes, a highly reputed house. Yes a 70cl bottle. Colour: amber. Nose: what a complex, subtle, and elegant spirit! The grapy and raisiny notes have gone to the background, leaving room for very delicate notes of artisan marzipan, soft olive oil, chocolate, wet earth, earl grey tea, oriental pastries and, perhaps, a little putty, eucalyptus and menthol. The whole is magnificent, subtle, never in-your-face, and with an amazing complexity. This nose makes most old Scotches pretty, well, rustic if you ask me. Mouth: e.x.c.e.p.t.i.o.n.a.l.,  bright, vibrant, fresh, incredibly fruity, extremely tertiary (there are myriads of flavours) and yet totally coherent. Peaches, vanilla, raisins, mangos, buttered fudge, liquorice, oranges, more raisins, dates… What I especially love in this is the way the oak only underlines the fruits and other flavours, and never comes to the front. At 50 years of age! The body’s totally perfect, and so is the strength. Amazing and glorious. Finish: long, rather a little simpler, but that’s great as it doesn’t make you want to spend hours with it, and makes you totally ready for another one. Thank you, Mr Darroze. Now, the aftertaste might be a wee tad too tannic, but 50 years! Comments: this is going too fast, and this is going too high. One of the greatest ‘new’ spirits I could taste this year, and most certainly the cheapest."

SGP:651 - 93 points

(Serge Valentin - whiskyfun.com)