Five Excellent Armagnacs You Can Still Buy (Right Now)
Great Armagnac can be difficult to procure given the spirit’s low production, quickly vanishing stock and Byzantine U.S. liquor laws. But alas, here are five excellent Armagnacs I can heartily recommend that – if you can stomach the cost and live in the right state – are still available as of the publishing date. Several of the selections below have very limited stock, they won’t last long.
TASTING NOTES #11
1979 Laberdolive Domaine de Jaurrey
44% ABV
Nose: Sugared orange peel, almond paste cookie, reduced maple syrup, butter cream.
Palette: Carmel, mellow rancio, almond skin.
Finish: Sweet and zesty woody flavors and a lingering note of chocolate-dipped orange slices and black pepper. Long and pleasurable, this is very graceful exhibition of darker, earthy notes.
Summary: Leading with an extraordinarily beautiful bouquet, the ’79 shows unusual consistency of flavor and balance, nose through finish. If you could only drink one Armagnac for the rest of your life, this would be in the running.
When to drink: Death row.
Score: 95
As of 8/13/21 available overseas with shipping to the U.S., including iDealwine ($253) and The Whiskey Exchange ($320). Prices fluctuate based on exchange rate.
TASTING NOTES #12
1981 Domaine Boingneres Folle Blanche
Aged in Oak Casks for 30 Years
48% ABV
Color: Reddish brown with gold highlights.
Nose: Mashed banana, walnut, pine tree, vanilla frosting.
Palate: Molasses, oak, allspice.
Finish: Pine tar, blood orange.
Summary: An impressive and well-aged Boingneres. The natural purfuminess of Folle Balanche is beautifully balanced with the earthy goodness of its oak casks. Never too tannic or bitter. Worthy of inclusion in any brandy library.
When to drink: Early Saturday evening in the fall.
Score: 92
As of 8/13/21 available at Rye Brook Wine and Spirit Shop ($400, ships to CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR) 67 Wine ($550, delivery to NYC).
TASTING NOTES #13
1983 Chateau de Ravignan
Aged in Oak Casks for 35 Years
40.5% ABV
Color: Amber with gold highlights.
Nose: Port wine, brown sugar, pineapple, graham cracker, vanilla.
Palate: Cherry cough drop, fennel.
Finish: Wet plaster, prune, soy sauce.
Summary: Following the release of the stellar ’86, the ’83 Ravignan holds its own as an excellent expression. Marked by a cherry-flavored sweetness and delicate astringency, this is a delightful and delectable Armagnac.
When to drink: When nursing a cold in style.
Score: 89
As of 8/13/21 available at Ludwig’s ($225, ships to AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, LA, MO, NC, ND, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, WA, WI, WY), D&M Wines and Liquors ($230, ships to CA, DC, FL, ID, NE, ND, NM, NV), Pogo’s ($230, delivery to Dallas).
TASTING NOTES #14
1987 Chateau de Leberon
Aged in Oak Casks for 31 Years
49.9% ABV
Color: Mahagony with a green tint and aureate flecks.
Nose: Damp forest floor, dark plumb, eucalyptus.
Palate: An unapologetic attack of astringency with notes of orange marmalade, pine needle, dusty garage.
Finish: A grippy finish that won’t let go. Tree bark, Good & Plenty candy, fennel seed. At the end, perhaps to extend an olive branch, the Leberon offers slightest note of Moscato d’Asti.
Summary: This brandy evokes images of the primates beating their chest and going apeshit in the opening scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you’re the type to bring black licorice to a movie theater or throw back shots of Sambuca and actually enjoy it, this is the Armagnac for you.
While occupying the edges of the Armagnac flavor spectrum, this is a quality brandy and a unique expression that deserves to be heard. It may not earn a place on your top shelf, but it will earn your respect.
When to drink: Just prior to rioting.
Score: 88
As of 8/13/21 available at De Wine Spot ($225, ships to AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY), Norfolk Wine & Spirits ($235, Ships to MA), Aged Cork Wine and Spirits Merchants ($256, ships to NY, call for other states).
TASTING NOTES #15
2001 Domaine Boingneres Folle Blanche
Aged in Oak Casks for 15 Years
49% ABV
Nose: A light, delicate, perfumy nose with notes of orange peel, vase water, crisp apple.
Palate: Vanilla syrup, dried apricot, macadamia nut and a hint of saffron contained within an oily mouthfeel.
Finish: Following the elegant nose and sweet palate, weightier flavors reveal themselves over this long finish: Toffee candy, bitters, ending in a long faint note of dark chocolate.
Summary: A young, lovely expression from an excellent domaine, expressing many of the finer characteristics of the Folle Blanche grape.
When to drink: Date night.
Score: 90
As of 8/13/21 available at 67 Wine ($150, ships to NYC), Wine Exchange ($185, ships to AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, ME, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NM, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY), D&M Wines and Liquors ($200, ships to DC, CA, FL, ID, NE, NM, ND, NV ), Wine.com ($209 in CA), The Wine House ($210, ships to AR, AZ, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, LA, ME, MN, NC, NE, NM, NY, OH, SC, WA, WI, WY), and Pogo’s ($230, delivery to Dallas).
AOML Rating scale:
<75 Not recommended
75-79 Average, contains some flaws
80-84 Good, well-made Armagnac
85-89 Very good, an Armagnac with special qualities
90-94 Outstanding, an Armagnac of exceptional character and style
95-100 Classic, an Armagnac for the ages