39 Year Old Single Cask Armagnac
47.6% ALC • Distilled: 1982 • Bottled: 2022 • Limited to 122 bottles • Release Date: 25th August 2022 • RRP: $249
A single estate vintage that was produced by master distiller Mr. Jean-Claude Guasch, using a 100 year old alembic still in 1982. It was then aged for 39 years before being bottled at natural cask strength. With deep notes of cranberries, apricot, guava, candied orange segments, leather, dark chocolate and an extraordinarily long, sweet-spice finish. One to be savoured and one you won’t want to miss.
The Origin
Entirely harvested and produced by agronomist and first generation master distiller, Mr Jean-Claude Guasch on his 42 hectare estate using a 100 year old alembic still in 1982. He then nestled away this barrel in the Baron de Sigognac cellars for 39 years before being bottled at its natural cask strength.
Jean-Claude has since passed down his know-how and traditional methods to his son Thomas, who continues to craft Armagnac and care for aging stock in their cellars.
The three grape varietals coming from a single estate, used to produce this eau de vie were 65% Baco, 25% Ugni Blanc and 10% Folle Blanche.
Baco is a hybrid created by Francois Baco the 1890s, following phylloxera. A cross of Folle Blanche and Noah grapes, it is well adapted to the sandy soils of the Bas-Armagnac that produce a fruity, delicate and highly revered eau de vie with great aging potential.
Baco
Known in other parts of the world as Trebianno and originally a grape varietal from Italy. Ugni Blanc is extremely well suited to all three Armagnac terroirs, it’s high acid and low alcohol wine makes for an excellent distillation. Universally known for producing high quality eau de vie with potential to be bottled young and also very old.
Ugni Blanc
A historical varietal and the original grape used in Armagnac. It was the most dominant until it was destroyed by phylloxera in the late 1800s. Today this varietal only makes up 2-3% of Armagnacs vineyards as its cultivation on rootstock makes it more fragile to grow and tightly bunched grapes more susceptible to rot. Known for producing a rather floral and elegant Armagnac especially when aged for a longer time.
Folle Blanche
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Very deep aroma, cranberries, apricot, guava, leather, dark chocolate, forest floor, candied orange segments.
Taste:
Robust. A balance of sweet citrus, orange and grapefruit, dried apricot, toffee, spice and forest floor earthiness.
Finish:
Extraordinarily long, raisins and sweet-spice finish.
93/100. This score seems to be becoming a theme amongst some of Old Master's releases...but in my view it 's justified. I tried this alongside a different, older Armagnac (more on that soon), which to me was much more of a "typical brandy". Very very good, but instantly a Brandy. This 1982 though, to be this is, in my opinion, a whisky drinkers' Armagnac.
— Martin Eber, Time for Whisky
4/5. This is definitely one to look at for if you're a brandy and/or cognac/armagnac fan, and it won't last long. For a great quality 39-year old single cask spirit of any description, that's some serious value for money!
— Tim Grant, Peated Perfection
The Process
The journey in selecting this fine spirit from cask to bottle.
