What COGNAC/ARMAGNAC Are You Drinking?

[Peter Petersen]

K&L have a bunch, yes, you can thank me in part since they were reluctant to restock. Will be picking up some 12 and 15 year olds soon.

[Craig G]

Has anyone had the 1992 Laballe that K&L has (or other Laballe)? I browse all their 92 stuff now and then as I have a daughter born that year, and this came up.

[P. Willenberg]

I have not had it. but it does look like they have some nice choices for 92s at a similar price point including the ethereal Bruichladdich and a Fonseca. I highly recommend the laddie, it's such a pure expression.

[Craig G]

I went to a Tesseron tasting at a local shop tonight. They had the 90, 76, 53, 29 and two higher end ones, Tresor and Royal Blend. The 53 and particularly 29 are extraordinary. I can't rationalize the $600 for the 29 but if I were ever to spend that for a bottle of something that would probably be it.

The two higher end ones (selling for $1250 each) were very good but even the importer agreed they were not as good as the 53 and 29, just rarer.

There's an interesting style difference between the 53 and 29. 53 is bolder, more like people have described above. The 29 is lighter in body but has an amazingly complex bloom in the mouth.

I liked the 90 quite a bit and more than the 76 tonight. It's not as complex as the others but it has a nice freshness to its aromas and is very bold. I ended up with a bottle each of 90 and 53. At my rate of drinking such things that may be a lifetime supply.

[Michael Bowden]

Just bought a bottle of Louis XIII and Paradis.....unsure when they will be opened...but always good to have around the house just in case.

[Robert A]

Bought a couple cases of wine from a west cliff drive estate....'74 Inglenook Cab '74 Beaulieu Beautour Cab and others Krug, kept thinking about the cork cap in a bottle that twisted off. So took a peak and quite a surprise. 1972 half bottle of Remy Napoléon Grand Champagne Cognac. The sweetest sound you ever heard was the psst sound of a sealed bottle of 45 year old Cognac being opened after 40 years since the last glass in 1972...4am and had to try it!!!! Fantastic!

[Steve Brickley]

Beautiful butterscotch and carmelized sugar flavors.

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[Doug Hein]

What I try to keep on hand and highly recommended:

Chateau Montifaud XO
Pierre Ferrand Sélection des Anges
Prunier XO

Right now I am having a Marthe Sepia 30 year old. Very nice at 44% ABV.

[Eric Ifune]

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[Alan Rath]

K&L has an 87 Armagnac I'm thinking of trying, anyone had it?

[P. Willenberg]

K&L has an 87 Armagnac I'm thinking of trying, anyone had it?

I see 4x 1987 Armagnac. got one in mind?

[Alan Rath]

K&L has an 87 Armagnac I'm thinking of trying, anyone had it?

I see 4x 1987 Armagnac. got one in mind?

Domaine du Cardinat

[Michae1 P0wers]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

I've not had the Cardinat. They also have an '87 Jean-Bon. Last year I bought the '96 and '99 Jean-Bon and much preferred the '99. The '96 tasted a bit tired, so that would make me worry about the '87, but that could be vintage or bottle variation as well. In any case, they're probably all quite nice, but I grabbed some '87 Baraillon and it took some self control not to buy several.

[Chris Freemott]

Anyone try the Kirkland XO? Should I be ashamed to say I really like it. And it's a steal at $49.00

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

You can get the tesseron 90 for $57...

[danupdike]

Just finished a bottle of Marie Duffeau Napoleon Armagnac; my go-to.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

I picked up some grangerie Armagnac, we'll see how it is.

[David K o l i n]

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]A couple of bottles on the bubble added a couple of Marc as well):

[Randall McFarlane]

On a recent trip to France, I paid up for a fancy tour of Otard, and ended up buying a bottle of their Baron Otard 1972 Cognac Petite Champagne. I shared a glass with a friend the other day--astoundingly good stuff.

[Craig G]

Does anyone know anything about Jean Cavé Armagnac? Good apes just offered a bunch of old ones.

Edit: just noticed the great auto-correct above

"Good apes" should be Grapes (Wine Co).

[Curtis Chen]

if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Awesome! Just purchased the 87 for a friend's 30th birthday.

[William Segui]

Anyone try the Kirkland XO? Should I be ashamed to say I really like it. And it's a steal at $49.00

damnit, now I must buy one next time I'm at Costco.

[William Segui]

Anyone try the Kirkland XO? Should I be ashamed to say I really like it. And it's a steal at $49.00

damnit, now I must buy one next time I'm at Costco.

It isn't life changing, but it is easy drinking and a tremendous value. These are perfect for scratching the casual cognac itch, I'm going to grab a few more.

[Bob Kot]

The “Larressingle X.O. Armagnac Grande Reserve”. Extraordinary.

Cheers!

[Alan Rath]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

[DavidN]

Advice for a beginner... I'm into all whiskeys, tequila, mezcal, and gin, but I've never really tried cognac.

Where do you recommend someone begins?

[Michael O'Brien]

I am a big fan of the Tesseron Lot 29. Unfortunately, the prices has continued to increase. When I first bought it cost was $215 per bottle. It is now up over $600 in my market.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

I think the Tesseron line is a good one to start with. 90 and 76 are well priced.

[Craig G]

I bought a 1964 Leon Beyries “La Hauresse” Armagnac from K&L a few months ago (my wife’s birth year), and we opened it tonight. We like it a lot - very smooth with lots of creme brûlée, vanilla, chocolate, leather, and dried fruit, but our kids (19 and 25) gave mixed reviews:

Thing 1 (25): “I can smell the chocolate and vanilla, but also the rubbing alcohol.”

Thing 2 (19): “It smells like nail polish remover.”

[William Segui]

I am a big fan of the Tesseron Lot 29. Unfortunately, the prices has continued to increase. When I first bought it cost was $215 per bottle. It is now up over $600 in my market.

A handful of years ago, Tesseron was fairly priced. Not sure if it was the Parker scores or what, but prices have taken off -- which is a bummer as I really like the house.

Loaded up on a bunch L'Encantada Armagnacs awhile back, should last me a good while.

[William Segui]

Anyone try the Kirkland XO? Should I be ashamed to say I really like it. And it's a steal at $49.00

No shame here, I like it as well. I haven't picked one up in awhile, but ripped through a bottle or two awhile back. If these ever hit clearance/.97, I'll clear them out.

[Peter Petersen]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

This being summer I store my brandies in my wine fridge. That helps.
Also I'd try Dartigalongue. They have several that are very good starting with the XO, are generally very traditional (rustic with effusive aromatics), and with ABV of 40%.
Briat is also very good.

[David Henry]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

This being summer I store my brandies in my wine fridge. That helps.
Also I'd try Dartigalongue. They have several that are very good starting with the XO, are generally very traditional (rustic with effusive aromatics), and with ABV of 40%.
Briat is also very good.

+1 on the Dartigalongue, especially the 25 year old, which is a bargain at $120.00.

A whiff of fruitcake on the nose delivers plenty of dried fruits and Christmas spices. The fruitcake intensifies on the palate before notes of licorice and something reminiscent of old library books is revealed. Winner of a 2017 Chairman's Trophy from The Ultimate Spirits Competition, scoring 97 points.

Reviewed by: F. Paul Pacult

[Michae1 P0wers]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

Alan,

I just saw this (obviously rather old) post and was wondering how the rest of the bottle was faring? I sometimes find that spirits mellow and improve over the course of a few weeks of air. It is admittedly a very "in your face" kind of Armagnac. I also much prefer brandy as a winter drink, where that bracing character is what I'm looking for. Not sure I'd think of that particular bottle (or any armagnac) as a summer brandy. I'd go to Cognac for that, as many cognacs tend to have more flowers and fruit whereas I look to Armagnac for power, rusticity, toffee/butterscotch/wood flavors.

I never drink brandy with ice, though I drink less expensive cognac with Perrier a fair amount. I have wondered though if a few drops of still water in good Armagnac would open it up a bit like Scotch and maybe round it out a bit too. I may experiment with this when I start into brandies again this winter.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

Picked up the comandon XO and lustrac 25 lately.

[Alan Rath]

Alan, if you are going to buy an '87 you should really, really buy the Baraillon that they have. Vintage (1982) Domaine de Baraillon is the first serious brandy I ever tried back when a buddy of mine used to work at a wine bar. It is truly excellent stuff. I've had '82, '83, '84 and I believe '86, and each was excellent, but '87 is supposedly the best vintage of that run ('82 also strong I believe).

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

Alan,

I just saw this (obviously rather old) post and was wondering how the rest of the bottle was faring? I sometimes find that spirits mellow and improve over the course of a few weeks of air. It is admittedly a very "in your face" kind of Armagnac. I also much prefer brandy as a winter drink, where that bracing character is what I'm looking for. Not sure I'd think of that particular bottle (or any armagnac) as a summer brandy. I'd go to Cognac for that, as many cognacs tend to have more flowers and fruit whereas I look to Armagnac for power, rusticity, toffee/butterscotch/wood flavors.

I never drink brandy with ice, though I drink less expensive cognac with Perrier a fair amount. I have wondered though if a few drops of still water in good Armagnac would open it up a bit like Scotch and maybe round it out a bit too. I may experiment with this when I start into brandies again this winter.

Michael,
It really didn't change after being open for a while. I've managed to go through 1/3 of the bottle, but have not enjoyed it the way I hoped. I bought a couple other bottles around that time, which I will probably offer on CC:

1986 L'Encantada "Domaine Le Frêche" Cask #44 Bas-Armagnac
1987 Domaine de Baraillon 29 Year Old K&L Exclusive Armagnac

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

Astor has the Navarre for $180 with free shipping today for anyone who was thinking about it.

[Peter Petersen]

Michael (if you see this), I did buy the 87, finally drinking it now. Honestly, it's a bit too strong for my tastes. Now I'm wondering if it's completely gauche to drop a bit of ice in for dilution. ABV says 43%, so not extremely high, but between the alc and a bit of rusticity, it's a tough drink.

This being summer I store my brandies in my wine fridge. That helps.
Also I'd try Dartigalongue. They have several that are very good starting with the XO, are generally very traditional (rustic with effusive aromatics), and with ABV of 40%.
Briat is also very good.

+1 on the Dartigalongue, especially the 25 year old, which is a bargain at $120.00.

A whiff of fruitcake on the nose delivers plenty of dried fruits and Christmas spices. The fruitcake intensifies on the palate before notes of licorice and something reminiscent of old library books is revealed. Winner of a 2017 Chairman's Trophy from The Ultimate Spirits Competition, scoring 97 points.

Reviewed by: F. Paul Pacult

I've been drinking the 25 year old Dartigalongue last two weeks. Stunning drink.

[David Henry]

Picked up the Jean Fillioux XO Grande Reserve Grande Champagne Cognac today. With an average age of 30 years, it is another very fine French brandy brought in by spirits importer Heavenly Spirits (as is the very fine 25 year old Dartigalongue Grande Eau de Vie Armagnac). An excellent value at $120/bottle, this won the Chairman's Trophy from the 2018 Ultimate Spirits Competition. It is interesting to compare the Fillioux and the Dartigalongue side-by-side. It really illustrates the differences between a fine Cognac and a fine Armagnac at the same price point and pedigree. For a tasting note, etc., see https://www.ultimate-beverage.com/ultim ... ne-Cognac/

[Alan Rath]

The Fillioux sounds great, wish there was some available locally.

[Paul H Galli]

The Delamain 'Pale & Dry' XO Grande Champagne Cognac is far and away my favourite. It is not a big, powerful style, but has marvellous complexity and depth of flavour; really fine and elegant on the finish. I have never tried Hine but am eager to do so this year and may be able to pick up a bottle while travelling.

This has always been my standby.
It's feminine with evolving, complex flavors to the aftertaste.
I take as small a sip as possible to avoid the alcoholic bite.
A glass lasts me all night....

TTT

[Rajesh P a r i k h]

I've been buying at least one of every L'Encantada I can find. I live pretty close to Kentucky where even things like Henry McKenna 10 yr are becoming allocated and I think this is quickly becoming my bourbon alternative.

[David Henry]

Somewhat reluctantly, I recently picked up another bottle of the Delord Bas Armagnac 25 year old. I hesitated because the price has risen to $70.00/bottle (from around $50.00/bottle just a few years ago) as it keeps winning a lot of awards at international competitions. In addition, at times some bottlings of this brandy are a bit dark, brooding and overly oaky and masculine and, while fairly enjoyable, really haven't been in my wheelhouse (especially since I generally prefer brandies that are on the more elegant and feminine end of the spectrum). The most recent bottling, however, walks a fine line that is a little lighter and more elegant but exhibits the unique power and character that you can only find in an Armagnac. At this price point, the current bottling is worthy of the many international medals and accolades it has won and is an excellent value brandy.

[Vuk K]

Delord 25 here too. Love the stuff.

[Mark Golodetz]

Frappin 1942 and 1943 bottled by Harvey’s. Both amazing; I have a slight preference for the 1943.

Disclaimer: a merchant I deal with had a large amount; I bought several cases, and occasionally sell some.

[Joshua Kates]

Picked up an '86 Laberdolive Bas-Armagnac when in NYC December. Not cheap, but the extreme age intersects with the extreme rusticity in a wonderful way.

[Jay Miller]

Picked up an '86 Laberdolive Bas-Armagnac when in NYC December. Not cheap, but the extreme age intersects with the extreme rusticity in a wonderful way.

I love the vintage Laberdolives.

[Joshua Kates]

Picked up an '86 Laberdolive Bas-Armagnac when in NYC December. Not cheap, but the extreme age intersects with the extreme rusticity in a wonderful way.

I love the vintage Laberdolives.

Yes, Jay,

Truly special. Have you tried other vintages? '86 is the only one I've had and I am curious about how much difference the vintage at this late date may make.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

How much did the laberdolives run? I’ve only had them btg in France.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

Picked up some Briat 1996; I can get the 91 too but the 96 was higher proof, so we’ll see.