1974 Single Cask Armagnac
48 Years Old • 51.2% ALC • Distilled: 1974 • Limited to 152 bottles • Release Date: 14th March 2024 • RRP: $269
A 1974 vintage distilled using a 100-year-old traditional alembic column still, and matured for 48 years in a single French oak cask from Gascony in Chateau Garreau’s underground wet cellar. Bottled at natural cask strength, displaying fruit notes of apricot, melon, and berries, followed by some baking spices with a long finish.
The Origin
This 1974 vintage experienced a perfectly balanced season, with equal parts rain and sunshine. Master Distiller Monsieur Saint-Martin, distilled this eau de vie from a combination of Ugni Blanc and Baco using a traditional alembic column still. It then spent 48 years maturing in French oak casks from Gascony in Chateau Garreau’s underground wet cellar, aptly nicknamed ‘the burrow’. Fourth-generation owner, Madame Carole Garreau, continues to manage the estate with their 100-year-old still in use for distillation.
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
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Floral and fruity. Apricots, cherries, and melons along with strawberry starburst candy.
Taste:
Honeydew melon, cherries, dried fruits, and nuts.
Finish:
Stewed fruits, nuts, and baking spices. Unbelievably long length.
The Journey
The quest in selecting this special spirit
