1972 Single Cask Armagnac
46.0% ABV Cask Strength • Distilled: 1972 • Bottled: 2022 • Aged 39 years in cask and 10 years in glass demijohn • Limited to 151 bottles • Release Date: 20th October • RRP: $299
This 1972 single estate vintage was created by third-generation master distiller Monsieur Rambach. Then aged for 39 years in French Oak cask prior to being moved to glass demijohn for an additional 10 years under the watchful eye of Jean-Claude Guasch, before being bottled at natural cask strength of exactly 46% abv. Expect notes of butterscotch, rum and raisin ice cream, berry compote, autumn leaves and sage. So good it had us floored with one sip.
The Origin
A single estate vintage that was entirely hand harvested and produced by master distiller Monsieur Rambach back in 1972. Then aged for 39 years in French oak prior to being moved to glass demijohn under the watchful eye of Jean-Claude Guasch, before being bottled at natural cask strength of exactly 46% abv.
The two grape varietals coming from a single estate, used to produce this eau de vie were 80% Baco and 20% Ugni Blanc.
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:
Bright and Floral. Butterscotch, candied orange segments, berry compote, autumn leaves, pipe tobacco and sage.
Taste:
Unfolds quickly. Fig jam, sultanas, dark chocolate, boiled sweets, mixed berry compote and baking spices.
Finish:
Rum and raisin ice cream covered in caramel sauce with a hint of anise. Medium-long length.
92/100. A complex, well-made and thoroughly enjoyable Armagnac. For me, the 1982 slightly edges it out, but in my view it's more of a "whisky drinker's Armagnac", whereas this is more of a "brandy drinker's Armagnac". A little more traditional, but very, very high quality.
— Martin Eber, Time for Whisky
(4 out of 5, but closer to a 4.5) Another delicious bottling from Deni & David! Which shouldn't come as a surprise. What does come as a surprise though is how light on its feet this armagnac is for something that has spent nearly four decades in French oak and then a decade in glass.
— Tim Grant, Peated Perfection
91/100. It's got this 'rustic' side that you would expect from a proper Armagnac. In short, perfectly authentic old Armagnac 'from the countryside'. Love it.
— Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun
The Process
The journey in selecting this fine spirit from cask to bottle.
