Maker: Delord Family, Armagnac, France
Region: Bas Armagnac, Gers, France
Age: 6 y/o
ABV: 40%
Appearance: Auburn with thick, heavy legs.
Nose: Pungent, rustic, but rounded nose. Solera sherry, prunes, plum eau de vie.
On the palate: Very full-bodied, boozy and sweet. Raisins, prunes, star anise, clove. A tiny tannic hit of oak.
Finish: Warm and dry with a little more oak. Plenty of heat that seems to get more intense after a swallow.
Parting words: Armagnac has long been Cognac’s lesser known older brother, but the upside of that is while Cognac is dominated by big foreign-owned producers (the product of the British love of Cognac), Armagnac is still filled with family producers like the Delords.
This is the first brandy I’ve reviewed for this blog, and it was a fun one. Brandy is not something I drink a lot of, especially in the warmer months, but even on an 80 degree day Marie Duffau was a pleasant companion. She’s brash and spicy, but I’ve always enjoyed the company of such ladies. The Delord family makes a full line of Armagnac, all of which are very good according to bandy-loving friends of mine. Being a younger expression, this one is also a good value and a nice introduction to the flavor profile of Armagnac. Marie Duffau Napoleon Armagnac is recommended.
Sipology 