Armagnac: Tartas, Pouy, Garreau, Hontambère

The useful part

We start with a closed estate Michel Tartas, which was bottled by Authentic Spirits. Chateau Garreau 1976, Hontambère 2014 selected by Le Blog à Roger and Domaine Pouy bottled by L'Encantada. Bas-Armagnac Michel Tartas 32 yo 1992 (43,1%, Authentic Spirits 2024, 50 cl) Nose: quite an aromatic and friendly profile, rather cognac-like with juicy fruits.

How it works

• Score: 90/100 Armagnac Hontambère 12 yo 2014 (54,5%, RAC Spirits for Le Blog à Roger & Hedonist 2026, Folle Blanche, cask #H1, 50cl) Nose: rather heathery start, with hints of pine and walnuts.
• Score: 86/100 Armagnac Pouy 25 yo 1998 (57,9%, L'Encantada 2025, Ugni Blanc + Colombard, cask #99, 50cl, 56 btl.) Nose: orchard fruits and oranges, some nice waxy notes (paraffin), hints of almonds.
• Pouchégu 1980 / 1995 Armagnac 1974 / Hontambère 1989 / Fontan 1996 89 Search for:
• Then a nice hint of star anise and crushed mint leaves, along with a subtle floral edge.

What to take from it

Finish: quite long, with more fruity echoes, a drying hint of leather and walnuts. Mouth: still bright and vibrant, now displaying a combination of peach, minty freshness and orange. Very gentle and refined armagnac, at some point closer to cognac or even a very old whisky.

Example or evidence

• Bas-Armagnac Garreau 1976 (50,1%, OB 2026) Nose: richer and sweeter than the Tartas.
• Mouth: sweet and sour tropical notes, mango and papaya along with bright berries and a hint of bergamot.
• Add to this some resinous notes and mint leaves and we're suddently thinking of TDL rum.
• A little herbal tea and ginger, along with cedar, subtle vanilla and a balanced peppery kick.

Details worth keeping

Peaches and nectarines, with some tangerine underneath. Then there's cedar wood, with a resinous touch and some herbal tea. You get the wood influence but it doesn't come with a tannic note.

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