Janneau VS Tradition Grand Armagnac (700ml)

As French brandies go, Armagnac is the lesser-known rival to Cognac, despite being its forerunner. It stems from small, often family-owned producers, unlike the big multinational names that dominate Cognac. Single estate vintage dated bottlings are not uncommon, and they frequently include dates or age statements confirming the actual age of the brandy - a rarity in Cognac. Janneau's VS is aged at least 3 years, distilled from Baco and Ugni Blanc harvested from the two main regions of the Appellation - Ténarèze and Bas-Armagnac resulting in a light and supple expression.

Other reviews... See, even the Armagnacqais are now adding age statements to their young spirits. A matter of trust and transparency! Colour: gold. Nose: lovely, fresh, fruity, full of yellow peaches, golden raisins, and yellow melons (Spanish?) Orchard fruits. It’s not an old-style ‘caramelised’ armagnac at all, even if it does get a little fudge-y after a few minutes. Vanilla fudge. Mouth: well, the vanilla got a little loud for me, and the spirit’s a little rough, perhaps. Not feinty of course, but perhaps a little too eau-de-vie-ish, reminding us of some ‘white’ armagnacs that they like to drink down there in the Gers region. The vanilla and the oak are a little prominent, and make me think of many a modern Scotch malt whisky. Right NAS. Finish: rather short, an a little oaky. Comments: the nose was quite superb, but the palate’s pretty uninteresting. Unless, I guess, you add a few ice cubes. Maybe that’s the point…  75 points.

Gold Medal CGA – Concours Général Agricole 2024

Notes from the producers... Colour: Bright amber. Nose: Very fresh and fruity with aromas of young plums and iodine as well as vanilla and liquorice. Palate: Flavours of oak and chocolate.