Bas-Armagnac from Domaine de Mestépès, Distilled in 1990, 100% Baco, Gascogne French Oak Cask, 58,4% ABV, only 250 bottles, 200ml
« A walk between Islay, salty breezes and peat smoke, towards the Gascon forest where the pine forests whisper secrets, pipe in hand. »
Colour : Chestnut
Nose : Fruits and pastries tug at each other. On the one hand, nectarine, guava and a hint of lychee; on the other, lemon meringue pie, freshly melted caramel and a generous black forest. The referee? A touch of wood glue and a dash of pine sap. A real battle, slightly funky, and putting on a show.
Palate : Explosive! Tropical fruits take over, papaya, mango, pomegranate, before giving way to a warm croissant, soft caramel, a hint of liquorice and a background of cocoa beans. It's rich, delicious and lively!
Finish : Quite fresh, with a hint of menthol. Fruits in syrup return gently, accompanied by a melting brioche to finish on a sweet note.
Conclusion : A playful profile, balancing tropical fruit, a generous dessert and a few woody notes. There's a lot going on, but it works perfectly, a real pleasure.