Francis Darroze 1959 51 Year Old ★

Spirit Name: Spirit Type:	Francis Darroze 1959 51 Year Old Brandy
Score:	91/100
ABV:	40%
Region:	Bas-Armagnac, France
Body:	Full
Intensity:	Gentle
Texture:	Slightly viscous
Balance:	Near perfect
Best served:	Neat
Theme(s):	Blackberry, dark berries, dried apricot, prune, dates, rancio, wine, leather, cigar, wood, powdered coffee, dried oregano, tobacco, bubblegum, fig, mango, herbaceous, menthol, eucalyptus, cherry and vanilla cola syrup, popping candy, complex, gentle, elegant
Summary:	This Armagnac glides along the palate like molten silk, buzzing with subtle shades of character and a finesse and elegance that only 51 long years in oak can produce - the fusion of flavours meld together and then slowly untangle as gentle strands of character delight the senses and the masterpiece unravels.
Tasting notes:	By refusing to blend or dilute their Armagnac, Francis Darroze offer the uncut purity of Armagnac at its finest - the equivalent to cask strength single cask single malts, but for the world of French brandy. A big part of Francis Darroze is its emphasis on the land from which the grapes are grown, Bas-Armagnac. This land is believed to give the grapes a particular character, which, with proper nurturing and care, survives distillation and maturation. This particular Armagnac was distilled in 1959 and has been aged for 51 years before being put in its bottles.  Tasting a spirit that is older than you are is very special, but tasting a spirit that is older than your parents is a level above that – it is mesmerizing, provoking an indescribable appreciation for the 50+ year old spirit that sits sloshing in your palm.  Darroze 1959 51 Year Old Nose: Subtle shades of leather - suede in particular - intermingle with sharp flecks of cocoa and gentle fumes of tobacco. The rancio develops in the glass, with distinct wine aromas and wood notes - cedar and cork with polished wood. There is a confectionery sweetness on the nose that is dense, very similar to raspberry and blackberry jam and it weakens into strawberries and cream. As the Armagnac rests in the glass, faint notes of anise seed develop with powdered coffee and other herbaceous notes, in particular died oregano and tarry wet cigar. The dried oregano intensifies the longer the spirit rests in the glass, as its candied grape sweetness spearheads character that is light and surprising fresh for such an old spirit.  Taste: Amazingly unique and complex, there is a fusion of character that is at first taste almost indescribable - it is simply an "x-factor" that delights. On consecutive sips, it reveals itself as neither fully bitter or sweet but a combination of herbaceous and woody notes that are held together by fruit notes (dark berries, dried apricot, prune and dates) and combine the sugar sap-like sugars of wood with the tangy character of herbs - pronounced notes of raspberry and blackberry drops develop into bubblegum and popping candy, and as it tingles on the palate the wood begins to reveal itself with sweet tobacco notes and candied ginger (without the sharpness) developing with cedarwood. The sweetness then dissipates into soft fresh fig and gentle mango notes, as menthol and eucalyptus begin to faintly sine in the backdrop of flat cherry and vanilla cola. This is spectacular, and 51 longs years in oak has produced some fascinating flavours that shine faintly as the Armagnac slides down the palate like molten silk.  Finish: The confectionery sweetness remains with yellow peaches and tart yet sweet fruit notes.
Likes:	Hugely complex and delightfully light, this Armagnac is unique and should be savoured slowly
Price:	$665 (Aus)