Spirit review: Darroze Armagnac Grand Assemblage 12 bottled @ 43%

Spirit review: Darroze Armagnac Grand Assemblage 12 bottled @ 43%

Colour: Light gold, oily with long legs.

Nose: floral, pepper notes, lots of fruits, fresh, very fragrant, comfit fruits, light tannin

Mouth: very peppery to start with, lots of fruit, oily, oranges, chewy, even more waves of fruits

Finish: Lots of sweets, light tannin, leather notes.

B+ for the price. 99$ sounds not bad. Can easily win over Laballe's
A- for the taste. Very nice, yet hard to begin with but give it some times.
A for the presentation.

Spirit review: Michel Forgeron XO Grande Champagne 1er Cru bottled @ 43%

Spirit review: Michel Forgeron XO Grande Champagne 1er Cru bottled @ 43%

Colour: Dark gold, medium bodies, medium legs

Nose: Minerals, tannin, leather, comfit fruits, fruits, orange, marmalade

Mouth: Nothing like the nose. Robust to say the least, leather notes, fruity, oily, sweets, oranges again....meh

Finish: lighter sweet, light warming, rough.

B- for the taste. Some VSOPs are better than this one. Sad XO indeed.
B- for the price. 99$ for this...how about No way. Plus its 500ml...
B for the presentation. Very forgettable and not eye catching at all.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1963 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1963 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 4th Laballle, 50 years old

Colour: deep gold, darker copper, oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of yellow and red fruits, very fresh, depths of confit fruits, very fresh, light yellow fruits, very settled.

Mouth: strong wow factor on first delivery, oily, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, marmalade, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: almost no burn, cherries, pear, sticky fruits. almost perfect. Very nice.

B+ for the price. 327$ is like...ok But... Very enjoyable. This 50 years old Armagnac should have been more carefully monitored.
A- for the taste. I would sip on this one, no questions asked. But, the price...c'mon, some XO's are more affordable and better.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Conclusion for Laballe: Not the best Armagnac House for sure. Worth giving a shot if you are into decent priced but very peppery Armagnacs.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1973 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1973 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 3rd Laballle, 40 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, medium oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh,depths of confit fruits, very fresh, light yellow fruits, very settled.

Mouth: strong arrival again, greasy, oilier, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: almost no burn, cherries, pear, sticky fruits. Very nice.

B+ for the price. 200$ is good for the age. Much better than the 2 previous ones. Very enjoyable. But then again, would you expect less for a 40 years old spirit?
A- for the taste. Impressive upgrade, less peppery.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1983 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1983 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 2nd Laballle, 30 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, oily, long legs

Nose: lighter pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh,depths of confit fruits, very fresh, floral, much more settled.

Mouth: strong arrival again, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, orange, strong arrival that turns to yet agani a bit flat. 

Finish: long burn, sticky fruits, notes of sherry

B for the price. 140$ is very good for the age. Yet the taste it still a tad behind.
B+ for the taste. A rougher yet Nice armagnac, a bit peppery again. Maybe these hard white pepper notes are Laballe style.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1993 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

Spirit review: Armagnac Laballe 1993 (2013) Bottled @ 40%

- 1st Laballle, 20 years old

Colour: dark gold, hints of copper, oily, long legs

Nose: light white pepper, lots of fruits, very fresh, broken sugar pieces, vanilla, mineral notes, sweets, confit fruits, light and peppery

Mouth: strong arrival, crisp fruits, pear, cherries, white pepper, some robust notes, orange, apples. Wow arrival that turns to a quick halt. Turns to sticky fruits

Finish: light afterburn...but not very pleasing.

B for the price. 112$ is ok for the age. Yet the taste does not fit.
B for the taste. A rougher yet Nice armagnac.
A for the presentation. Nice bottling.