Delord Armagnac 1981

This is a rich drink with a nice balance of sweet and bitter elements. It features a good amount of wood presence, not excessive, along with spice like cinnamon that emerges. Cocoa notes appear and disappear, while toffee lingers subtly in the background, and cherry is, of course, present. The depth is exceptional, with understated characteristics skillfully harmonizing. The overall character is smooth, creamy, and substantial. A rich orange note supports it, reminiscent of a particular brand's 21-year offering. In summary, this is an outstanding achievement. The balance is superb, the depth is astonishing, and most of the flavors are very successful. If consumed after something sweet like a specific national symbol, the wood flavor might seem a bit harsh. However, when compared to a certain VSOP, the tannins are quite mild and the flavor is excellent. At times, one can even detect beautiful woody banana toffee rum notes, similar to a specific brand's rum. With proper timing, a pleasant smoke note can also be found. It performs well in typical settings, perhaps on par with a certain 18-year Highland Park. If you're seeking a high-end brandy, this is it! Rich, with cherry, raisin, chocolate, and spice (cinnamon, clove). This is a luxurious drink with wonderfully balanced flavors. The depth and richness are amazing, despite the tannins being a bit much. Flavors include toffee, cocoa, raisin, a hint of cream, and cloves. This drink possesses a robust flavor profile. Compared to a particular 25-year Glenfarclas, this is fruitier and spicier, but about equally rich. It offers more sweetness, and those who dislike cherry cough syrup might find it offensive. The richness and woodiness characteristic of an aged spirit are certainly present, adding significant depth. This is a terrific drink, though it falls just short of the quality of that specific Glenfarclas 25. That said, most brandy enthusiasts, except perhaps the most sensitive palates, will appreciate this. Compared to the same 25-year Glenfarclas, this has more of a cola flavor and less depth. It has a more mature character than a specific 14-year Glenfiddich aged in bourbon barrels, despite the cola taste, but it also lacks some of that Glenfiddich's complexity. When contrasted with a bourbon, this is quite sweet. When compared to a standard brandy, it is rich and woody. The flavor is immensely rich with abundant wood and cherry, yet the cherry doesn't dominate. Subtle spices are present, with richness supported by caramel notes. Some spices emerge, with cinnamon being slightly overtaken by ginger and clove. A mild anise note is present, introducing a slight bitterness that complements the wood but is a bit pronounced. The aroma is quite aged and enjoyable for that reason. While it doesn't possess all the depth of that specific Glenfarclas 25, it offers richness and balance that make for an enjoyable brandy, though it might be a touch too fruity after a bourbon or peaty Scotch. The richness is outstanding, but more complexity would be welcome. The richness is exceptional – its age is undeniable. It presents predominantly as fruity (red fruit), suggesting it's a brandy rather than a whiskey. Some spices are present, along with mild burnt caramel, dark chocolate, and hints of coffee. The bitterness is quite strong, as expected for a spirit of this age. The mild coffee undertone is not particularly appealing due to its tartness, but the overall flavors are generally good. The richness is great, and the complexity is solid. It's a good price for a spirit of this age, but superior spirits are available. Woody, fruity, and spicy. Vanilla is abundant, and the sweetness level is appropriate. It's not excessively sweet but sufficiently so. The wood contributes a cocoa powder flavor, and the spiciness comes mainly from pepper. A specific 25-year Delord is noticeably sweeter. This is really good, with the age providing delightful robustness, but the Delord 25 likely offers better value if you don't mind a sweeter brandy. This is rich and woody, but also sweet with a cherry presence. Plenty of caramel is mixed with toffee, and there's abundant vanilla. The flavor is incredibly rich and indulgent. There's a good amount of spice, and the bitterness has a digestif-like complexity. This is a reasonably complex drink that is abundantly rich. The anise highlights the alcohol a bit too much, but it's not an unpleasant flavor. This is an excellent example of what an Armagnac should be. The digestif notes are more prominent than in the Delord 25, but that's not necessarily a drawback. This is a tremendous success. Wood, cherry, spice, caramel. It could benefit from more complexity, but its richness is a decadent dream. The finish eventually offers a mouth-watering hint of orange. There's also a subtle cola flavor, reminiscent of a specific candy, which is surprisingly enjoyable. This level of richness is remarkable at such a low ABV. The aroma is rich, featuring savory, earthy notes mingled with caramel and pleasant cinnamon and allspice. The palate is rich and quite full of bitter wood with a dark (around 60%) chocolate flavor, a nice blend of dark and brandy cherries (which adds some caramel sweetness), a slight alcohol burn, and some rich cinnamon with a hint of allspice. There's a subtle herbal note, somewhat like licorice, and a touch of wet wood, but nothing too extreme. This is highly comparable to a specific XO Cognac, although perhaps not quite as good, and it is priced considerably lower.

Welcome to another installment of “That’s Not Bourbon!” a blinded sample from a friend;) It has a rich, red-amber color. Viscous appearance in the glass. This suggests a substantial, high-end drink. Velvety. Rum - no. Initially, I detected molasses, but it has more ester characteristics - beyond banana. Armagnac? There's a significant wine influence with stewed red and dark fruits, along with some nutty rancio, a bit of musty oak, and a touch of leather. Hints of an antique cigar box. My dog next to me won't stop sniffing the air. What a fantastic combination of funky, musty wood and overripe esters. I believe I detect an incredibly faint anise note at the very end, just enough to maintain interest. I can't date this accurately, but I'd be astonished if it spent less than 20 years in French oak. Perhaps American? I'm definitely improvising as I go, fantasizing about cool cellars, dim lighting, and spirits crafted over generations. Heavy but not excessively thick. Prominent oak notes with bitter walnuts, pumpkin bread, allspice, clove, nutmeg, cedar, hints of baker's chocolate, pure vanilla, orange zest, and light caramel. I feel like putting on a red velvet robe and instantly growing a beard. Maybe afterward, I'd step onto my balcony and gaze at snow-capped mountains while rolling a cigar on the railing. Again, none of this makes logical sense, but it doesn't really need to. Delord 1981. Wow. This has existed for about as long as I have - a peculiar sensation indeed. Never mind that. The empty glass leaves behind notes of leather, musk, and caramel. I owe a huge thank you to a friend for sharing this pour and helping me experience what I think the younger generation calls a “big mood” (it might be outdated, but it fits).

Aromatics - grape must, butterscotch, vanilla, black cherry, plum, apricot, orange zest, fig, cinnamon, nutmeg, robust oak, black pepper, chocolate-covered raisins, with a mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - tart grape, black cherry, plum, raisin, dark chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon, butterscotch, vanilla, bitter walnut, ginger, black pepper, orange, lemon, tannic oak, a mild to moderate alcohol sting, concluding with medium length dark fruit, chocolate, and musty, tannic oak flavors. How did an additional five years in the barrel affect this compared to the 25 Year I reviewed yesterday? The evident difference is its much darker, more somber character on the nose and palate. The bright citrus and fruit notes of its younger counterpart are absent. Instead, dark dried fruits, semi-sweet chocolate, and strong oak dominate. I'm also detecting a strong Raisinettes aroma. The palate is similarly less vibrant and sweet, with damp, musty fruit and wood replacing the youthful qualities of the other. I prefer this over the 25 Year. It aligns more with my preferences with its darker, less sharp profile. It doesn't quite reach the caliber of the single cask, barrel proof L’Encantada offerings I reviewed, but it's not substantially inferior either. With a slightly higher proof, it could almost match those in my estimation. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample!

Celery on the nose. A fruity "play dough" flavor profile. Significant moldy oak on the finish. More intricate than the 1998 Laubade, but lacking its smooth texture.

This second armagnac is distinct from the first. It smells sweet and has a slight fiery sensation on the tongue. It's light, floral, and fruity.

Subtle, sweet, not overwhelming.