Marie Duffau Napoléon Armagnac

Aroma: Lovely butterscotch and fig newton scents. The aroma is mild yet noticeable. Taste: It has a smooth, buttery texture and a creamy quality. Oak appears early, followed by spices like all-spice and nutmeg. It's gently warming. Grape jam and caramel candies emerge at the end. Aftertaste: Becomes slightly woody and bitter. I wonder if the somewhat astringent finish mellows as it opens up. This is where some have noted a bit too much ethanol at the end. I'll hold off on a final decision for future tastings, but if there's a drawback, it's here. Overall: This was a fresh bottle, and the aspects I enjoyed, I REALLY enjoyed – a great aroma, good sweet and spicy balance. The finish, however, left me a bit disappointed. Lots of wood notes and ethanol. My past experiences suggest this will dissipate as the bottle ages. I'm eager to try it again in about a week and share my findings. I prefer a more direct style of Delord. For me, the flavors are more distinct. BUT if you prefer a softer version, this might be for you.

I was somewhat surprised to find this rated higher than the Marie Duffau Hors d'Age. While younger, it possesses good complexity, just slightly less refined. The aroma has notes of apple, oak, and a hint of stone fruit, possibly apricot. The taste includes nutmeg, oak, and vanilla with a slightly oily texture. It's apparent it's a young brandy. The finish has a mild burn and peppery notes, similar to the Hors d'Age. Considering its price, I can understand why some might prefer this over the Hors d'Age, but I would still choose the latter. Both are excellent introductions to the Armagnac category.

A pleasant, light copper hue. The aroma carries notes of raisin. The taste mirrors the aroma, with a light raisin sweetness and some warmth. The mouthfeel and finish are medium. This was my first experience with Armagnac, and I initially compared it to Cognac. I found it to be somewhat harsher, with more heat, but a more pronounced flavor due to single distillation. This bolder character complemented my preferred maduro cigars. I'm eager to try other Armagnacs.

Appearance: Amber-Copper. Slow-forming, beading legs. Smell: Sweet dried raisins, vanilla, oak, and prunes. It reminds me of my grandfather's aged wine that turned into Marsala. Rose ice wine also comes to mind. Taste: Sweet, smooth, and well-balanced. There's a lot of good grape flavor and a pleasant warmth from the alcohol. It also has a nice spiciness and nuttiness, specifically cloves and a hint of cinnamon. It has good body and a decent finish. A comforting spirit! I genuinely adore this Armagnac.

This is sweet and fruity with significant impact (the impact comes from the flavor – it's actually quite smooth). The red fruit isn't bad, but it's reminiscent of another brand. Brown sugar and some spice are present, along with a hint of smoke. The spice provides a slight kick and helps balance the sweetness without being overpowering. The depth is decent, but I wish it were richer and more varied. I enjoy it and how it evolves slightly over time, but it's not exceptional.

Intense French oak spice, sawdust, some dryness, dried apricots, a whisper of vanilla from the upper palate, herbal and earthy notes, red plum, fresh fig, creamy, floral dew, a hint of candied orange peel, apple butter, sultanas, and sharp lemon conclude the finish. It's well-aged, as suggested by the Napoleon designation. The origin/grape variety is more apparent here than in cognac. Fig, apple butter, and plum linger for a while. It would pair nicely with a cigar. However, it lacks consistency.