Tariquet Bas-Armagnac VSOP

Aroma: Freshly squeezed fruit juice, notably peach, apricot, strawberry, and nectarine. A hint of ginger ale and some vanilla, but the sweet fresh fruitiness dominates everything. Underlying notes of solid and elegant oak cask. A revitalizing and invigorating aroma. Taste: A soft, fruity initial impression that briefly turns slightly spicy before reverting to sweet fruitiness. The same stone fruits found in the aroma are present here along with some fresh plums. The texture is full yet verging on dry, which is very pleasing. The oak tannins are perfectly integrated. Finish: Medium length. Fruity and semi-dry, leading into a subtly tannic-spicy, leathery, and cinnamon aftertaste. I don't entirely concur with the official tasting notes here (for instance, I found it to be well-balanced, but that's just my opinion) however, I agree that it functions better as an apéritif than a digestif. In fact, this would be a delightful alternative to pastis on a cool autumn evening. Alternatively, this would be suitable after a meal, but the ideal pairing would be a very mild cigarello or even a machine-made cigar. Something subtle enough to allow the armagnac to be the main focus. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

A decent Armagnac, but not the best I've had.