Janneau Napoleon Armagnac (700ml)

Tasting note: A blend of Ugni Blanc, Bacco and Folle Blanche Armagnacs made from Bas Armagnac and Tenarèze wines aged mostly in Limousin oak casks. Bright polished copper. A wonderful bouquet features lifted aromas of sweet oak followed by rich, weighty scents of marzipan, cherry tobacco, raisin bread and new leather. There’s classic Armagnac concentration but the delivery is contemporary and accessible - soft, round and supple, conjuring flavours of prune, cocoa and honey - sweet, but not overly so - and balanced to finish dry with late suggestions of almonds, leather and dates in the aftertaste. The length is good. The balance is impeccable. The price is a no brainer. An early contender for the best spirits buy of 2014. Be quick. 40% Alc./Vol.

More about this house...Janneau was founded in 1851 by Pierre Etienne Janneau and is one of the oldest distilleries in the appellation. It was passed through four generations until the giant cognac company, Martell, purchased the family property in the early 1970s. Martell made significant investments in new equipment and expanded the maison's capacity to become one of the most important production plants and storage facilities in the region. In 1993, the Giovinettis bought Janneau with the intention of returning the house to its original status as a family-run business. Paying meticulous attention to detail and quality, Janneau is also distinguished from other producers by using two types of distillation: both continuous and double. It remains under the management of Fabio Giovinetti.