Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 700ml 1981

Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 1981 is a single-vintage Bas Armagnac from Parleboscq, bottled from one year's distillation rather than blended.

Armagnac is France's oldest brandy, distilled in Gascony for at least seven centuries and predating Cognac by roughly a century and a half. Bas Armagnac, the westernmost of the three sub-regions, sits on sandy fawn soils that are held to give the most perfumed and finely textured spirit of the appellation. Château Laballe lies in the village of Parleboscq, between the Gers river and the edge of the Landes forest, and was bought by Jean-Dominique Laudet in 1820 after a career in the spice trade; Cyril and Julie Laudet are the eighth generation to run it. The 1981 is distilled entirely from Baco, the hybrid variety permitted only in Armagnac, where its thicker skins and generous alcohol give a spirit that holds shape through long wood ageing. Maturation took place in casks of Landes oak in the estate's chai, and the house style across Laballe's vintage releases leans on freshness as much as power, a trait the family attributes to early distillation and unhurried reduction.

Drink now; it will not gain from further time. Serve at room temperature, around 18°C, in a tulip glass, with dark chocolate, roasted nuts or a slice of prune and armagnac tart.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.