The latest armagnacs from Hontambère / Rac Spirits arrived. The first one is their own production, a Hontambère 2012. This is 100% Folle Blanche, matured in a dry cellar for 14 years. We already tried 2013 before.
Next up is one of the Pouchégu casks, this time a 1998. Check some of their previous releases.
Armagnac Hontambère 14 yo 2012 (50,6%, OB 2026, cask H16, 400 btl.)
Nose: a nice combination of citrus notes, eau-de-vie from mirabelles, a touch of greens and then also nougat and walnuts. Then also marmalade, hints of heather and a bit of white pepper.
Mouth: apples aplenty (fresh and cider apples), with grapes, berries and some tannic / peppery power. A bit of an eau-de-vie style. There’s some rustic character, but also brightness and a nice juicy edge. Mid-palate I’m getting a toffee note and light vanilla, which evolves towards herbs and liquorice, with a pleasant bitter citrus edge.
Finish: medium length, oak spice comes forward, a little verbena and liquorice.
I believe the colour of this mock-up is a bit off – it’s actually a lot lighter (even the 1998 below is not that dark). Still ‘on the way’, in my opinion, but simply a good spirit. More to my liking than the Hontambère 2013 I tried earlier. Let’s hope we can try this again after more time.
Armagnac Pouchégu 28 yo 1998 (51,1%, Hontambère 2026, Limousin oak cask #D5, 100 btl.)
Nose: starts on caramelized walnuts, hints of stewed orchard fruits and candied ginger, along with strong floral hints. The Limousin also brings a big minty and mossy side, as well as a resinous note. Then liquorice and plain wood come out – in fact the wood becomes a little overpowering over time.
Mouth: well yes, this confirms the woodiness that is a little over the top. There’s a lot of liquorice, some tannic notes and resins, leaving a mouth-coating dryness. Later herbal tea, a little pear eau-de-vie and drops of bitters appear as well.
Finish: medium, but focused on herbal and bitter notes, with toasted wood and a hint of white pepper.
Rustic and woody, quite a bit below the other Pouchégu expressions we’ve had from Hontambère. A bit of an outlier, that’s simply the state of things today. Score: 81/100