The Whisky Jury bottled its second and third armagnac (after the excellent Garreau 1976) as a duo. Both come from Domaine de Laguille in Eauze. In their cellars they selected a 1971 from dame-jeannes (100% baco) and a 1987 from a single cask (baco and ugni-blanc).
Armagnac Laguille 1971 (42,8%, The Whisky Jury 2026, B1-4, 144 btl.)
Nose: I admit I had accidently nosed the 1987 first, and after that this one is unexpectedly buttery. Werther’s Original, pecan pie, some cinnamon buns. A few umami notes as well, slightly mushroomy rancio. Then tobacco leaves, latte and some dates. It takes some time before it opens up towards brighter notes.
Mouth: quite raisiny, with more dates and more caramel. Nut pastry, hints of toasted oak, drops of sesame oil and a slightly dark and tangy black tea theme. Old leather and leaves, later also liquorice and exotic spice. A tiny fruity edge as well, but it would have benefited from a bit more vibrant notes.
Finish: medium and drying, on tobacco notes, coffee sweets and walnuts.
This one plays the card of caramelized notes and oxidative rancio at bit too much for my taste. It has plenty of weight but remains quite dark.
Armagnac Laguille 1987 (43,4%, The Whisky Jury 2026, cask #21, 72 btl.)
Nose: so there, this is more classic and vibrant. Nice cigar boxes, light mentholy notes and polished furniture. Some drops of prune juice, sour berries and volatile Oloroso. Then hints of gingerbread caramelized walnuts. Everything is in balance here, very rich and fresh at the same time.
Mouth: quite bright again, with fruity acidity of mirabelles, cranberries, blood oranges and raisins. Some forest honey, light cedar wood and leathery notes. A bit thin in the middle, but it picks up hints of fruit tea and cigar leaves, as well as some drops of herbal liqueur over time.
Finish: medium to long, with a pleasant sour woody note and a drying leathery hint.
A very pleasant combination of drier notes, juicy fruits and polished oak. My preference goes towards this one, for being brighter and wider. A nice combination of profiles, from the same house but still pretty different. Score: 90/100