Today we’re back at Chateau Hontambère in Ténarèze for some of their rare armagnacs. For their latest releases they selected a few more casks that originated at Pouchégu.
I really like the changes they made to their labels. In the past I found it confusing how they seemed to avoid mentioning the original distillery (often the case with armagnac or cognac), but now it’s clear they are acting as a bottler / négociant for part of their range. Kudos for this leap towards transparency!
Armagnac Pouchégu 45 yo 1980 (45,4%, Hontambère / RAC Spirits (49,7%, OB 2025, single cask #A10, 80 btl.)
Nose: lovely hints of cigar boxes and varnished exotic hardwood, along with some notes that come really close to ancient Oloroso. Think prunes and dates, caramelized nuts and a lot of tobacco. Spectaculoos in the background (spectacular speculoos). Then plenty of furniture polish and light volatile notes, underlined by bright citrus oils and cranberries.
Mouth: rather wood-forward now, with firm sandalwood, other exotic woods and varnishes, as well as a big mentholy wave. Maraschino cherries, more cranberries, raisins and prunes underneath. Then cinnamon and liquorice wood, along with herbal tea. A nice sweet-sour-spice balance. Orangettes with bitter chocolate too.
Finish: very long, now quite leathery, with more heavy tea, chocolate and a little camphor.
This is 100% Ugni Blanc from the lost Domaine Pouchégu, from which they’re hauling some very nice casks. If memory serves me well the 1982 was a little more juicy and less woody, but this is a great bottling nonetheless.
Armagnac Pouchégu 30 yo 1995 (54,8%, Hontambère / RAC Spirits (54,8%, OB 2025, single cask #B4, 200 btl.)
Nose: more fruity. Stewed mango and apricot comes out, with dark honey and some caramelized notes. Then citrus notes and rich vanilla, crushed mint leaves. Some earthy, mossy notes underneath. The initial solventy edge goes away with a few drops of water.
Mouth: a deeply honeyed profile now, with stewed pear and apricot balancing the resinous and woody notes. Liquorice, bright mint, as well as some firm grassy notes in the middle. Then it moves to almonds and sandalwood again.
Finish: very long, with a return of the bright fruity notes, orange peels, mint and mild mossy notes.
A slightly rustic and woody profile again, but in a very aromatic way, backed by fruits. A really nice combo we had today! Score: 90/100