L'Encantada Domaine Le Frêche 1988 #17 (K and L)

Nose - grape must, black cherry, chocolate malt, cinnamon, nutmeg, toffee, vanilla, orange, sweet oak, spearmint, powdered sugar, date, fig, toasted marshmallow, raisin toast, walnut, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - tart grape, orange zest, lemon, chili pepper, ginger, salted caramel, dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, graham cracker, nutmeg, apple skin, tannic oak, plum, apricot, bitter walnut, fig, moderate alcohol bite, finishing long with musty grape, dark chocolate, deep citrus, and spicy, tannic oak flavors. This is the final L’Encantada I have, and I think it’s the best of the bunch. The profile is much darker every other Armagnac I’ve tasted. The color is similarly very dark, and at 30 years old it’s a far deeper shade of brown than the 31 year old Domaine Del Cassou I reviewed yesterday. The nose is beautiful. Dark fruits, malty chocolate, rich citrus, and strong oak abound. The aromas are particularly whiskey-like in a very good way. The palate has the telltale Armagnac tartness, but it’s deliciously balanced by dark chocolates, salted caramel, and dark, tannic oak. This is exceptional Armagnac. A purist may find it to be too dark and possibly overoaked, but as a whiskey lover, I’m really enjoying the profile. Although I admit, I’m a sucker for oaky, rich, robust spirits, and this is exactly that. I didn’t think an Armagnac would break into my hall of fame, but I’m giving this a rare 4.5 with no hesitation.

I really like what these guys are doing. L’Encantada is a small bottler that scopes out Armagnac from micro-producers —-we’re talking farmers that do this in their barn producers. It’s an ultra-niche area, and that means getting your hands on great products that simply don’t have the benefits of a distribution outlet. This one here is from the region le Freche, so probably from several micro producers. About 30yt old , and now discontinued. This is grape jelly meets chocolate. You gotta love grape jelly…if you don’t, then you won’t be a fan. Great viscous mouth coating with a heavy amount of chocolate and grapes. Another amazing bottling ..and if I recall correctly, it was about $100 when it came out ( who knows now…since it’s from a discontinued source ). So that makes for an amazing VFM. Try finding a 30 yr discontinued whiskey for that price. ( you’ll find it for close to $1000). Really thankful to @ctbeck11 for sharing a pour!

Had a sample of this at a friend’s apartment tonight. The best armagnac I have ever tried. Nose: White, Dark, and Milk Chocolate, Raisins, Prunes, Vanilla, Christmas Cake, Violets, Sultanas, Cookie Dough Palate: Vanilla, Violets, Chocolate, Apricot, Cherry, Light Oak Finish: Chocolate, Cherry, Plum, Oak, Vanilla

N: plums, fudge, tapioca pudding, caramel, bubble gum P: medium viscosity, raisins, white pepper, pine, grape, heavy whipping cream, cocoa nibs F: medium length, oaky without drying, tootsie rolls, blackberries , rye spice, licorice

Raisin and musky grapes on the nose. Rich and complex flavor profile. Light oak and even a hint of smoke? The 45.1% abv adds a nice punch. Certainly the most flavorful/sophisticated Armagnac I’ve sampled.

One of a few armagnacs I have tried. Very light and smooth mouth feel. Slightly sweet with no overbearing flavors.