2000 Domaine d'Ognoas Vintage Bas-Armagnac 750ml

For all the traveling we do to Scotland, and now France, it's very, very, very rare that we find a value-priced spirit of quality for our K&L exclusive collection. Usually, it's simply better to pay the extra $25 and just go with something older. That logic has held true almost 100% of the time until we happened upon Domaine d'Ognoas distillery in Armagnac last January. As a property that's been in existence since the 1200's, Ognoas spends much of its time as an agricultural school and a training ground for young distillers. Because of their status as a "co-op" of sorts, the operation is partly subsidized by the French government, which means the prices are insanely low! Lucky us! Ognoas uses local trees for their cooperage and puts a medium toast on the barrel for a kiss of sweetness in the brandy. The 2000 vintage is a blend of 30% Folle Blance and 70% Ugni Blanc. On the nose, aromas of pencil wood, vanilla, and marzipan come brimming out of the glass. The palate is all dark fruit and soft cocoa, with spicy notes on the long, dry finish. For $55 I don't think there's any amount of this we can't sell. It's easily the best value we've ever found spirits-wise across the Atlantic. For anyone even remotely interested in experiencing a taste of our new French spirits import program, this is a must-buy. Now I just hope we can get more! (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)