2008 Domaine De Charron 17 Year Old Single Barrel K&L Exclusive Bas-Armagnac (750ml)

Domaine De Charron is really one of those secret gems that I know brandy bros are trying to keep for themselves. I have never been into a cellar more exquisitely taken care of than the gorgeous caves at this tiny Domaine. The commitment to quality and specifically a quality that the rest of the larger apparatus eschews is unparalleled. If there was ever a cross over whiskey drinkers brandy this is the one. Imagine getting a cask strength single barrel 17 year old bourbon for $110? You'd probably assume it was terrible considering the price, but you'd still buy it anyway. This ridiculous brandy is absolutely delicious - 17 years in new gascogne oak and bottled without manipulation of any kind. Let's give it a go. The color is a shimering auburn (1.5). The nose is bold and red fruited, with huge sweet oak notes and dense cherry compote. It's the sweet sticky red fruit that leads the mind toward bourbon on first nosing, it's the rich barrel spices that take you the rest of the way home. On the palate, it pops with huge juicy damson plums, butterscotch, tahitian vanilla and cinnamon spice. The texture isn't quite where a 17 year old bourbon might be, but it's dang close and the oily mouthfeel is a testiment to the quality of their spirit. The finish is long with candied cinnamon and red fruit dominating. A totally under appreciated product that the classical brandy people might find a bit overarching, but the bourbon guys will fall right in love here.