Comte de Lauvia Armagnac Réserve

A delicate, Réserve Armagnac from France which is a blend of eaux-de-vie created from Ugni Blanc, Baco Blanc & Folle Blance grapes matured initially in new casks made from Gascony oak before moving to older casks. Réserve is made up eaux-de-vie aged around 7-15 years. It opens floral at first, with wafts of orange blossom & lilac. Soon enough, a good kick of oak & baking spices. A palate with notes of cinnamon & nutmeg, with a touch of white pepper. Creamy vanilla & brioche. apricot pastries; while floral notes return on the finish, joined by dried fruit & citrus peels & a bit of warmth. August 2017

(Selected&Blended: 2001 to 2009) Frankly speaking, and this might sound controversial, I probably liked the Reserve slightly less than the younger Fine version of Comte de Lauvia due to the increased intensity, "harshness" and spirit profile which it shows. Also Fine seemed a bit more perfumed whereas the Reserve is more about heavy sweet cigar and fruity notes. However, to be fair, in context of taste and aroma, they really are richer and better expressed here. To the nose: latte, moccha, milk chocolate, cocoa beans, oriental delights, viscous sweet honey. To the taste: sweet plums, raisins, cigar humidor, plenty of sweet, spicy and a little bit hot spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom; some nuts, mango, honeydew melon. To the finish: still spiced and hot, a little bit of wood appears, some nuts again, vanilla, brown sugar. Surely liked it a lot. It might have become a disappointment in a way as I was expecting a real development from the Fine version yet nevertheless it delivers a huge state of satisfaction to the moment you finish the bottle. Looking forward to trying the Hors d'Âge.