L'Encantada "Yak Pack"

This is a Domaine Lous Pibous 1996. Barrel #185. Private bottling. Similar to some of the other private barrel Armagnacs hitting the groups. Nose- grapes and figs are forward and the oak dominates. This is a rich, full bodied nose that beckons you with oak and sweetness. Palate- there is a wonderful jellied orange slice followed by vanilla cream, almost like a dreamsicle. The oak takes hold toward the mid palate followed by a flavor of ....dear I say strawberry Starbursts??? There is a waxiness here just like in the candy but it is a familiar, welcomed flavor of youth! Dangerously drinkable by comparison to the higher proof. Incredibly rich Finish- nice juicy finish almost like orange marmalade with some dryness and wood to balance out the fruitier flavors. Overall- I am well satisfied with this for a mid aged Armagnac. Pricewise.....perhaps it is a bit too much considering you can get a quality hors' d age off the shelf sub $100 rather easily, but not one that is handpicked and not at cask strength. The richness from the higher proof is exquisite and my thought is that the finely aged Armagnacs that I have had (40-50yr range) are better in form and function but different in their own right. Where they have a more polished, buttery, and barrel funky attraction, this has a younger, bouncier, rougher and more playful appeal. To all things there is a season and the point here is clearly made. All and all this is a quality and well selected armagnac