Domaine de Mandillet 1976/2026 - 50 y.o. - 200ml - Armagnac Darroze

Volume: 0.2 litres | Alcohol content: 51.5% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Half a century in local oak has shaped this Bas-Armagnac from Domaine de Mandillet. Distilled in 1976, the spirit matured for 50 years before Darroze bottled it for the Unique Collection in August 2026. Continuous distillation produced a spirit at 59% alcohol; after its long cask maturation, its natural bottling strength is 51.5%.

Within the Unique Collection, each estate and vintage remains distinct: Darroze blends neither spirits from different estates nor different vintages. The Armagnacs in this range mature separately in oak casks with a capacity of 420 litres. They are neither diluted with water nor supplemented with sugar, caramel or tannin. This Armagnac has no added colouring and is not chill-filtered. Its golden colour has brown highlights.

The long maturation brings candied fruit together with spicy, earthy rancio notes. Roasted aromas and oak also emerge, while the palate retains its character despite the spirit's considerable age. The 0.2-litre bottle comes in black Darroze gift packaging.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: After a few seconds of exposure to air, notes of liquorice, toasted bread, nutmeg and cloves emerge. Candied plums and quinces meet woodland undergrowth and pronounced rancio aromas. Dried figs and dates add to the bouquet. Bold roasted coffee and a woody note of pencil shavings provide further accents.
• Palate: On the palate, spices mingle with gingerbread and honey. The tannins are clearly noticeable yet silky. Ripe apricots, roasted hazelnuts and a subtle vanilla note complement the dense mouthfeel. The texture is almost syrupy.
• Finish: Pronounced oak carries the long, dry finish. Roasted coffee lingers, accompanied by lasting spice.

Distillery/Bottler:

Domaine de Mandillet lies near Eauze in Bas-Armagnac and is run by the Morlan family. The estate covers 45 hectares of reddish sandy soils and soils known locally as Boulbènes. Baco is the grape variety used. The family carries out its own continuous distillation and uses local oak for maturation.

The history of Darroze is linked to Jean Darroze's restaurant in Villeneuve-de-Marsan. It was there that his son Francis became acquainted with the wines and spirits of Gascony. From the late 1960s, Francis expanded his selection of Bas-Armagnacs from small estates and took charge of their maturation and bottling. Marc Darroze joined the company in 1994 and continues this work today. The selected spirits mature in the cellars at Roquefort and Labastide d’Armagnac, with the distinctive qualities of each estate and vintage at the heart of the approach.

Facts: