Arras – Chateau de Laubade Blanche
For a few years now, unaged Armagnac has been an insider’s tip. However, since regular aged Armagnac already is not the most popular of spirits, this probably will stay that way for quite some time. This really is a pity, because unaged Armagnac has a lot of potential in mixed drinks. So, the Chateau de Laubade Blanche is well worth checking out!
The Folle Blanche grapes for the Chateau de Laubade Blanche Armagnac all come from the Laubade estate. After the harvest they are crushed, fermented and then distilled on Laubade’s Alambic still from 1974. The distillate ages in stainless steel tanks and the finished blanche Armagnac has an ABV of 42 %.
Fruity and grassy
Of course, the Chateau de Laubade Blanche is not as complex as a luxurious eau de vie, but in its own, the Armagnac positively surprised me. You can taste a lot of grape notes, unsurprisingly similar to Pisco, which reminded me of Pinot Noir wine and champagne. Apart from that, there are certain yeast notes combined with some hints of grass. I enjoyed this unaged Armagnac even more than I thought I would. So, I can only reckon that it will make excellent cocktails!
Grapy Negroni
Well, there are an almost infinite number of cocktails I could have mixed up with the blanche Armagnac – variation of Pisco cocktails, variations of cognac cocktail… Yet, I decided to mix up a Negroni-esque cocktail. I was inspired by Frederik aka Ginmops and him replacing the sweet vermouth with Tawny port. Of course, any reasonable Tawny would make due here. It just happens that I had a twenty-year-old opened bottle standing around. Furthermore, I also replaced the Campari with the mellower and more complex Bitter del Professore.
3 cl Del Professore Bitter
3 cl Taylor‘s 20 Years Tawny Port
Garnish: Dried Orange Wheel;
Song: Local Natives – Statues in the Garden (Arras);
The “Arras” starts off with typical Negroni notes. However, after a short while the grape and wine flavours of the Blanche Armagnac in combination with the port hit. They take the drink in a more fruity direction. Apart from that, the Del Professore adds a certain caramel-like bitterness to the cocktail. All in all, because of its complex deliciousness this Negroni-inspired drink should be a perfect fit for Negroni-fans and novices alike!
*The fact that I received a product reviewed in this article for free, did not – in any way – influence the rating of said product. The Armagnac was provided by Ferrand Spirits.
