300925 Fri Oct 07 11:22:57 -0700 2005 7 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1675473 Over the summer, I've begun to acquire a taste for Armagnac after a nice meal if a restaurant offers it on the menu. Now, with winter fast approaching, I think it's time for me to take the leap and buy a bottle for home consumption. I'm not looking for anything too outrageously expensive, just a really nice bottle for a semi-novice. I'm particularly a fan of a very dry armagnac that almost tastes like vapor wafting over the tongue. Any suggestions on a brand and year? Thanks in advance. David Fri Oct 07 11:22:57 -0700 2005 0 David B 1 1675477 From Beverages and More's site: Les Domaines Grassa Reserve Armagnac 5 STARS (out of 5) SPIRIT JOURNAL. Flavors explode on the tip of the tongue with huge flavors of rancio, oak resin, blue cheese, grape preserves and dark caramel. Long, lush, satiny finish. US$29.99 I don't find _all_ those flavors but it is quite complex. I enjoy the quick hit, the long finish, and strong caramel bouquet. Caveat Emptor: It _is_ an acquired taste, very much like 10 yo CS Laphroaig, though. Link: http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000069044&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=armagnac&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=armagnac&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All Fri Oct 07 11:59:24 -0700 2005 1675473 0 The Ranger 2 1675486 Ranger: This sounds really nice. In my limited experience, Armangnac itself is an acquired taste, but I'm definitely getting there. I'll see if I can find some here in NYC. Thanks! David Fri Oct 07 16:40:39 -0700 2005 1675477 0 David B 3 1675508 Having grown up in Spain, I have just recently rediscovered Armagnac after being wiled away by isle of islay single malts (Aberlour 15yr- wow)...however, there is room for both! May I suggest deMontal VSOP from Gascony, full-flavored, yet smooth and mellow; you can get it in Manhattan at Beacon Wines for around $35. And when you get that christmas bonus, the XO is amazing. Happy tasting! Sat Oct 08 17:11:10 -0700 2005 1675486 0 rsebastianx 1 1675478 I'm not going to give you any Armagnacs - my experience is that you have to get into some serious bucks before you hit the good stuff. But here are a couple of reasonable alternative distilled/fortified grape derivatives that cost less and I feel are quite good for sipping: 1) Gran Duque d'Alba - Spanish brandy from Jerez Solera Gran Reserva 2) Germain-Robin's Alambic Brandy (see below) Link: http://www.sbwines.com/g.html Fri Oct 07 12:14:13 -0700 2005 1675473 0 applehome 2 1675485 Thanks for the info applehome. David Fri Oct 07 16:37:08 -0700 2005 1675478 0 David B 1 1675534 Samalens VSOP got best value($50) in a NY times tasting a few years back Sun Oct 09 22:37:46 -0700 2005 1675473 0 Quazi 1 1675547 Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. At these prices, I may pick up a few bottles. It should be a wonderful winter. Thanks again. Mon Oct 10 11:41:51 -0700 2005 1675473 0 David B