the house

Baron de Sigognac

  • Location Château de Bordeneuve, near Eauze
  • Appellation Bas-Armagnac

Armagnacs Baron de Sigognac are renowned for their originality and exceptional quality. Meticulous distillation in small copper column alembics ensures a slow, controlled process, giving each vintage an unrivalled aromatic bouquet. Their vintages, carefully preserved in Paradise, range from 1893 to 2005, promising a unique tasting experience with every sip.

An iconic legend surrounds the name Baron de Sigognac. It is said that one day, this baron, fascinated by the mystery of Armagnac ageing, removed all the traditional clocks from his cellars and replaced them with special dials. On the latter, each dial had only ten divisions, transforming each second into a year and each large hand into a decade. These singular clocks, counting only the centuries, symbolized the Baron's deep connection with time and the unique ageing process of Armagnac.

Legend has it that Baron de Sigognac came to rely solely on his palate to determine the age of his Armagnacs. Abandoning clocks, he became the living embodiment and indelible memory of his precious Armagnacs.

Baron de Sigognac Armagnac is a vibrant and passionate reflection of the soul of Gascony through the centuries. The Guasch family, owners of a vineyard dedicated exclusively to the production of Bas-Armagnac from Ugni Blanc and Baco grapes, invite you to plunge into the heart of this timeless history with Baron de Sigognac.

Grape varieties
Ugni Blanc and Baco (variable blends: 100% Ugni Blanc, 80/20 or 50/50 depending on the cuvée)
Distillation
Traditional armagnacais still (short column), continuous distillation, almost a century old, producing approximately 50 to 60 casks per year
Ageing
Ageing in oak casks at Château de Bordeneuve; continuous distillation on site since 1974
Awards
The legend of the 'clocks of Baron de Sigognac' (17th century); awarded prizes at several international competitions
69 products

Baron de Sigognac vintages

64 vintages from 1900 to 1998, each linked to its bottle.

Our merchant's guide

Baron de Sigognac

Baron de Sigognac, from Théophile Gautier's novel to armagnac

The name is no accident. The Baron de Sigognac is the hero of Capitaine Fracasse (Captain Fracasse), the swashbuckling novel by Théophile Gautier published in 1863. Under Louis XIII, this penniless young nobleman, the last heir to his name, lives in a crumbling manor in the Landes, until the evening a troupe of actors knocks at his door. He follows them, out of love for Isabelle, a young actress, and takes on the role of the Matamore under the name of Captain Fracasse. So begins Captain Fracasse's journey along the roads of France and on to Paris, a tale of theatre, hardship and duels with the Duke of Vallombreuse.

This classic of French literature, somewhere between picaresque novel and adventure story, has inspired many adaptations: in cinema, by Abel Gance (1943), Pierre Gaspard-Huit (1961) and Ettore Scola (1990), but also on stage, on television and in comic books. A famous character, proud and romantic: a fine namesake for an old armagnac from Gascony.

Château de Bordeneuve, home of the Guasch family

Baron de Sigognac armagnac is made at Château de Bordeneuve, near Eauze, in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, in south-west France. The Guasch family, present in Gascony since the 12th century, is represented there by Jean-Claude and Thomas Guasch, father and son. The vineyard combines ugni blanc and baco, in proportions that vary from one cuvée to another. Continuous distillation has taken place on site since 1974, in an armagnac still that is almost a hundred years old, filling only around fifty casks a year.

The collection in our shop

  • To discover the brand: the VS Signature and the VSOP Réserve;
  • For a lover of old armagnac: the XO Platinium, or the 25 year old and 50 year old decanters;
  • For a birthday gift idea: a vintage, from 1900 to 1998, including 1946, 1966 and 1976.

To compare with other Gascon houses, browse our vintage armagnacs, year by year.

Tasting

The Sigognac style is long, round and fruit-driven, with notes that evolve over the years. With age, the aromas gain in complexity: toasted dried fruit, roasted coffee, dark chocolate. Serve it at room temperature, in a tulip glass, and take your time.

Frequently asked questions about Baron de Sigognac

Who is the Baron de Sigognac?

In short, he is the hero of Capitaine Fracasse: a ruined gentleman who, after his adventures with the troupe, marries Isabelle and recovers his restored château. Theatre, love, honour: the great themes of the novel give Baron de Sigognac armagnac a fine touch of legend.

Where is the baron's château?

In Théophile Gautier's novel, the Sigognac manor stands in the Landes. The armagnac itself comes from Château de Bordeneuve, near Eauze, in the Gers.

How much does a Baron de Sigognac armagnac cost?

It depends on the age and the vintage. Each product on this page shows its price.

Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.

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The houses of Gascony

Each house has its own cellar, its own still and its own way of waiting. We represent them with no middleman.

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Jean Cavé 113 bottles Armagnac Delord 92 bottles Château de Millet 79 bottles Dartigalongue 76 bottles Baron de Sigognac 69 bottles Armagnac Castarède 63 bottles Clés des Ducs 48 bottles Château de Laubade 43 bottles Domaine de Pellehaut 28 bottles Château de Bordeneuve 17 bottles Charles de Granville 13 bottles Domaine de Danis 7 bottles

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Authentic vintages, from 1888 to the present day.

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