Armagnac 1962

1962, a turbulent world and a fine harvest

1962 was a year of high international tension: the Cuban missile crisis raised fears of the worst in the autumn, and Algeria gained its independence. Far from this upheaval, the Gascon vines produced a vintage of fine ripeness and elegance, regarded as a great vintage. After more than six decades in cask, these brandies show a silky profile of great complexity, between candied prunes and sweet spices.

Six producers for the 1962 vintage

Here, house by house, is what each bottle brings. All come from Bas-Armagnac, the terroir at the heart of the appellation, in the Gers and its borders, and all contain only brandies from the 1962 harvest. Our selection brings together merchant houses, family estates and a distiller and ageing house.

• Armagnac Delord, a house in Lannepax founded in 1893: a 1962 at 40% ABV, aged in the family cellars. A first nose of rancio, prune, quince paste and almond, then apricot, cocoa and mature oak as you taste.
• Armagnac Castarède: 58 years in oak casks, then bottled in 2020, at 40% ABV. A bright golden yellow colour, floral and candied fruit aromas, a gentle attack and a round, balanced texture.
• Dartigalongue, based in Nogaro since 1838: a 1962 at 42%, with toasted oak, vanilla and leather. Fine structure, stewed plum, and a fairly long finish of dried fruit.
• Baron de Sigognac: this Baron de Sigognac armagnac is aged at Château de Bordeneuve, the Guasch family estate, from ugni blanc and baco. An amber colour with mahogany glints, very fine notes of rancio and raisins, broad and well balanced, with a rich prune finish.
• Clés des Ducs, born in Panjas in 1774: a 1962 at 40%, selected cask by cask and never blended, with measured oak that lets the year speak.
• Jean Cavé, a distiller and ageing house in Lannepax since 1883: its 1962 Bas-Armagnac AOP is a brut de fût (cask strength, not reduced) at 44.1% ABV, bottled without any added water.

How to choose a 1962 armagnac

Start with the style. If you like mature notes, rancio and candied fruit, look to Delord or Sigognac. If you are after softness and a round attack, the Castarède is a safe choice. Dartigalongue will appeal to those who like leather and toasted oak. Finally, the Jean Cavé, higher in alcohol, is for lovers of cask strength armagnac.

The best 1962 armagnac is therefore the one that matches the taste of the person you are giving it to. Feel free to read the detailed notes on each product page, or to ask our customer service for advice: it is what we do.

Six decades of savoir-faire

For a 1962 bottle to still exist today, a house had to keep its brandy in cask for generations: that is the whole story of the old armagnacs of Gascony. It all began with a white wine from the 1962 harvest, made from grape varieties such as ugni blanc, baco or folle blanche, distilled the following winter in a copper armagnac still, following the production tradition of the South West. Then time did its work: the oak gave its colour and tannins, and evaporation concentrated the aromas.

An armagnac only ages in the cask. In the bottle, it stays as it is: a 1962 bottled in 2020, like Castarède's, has therefore truly spent 58 years in wood. This is also what sets it apart from an XO-style blend, in which several years are combined.

64th birthday or wedding anniversary: a gift from the exact year

In 2026, those born in 1962 turn 64; couples married in 1962 celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary, known in France as the astrakhan anniversary. A less expected birthday than the 60th or the 65th, and that is precisely the occasion to mark it with a dated spirit. A 1962 armagnac can be shared on the day of the celebration or join a collection, without ever losing its qualities.

Tasting a 1962 armagnac

Choose a tulip glass, pour a small measure, and leave the armagnac at room temperature for a few minutes. The colour, often amber to mahogany, reveals its age. The aromas build up in layers: prune, raisins, quince, leather, cocoa, rancio. Take your time over the first sip; the second always says more. A real experience, to be kept for a quiet moment. The finish of such a spirit can last for long minutes.

Store the bottle upright, away from light. Once opened, it stays lovely for several months.

Frequently asked questions about 1962 armagnac

How much does a 1962 armagnac cost?

It varies according to the house, the strength and the rarity of the batch. The price of each bottle is shown on its product page.

Where can I buy a 1962 armagnac?

At Plaisirs de Gascogne, an online shop specialising in vintage armagnacs: secure payment, orders packed with care, delivery in France and across Europe. Our selection comes directly from the houses of Bas-Armagnac, in France.

What are the characteristics of 1962 armagnac?

An old brandy from a single harvest of fine ripeness, aged for more than sixty years: a deep colour, complex aromas, a broad texture and a long finish.

What are the best 1962 vintage armagnacs?

It all depends on the style you are looking for: rancio at Delord and Sigognac, roundness at Castarède, structure at Dartigalongue, power at Jean Cavé. Our customers' reviews, on each product page, also help you decide.

Also discover our full range of vintage armagnacs, or the 1963 armagnac for a neighbouring year.

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