1963, the year of a historic winter
In France, the winter of 1962-1963 remains one of the harshest of the twentieth century: a long, intense cold that left its mark on the countryside. In the vineyards of Gascony, the season then ran its course through to the 1963 harvest. The white wine produced was distilled, and the brandy was entrusted to the cask, where it aged until bottling.
More than sixty years of history in a bottle
A 1963 vintage armagnac carries a single year: everything in the bottle comes only from the 1963 harvest. That is what distinguishes it from a blend such as XO, which marries several ages. The time spent in the cask, on the other hand, depends on each house: some bottled their 1963 long ago, others kept it in the cellar much longer. The bottling date, when it appears on the label, tells you. Once bottled, armagnac no longer changes.
Six estates, six faces of 1963
Each producer has aged its brandies in its own way, with its own casks, its cellar and its style of bottling:
This page also offers a 1963 calvados from Charles de Granville, for those who prefer Normandy's cider brandy.
How the 1963 armagnac was made
It all starts in the vineyards of the Armagnac appellation, in South West France. The 1963 grapes, mainly ugni blanc, folle blanche, baco blanc and colombard, first produced a light, crisp white wine. During the winter, this wine was distilled in the armagnac still, a copper column that runs continuously and retains a great many aromas. The clear brandy then went into Gascon oak casks, often new at first and older later on, for long ageing.
In the cellar, part of the alcohol evaporates every year: this is the angels' share. The strength slowly falls, the colour deepens and the aromas grow more complex. Most of our 1963s are Bas-Armagnacs, from the part of the appellation known for its tawny sands.
Bottle sizes and styles in our selection
All our 1963s come in 70 cl bottles, in two styles. The reduced vintages from Delord, Dartigalongue, Castarède, Baron de Sigognac and Clés des Ducs were gradually brought down to a gentler strength before bottling. The Jean Cavé 1963 is brut de fût, bottled at its natural strength: more powerful, it is aimed at lovers of character. The price of each bottle is shown on its product page.
1963 armagnac tasting notes
No estate ever produces the same armagnac twice, but very old vintages share a family likeness. The colour is deep mahogany with orange glints. The bouquet, rich and complex, blends dried fruit, prunes, walnut, honey and vanilla, with a touch of cocoa, leather or blond tobacco. Rancio, that very particular note of long-aged brandies, often appears. On the palate the texture is broad, and sweet spices and orange peel carry through into a very long finish.
To enjoy it, pour a small measure at room temperature into a tulip glass, let it breathe and take your time, ideally as a digestif. It also pairs beautifully with a mi-cuit foie gras, a dark chocolate dessert or an after-dinner coffee.
Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze, Haut-Armagnac: the terroir
The Armagnac region, in Gascony, is divided into three terroirs. Bas-Armagnac, to the west, gives fine and fruity brandies on its tawny sands. Ténarèze, in the centre, produces fuller-bodied armagnacs that need long ageing. Haut-Armagnac, further east, has few vineyards today. Distillation, ageing and maturation in the cask then add each estate's own touch: that is why no two 1963 armagnacs are ever quite alike.
A rare birthday gift
People born in 1963 celebrated their 60th birthday in 2023. An armagnac from their birth year remains a very personal gesture for a birthday, a retirement or a wedding anniversary: a brandy as old as they are, to be opened on the day of the celebration or kept for a long time. Old vintages are becoming scarce: once an estate has sold the last casks of a harvest, it can never make more. Some bottles come in a gift box or wooden case, ready to give.
Storing a 1963 armagnac
Keep the bottle upright, so the alcohol does not damage the cork, away from light and at a stable temperature. Once opened, it keeps for several months; unopened, almost indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions about 1963 armagnac
Is a 1963 armagnac still good?
Yes. Armagnac does not deteriorate in a closed bottle stored upright. It keeps the qualities it gained in the cask.
What is the difference between a 1963 armagnac and a 1963 cognac?
Both are grape brandies, but armagnac comes from Gascony and is most often distilled just once, continuously, which gives it more character.
How do I choose between the houses?
Go by style: brut de fût for intensity, a reduced vintage for smoothness, and by the name of the house if it means something to the person receiving the gift.
How much does a 1963 armagnac cost?
It depends on the producer and the type of bottling, cask strength or reduced. The price of each product is shown on its page.
Where can I buy a 1963 armagnac?
At Plaisirs de Gascogne, an online shop specialising in old vintages. You can order in a few clicks, payment is secure and shipping is carefully handled: delivery in France and across Europe, in packaging designed for transporting old bottles.
See also all our vintage armagnacs.
Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.
