the bottle

Key facts

Vintage1996
ABV40.0 % vol.
Capacity70 cl
AppellationAOC Armagnac
RegionSouthwest
this bottle

clés des ducs Armagnac 1996

  • Ageing Vintage 1996, distilled in Panjas, unblended

The 1996 vintage from Clés des Ducs is part of the house's collection of single-vintage Armagnacs, distilled at the Chai de Bordeneuve in Panjas. Year after year, the maître de chai applies the same exacting standard: casks selected one by one to reveal a rich, supple eau-de-vie with a measured oak influence. This 1996, bottled at 40°, bears the distinct character of its harvest year, unblended with any other vintage. A bottle conceived as much for a birth or anniversary gift as for thoughtful, heritage-minded tasting.

the vintage

The 1996 Vintage

Vintage grand

The year 1996 offered Gascony a fine balance between freshness and maturity. Spirits from this vintage stand out for their aromatic vivacity and elegance, with notes of fresh fruit, white flowers and hazelnut. After three decades of ageing in Gascon oak casks, they have developed hints of vanilla and gentle spice.

the house

Clés des Ducs

  • Founded in 1774
  • Location Panjas, Gers
  • Appellation Armagnac (Bas-Armagnac and Ténarèze depending on the expression)
  • Grape varieties Traditional Gascon grape varieties, principally Ugni Blanc, along with Baco, Folle Blanche and Colombard
  • Distillation Continuous distillation at low temperature in a copper Armagnac still

The story of Clés des Ducs begins in 1774 in Panjas, in the Gers, with Paul Baylac, lord of the village, who distilled its first eaux-de-vie. Since 2008, the house has been owned by the Groupe Armanoir, which upholds a craft built on traditional Gascon grape varieties, with Ugni Blanc at the fore, alongside Baco, Folle Blanche …

Discover the house and its bottles →

The record

Cellar notes

Appellation
AOC Armagnac
Size
70 cl
Department
Gers
Vintage
1996
Region
Southwest
ALCOHOL RATE
40.0 °
Type
Armagnac
Reference
CLESDDUCS1996

Armagnac specialist

A cellar devoted to the brandies of Gascony.

The year on the label

Authentic vintages, from 1888 to the present day.

Careful shipping

Bottles wedged and protected, tracked delivery in France and Europe.

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the cellar letter

The vintages
arriving in our cellar.

New houses, rare years found again, gift ideas: a few letters a year, no more.