Armagnac 2012

Brut de fût or reduced: our two 2012 armagnacs

The same harvest can produce two very different armagnacs. It all happens in the cellar, at the time of bottling: keeping the armagnac at its natural strength, or gently bringing it down towards 40% ABV by adding water. Our two 2012s illustrate these two choices perfectly. Here are their characteristics, based on the information published by the houses.

• Armagnac Delord: an AOC Bas-Armagnac "Récolte 2012", brut de fût at 51.1% ABV. Sylvain Delord selected cask no. 2236, a 100% baco: it is a single cask, the brandy from one cask only. The house describes a nose of candied fruit, apricot and fig, with cinnamon and beeswax; a honeyed, spicy palate of nutmeg and gingerbread; a finish of orange blossom and citrus;
• Clés des Ducs: a 2012 with the Armagnac appellation, at 40% ABV, a brandy from a single harvest never blended. The cellar master chooses his casks to obtain, according to the house, a long, rich and smooth armagnac, with deliberately light oak. It is presented in the 70 cl Exception bottle, in a cardboard gift box. The house does not publish a tasting note specific to this bottle.

The first is for enthusiasts who like intensity and pronounced aromas; the second for those who prefer softness and balance. For other armagnacs left at their natural strength, see our brut de fût armagnacs.

A single grape, a real character

Baco 22A is a hybrid created in Gascony, and one of the four main varieties of armagnac along with ugni blanc, folle blanche and colombard. An armagnac from a single grape, like this Delord 2012, shows what this vine brings on its own, without blending. To compare with folle blanche, see the vintages of Domaine de Pellehaut; for ugni blanc combined with other grapes, those of Château de Millet or Château de Bordeneuve.

From grape to label

The appellation covers three terroirs: Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. The Delord bears the AOC Bas-Armagnac mention, the Clés des Ducs the Armagnac appellation. In every case, the story begins with making a dry white wine, distilled in winter in the armagnac still, then aged in casks in the cellar. On the label of a vintage, you read the origin, the harvest year and the alcoholic strength; at Delord, the precise alcohol content and the cask number reflect a careful selection, made cask by cask. Each armagnac house thus has its own way of signing its vintages.

Delord, four generations in Lannepax

The house was born in 1893 in Lannepax, in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, when Prosper Delord travelled from farm to farm with his mobile still to distil the winegrowers' white wine. His sons Gaston and Georges then founded the Maison Delord Frères. Today, Jérôme and Sylvain, great-grandsons of the founder, run it under the eye of their father Jacques. The vineyard brings together the four traditional varieties, and continuous distillation takes place in armagnac stills with "spider leg" plates, including a Sier model from 1900. Since 2020, ageing has continued at the Galaubas estate, a 75 hectare family property. Several medals at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris have recognised this work.

Clés des Ducs, a story that began in 1774

In Panjas, in the Gers, Paul Baylac, lord of the village, distilled the house's first brandies in 1774. Since 2008, it has belonged to the Armanoir Group. Distillation is continuous, at low temperature, in a copper still, and ageing takes place in black Gascon oak casks, with a measured toast: hence this discreet touch of oak.

2012, the summer of the London Games

From 27 July to 12 August 2012, London hosted the Summer Olympic Games, for the third time in its history (source: Wikipedia, article "Jeux olympiques d'été de 2012"). In France, François Hollande was elected President of the Republic on 6 May 2012 (source: Wikipedia, article "Élection présidentielle française de 2012"). In the vineyards of the Gers, the harvest came in autumn, then the stills ran through the winter. We have found no assessment published by the houses on this harvest, so we do not describe it.

Tasting: two ways to serve a 14 year old armagnac

A 14 year old armagnac is still young: fruit and spices dominate, and the rancio of very long ageing is not yet there. The colour of a brut de fût of this age is often a deep amber, with golden highlights. The Delord is tasted slowly, in a tulip glass, at room temperature; a drop of water can open it up and release its aromas of honey and gingerbread. The Clés des Ducs 2012, softer, also lends itself to the aperitif, over an ice cube, or to a cocktail.

For pairings, think of desserts with dried fruit, prunes, dark chocolate, or a Gascon croustade. The Delord, with its notes of orange blossom, also goes very well with a citrus pastry.

Giving a 2012 armagnac

In 2026, couples married in 2012 celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary: an armagnac from their year is a gift that speaks to them. For a child born in 2012, it is a birth bottle, to hand to the parents and to open for their 18th birthday, in 2030. Stored upright, away from light and heat, it will not change.

For other ideas, see also the 2011 armagnac and the 2013 armagnac, or other estates in our cellar, such as Château de Laubade, Jean Cavé, a great producer of old vintages in Lannepax, Castarède or Dartigalongue.

Frequently asked questions about 2012 armagnac

What is the best 2012 armagnac?

The one that suits you. For a powerful armagnac, from a single cask and a single grape variety, the Delord brut de fût; for a smooth and approachable armagnac, the Clés des Ducs.

What is a single cask armagnac?

It is an armagnac bottled from a single cask, without mixing with others. The cask number, here 2236, identifies it.

What is the price of a 2012 armagnac?

It can vary depending on the house, the strength and the rarity: a single cask is often produced in small quantities. Each product page shows the bottle size and the price.

Where can I buy a 2012 armagnac?

At Plaisirs de Gascogne, an online shop specialising in vintage armagnacs: a selection of houses from the Gers, secure ordering and payment, delivery in France and across Europe, and a customer service to advise you.

Can it be given to a minor?

No. The sale of alcoholic drinks to minors is prohibited by the French public health code, and proof of age may be required from the buyer. For a child born in 2012, give it to their parents.

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