the house

Armagnac Castarède

Founded in 1832
Location Château de Maniban, Mauléon-d'Armagnac
Appellation Bas-Armagnac

With know-how handed down from generation to generation, Armagnac Castarède is distinguished by its heritage and excellence. Florence Castarède, proudly representing the sixth generation, is dedicated to perpetuating the family tradition by producing eaux-de-vie of exceptional quality. Located at Château de Maniban, in Mauléon-d'Armagnac, this estate is the cradle of these fragrant, supple and silky eaux-de-vie, aged beyond the norm to ensure rare finesse.

Founded in 1832, Maison Castarède has a rich history. Encouraged by Baron Hausmann, the company was the first to enter the armagnac trade. A tradition that continues to this day, as several decades later, the family opened a boutique on Boulevard Hausmann in Paris, becoming a benchmark for all armagnac lovers.

The range offered by Armagnac Castarède range is unrivalled in its diversity. Thanks to the age of the company, it offers a range of vintages from 1893 to 2001, including some rare pieces. Each vintage is a celebration of tradition, like the hors d'âge, aged for 20 years in oak barrels. Unique collections, such as the Cigar Collection and the Bruts de Fût, accentuate the distinctive character of this extraordinary range.

Grape varieties: Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Folle Blanche, Baco (planted in 2015)
Distillation: Traditional continuous armagnacais still (Orthez still dating from 1942)
Ageing: Ageing begins in new oak casks from the Landes and Gers for tannin extraction, then transferred to seasoned casks to develop roundness and complexity
Awards: Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant status; presented as the oldest independent, family-owned Armagnac négociant house

Castarède vintages

49 vintages from 1893 to 2002, each linked to its bottle.

Our merchant's guide

Armagnac Castarède

The Castarède armagnac range in our shop

A family-run négociant house, Castarède selects, ages and bottles eaux-de-vie from Bas-Armagnac. Its range runs from young armagnac to the oldest vintages in our cellar, along with a few more confidential cuvées. Here is how to find your way around it.

The blends: VS, VSOP, XO and hors d'âge

Castarède VS and Castarède VSOP armagnac are the house's entry points, supple and fruity, equally at home as an after-dinner drink or in a cocktail. The XO and the hors d'âge armagnac offer more depth. The 20-year-old XO decanter, in 50 cl, and the Carafe Favorite, with or without a gift box, are designed for gifting. The age statement guarantees the minimum ageing time of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend.

Folle Blanche brut de fût and rare cuvées

Three pure Folle Blanche brut de fût armagnacs (cask strength, not reduced with water), aged 6, 8 and 18 years, are bottled without reduction: a chance to taste this historic grape variety at different stages of its ageing. The Réserve de la Famille and the Cuvée Cigare 25 ans, in 50 cl, round out the collection for lovers of more intense spirits.

Blanche d'Armagnac

Castarède Blanche d'Armagnac is an unaged eau-de-vie that keeps all the freshness of the fruit. Serve it well chilled, as an aperitif or in a cocktail.

Castarède vintages, from 1893 to 1999

This is the great wealth of the house: each vintage comes from a single harvest year, aged separately before bottling.

Before 1960: 1893, 1924, 1931, 1934, 1939, 1941, 1946, 1952 and 1959, all rare bottles;
The 1960s and 1970s: from 1962 to 1968, including 1966, then every year from 1970 to 1979;
The 1980s and 1990s: every vintage from 1980 to 1999, including 1986.

Plenty of choice to find the armagnac from a birth year, a wedding year or an anniversary. To compare with other Gascon houses, browse our vintage armagnacs.

Terroir, grape varieties and distillation at Château de Maniban

The Maniban estate, owned by the family, lies in Mauléon-d'Armagnac, in the Gers, in the heart of Bas-Armagnac and of South West France. Its vineyard brings together ugni blanc, colombard, folle blanche and, since 2015, baco. Distillation takes place in November, using the traditional continuous method, notably in an Orthez armagnac still dating from 1942, which preserves the fruit and finesse of the white wine.

Ageing begins in new oak casks from the forests of the Landes and the Gers, for structure, then continues in older casks, which bring roundness and complexity. The house is recognised as an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company).

How to choose your Castarède armagnac

To discover the house: the VS or the VSOP;
For a grand after-dinner drink: the XO or the hors d'âge;
As a gift: the 20-year-old XO decanter or the Carafe Favorite in its gift box;
For a birthday or anniversary: the vintage of the year you are celebrating;
For the curious enthusiast: a Folle Blanche brut de fût or the Cuvée Cigare.

Tasting and serving

Serve armagnac at room temperature in a tulip glass, let it breathe for a few minutes, then sip it slowly. The colour deepens with age, from gold to mahogany. On the nose, old vintages often suggest prune, vanilla and spice; on the palate, the aromas grow more complex with the years spent in cask. As a pairing, try a square of dark chocolate, or a cigar for the cuvée that bears its name. An opened bottle should be stored upright, away from light.

Frequently asked questions about Castarède armagnac

Where is the Castarède house located?

Its cellars are at Château de Maniban, in Mauléon-d'Armagnac (Gers). The house also has a showroom in Paris, at 140 boulevard Haussmann (75008 Paris).

What is the history of the Castarède house?

Founded in 1832, it is one of the oldest armagnac négociant houses, still independent and family-owned, and today run by Florence Castarède, the sixth generation.

How old is a Castarède armagnac?

It depends on the bottling: VS, VSOP and XO are blends, the 20 or 25 year statements guarantee a minimum ageing period, and a vintage shows the exact year of the harvest.

How much does a Castarède armagnac cost?

The price varies with age, vintage and bottle size. Each product on this page shows its price so you can compare.

How can I buy Castarède armagnac online?

Choose your bottle on this page and add it to your basket. Payment is secure and shipping is carefully handled, in France and across Europe. A question about a particular bottle? Our team is happy to advise you.

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