the house

Clés des Ducs

Founded in 1774
Location Panjas, Gers
Appellation Armagnac

Nestled in the heart of Panjas, in the Gers,Clés des Ducs Armagnac is the embodiment of a centuries-old tradition enriched by the ongoing expertise of its cellar masters. The recent transition from Philippe Lézama to Jérome Zadro marks a new era, while preserving the heritage and methods for which the estate is renowned.

Clés des Ducs Armagnac, mainly made from Ugni Blanc grapes, is renowned for its distinctive character. The distillation process follows tried-and-tested methods, favoring moderate to light barrel toasting to bring out the nuances of the fruit. The practice of limiting ageing in new oak barrels underlines a quest for purity and authentic expression of grape variety and terroir.

Unique terroir and fruit expression

The estate extends over Panjas, Maupas and Estang, benefiting from a tawny sand terroir that imbues the eaux-de-vie with an inimitable signature. This attention to detail is reflected in an approach that excludes any sweetening or coloring, guaranteeing the transparency and integrity of every bottle produced.

Tasting: an invitation to a sensory voyage

Clés des Ducs Armagnac offers a range that celebrates the diversity and richness of aromas, from VS to XO. Each cuvée, benefiting from a specific bonificateur, is a testament to the estate's mastery and passion for revealing taste profiles that privilege fruit and finesse. Spicy, fruity and slightly woody nuances invite sensory exploration, reflecting the estate's commitment to preserving a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation.

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
Ageing: Ageing in black Gascony oak casks, medium to light toast, with limited time of 3 to 4 months in new casks
Awards: Silver medal for the VSOP expression at the Talents de l'Armagnac competition

Clés des Ducs vintages

55 vintages from 1960 to 2015, each linked to its bottle.

Our merchant's guide

Clés des Ducs

Clés des Ducs armagnac: our selection in the shop

Clés des Ducs is one of those brands that cover the whole spectrum of armagnac: a VS for mixology, aged blends for sipping, a Blanche for the aperitif and a long run of vintages for gifts. Here is how we suggest choosing among the bottlings available in our shop.

The VS, the VSOP and the Mixologie cuvée

The Clés des Ducs VS is the entry point of the range: a young, fruity armagnac to enjoy as a long drink or in a cocktail. The Mixologie cuvée, as its name suggests, is made for the same use, behind the bar as much as at home. The Clés des Ducs VSOP goes one step further: a VSOP armagnac whose youngest eau-de-vie has spent at least four years in cask, round and fruity, awarded a silver medal at the Talents de l'Armagnac competition. It is a good first bottle to discover the house.

The XO, the XO Extra and the decanter

Older, the Clés des Ducs XO and the XO Extra suit those looking for a deeper digestif, where the time spent in cask is more noticeable. The XO also comes in a decanter, a lovely presentation for a gift. To better understand these age statements, our page on XO and hors d'âge armagnac explains the minimum ageing periods.

Aged armagnacs: 8, 12, 18 and 21 years

The brand also offers precise age statements, easier to read than an acronym: 8 years, 12 years, 18 years and 21 years. The figure indicates the age of the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend. It is a simple way to move up the range, one step at a time, and to compare the effect of time spent in oak casks. The Trilogie completes this selection.

The Blanche d'Armagnac

The Clés des Ducs Blanche d'Armagnac is an eau-de-vie that has never been in a cask: a clear, white armagnac that keeps all the liveliness of the grape. Served chilled, it is perfect for the aperitif and for cocktails. To compare with other houses, see our selection of Blanche d'Armagnac.

Clés des Ducs vintages, from 1960 to 2015

A vintage comes from a single harvest year, distilled and then aged without being blended with other years. It is the ideal gift for a birth, a wedding or a birthday. Our Clés des Ducs selection spans more than five decades:

The 1960s: 1960, then every vintage from 1962 to 1969, including 1965 and 1966;
The 1970s: 1970, 1971, 1977 and 1978;
The 1980s and 1990s: 1981, 1991, then every vintage from 1995 to 1999, including 1996;
From 2000 to 2015: every vintage without a gap, including 2006.

To compare with other Gascon estates, browse our vintage armagnacs, year by year.

The history of Clés des Ducs, from Paul Baylac to today

The story begins in 1774: Paul Baylac, lord of Panjas, distils in his village and writes, according to the house, the first page of the brand. By the middle of the 19th century, the eaux-de-vie of Maupas, Panjas and Estang were already cited among the finest in the region: this trio of villages still forms the heart of its terroir today. In the 20th century, the brand joined Cointreau in 1981, then the Rémy Cointreau group. Since 2008, it has belonged to the Armanoir group. One thing has never changed: the Clés des Ducs cellars have never left Panjas, in the Gers.

Grape varieties, distillation and ageing

Clés des Ducs eaux-de-vie come from the traditional Gascon grape varieties: ugni blanc first and foremost, for its freshness, alongside baco, folle blanche and colombard. Depending on the cuvée, they come from Bas-Armagnac or Ténarèze, two of the three terroirs of the appellation.

The white wine is continuously distilled, at low temperature, in a copper armagnac still. This low-strength distillation preserves as many aromas as possible. Ageing then takes place in black Gascon oak casks, with a medium to light toast. Time in new casks is deliberately limited to three or four months: the house prefers finesse and fruit to overly pronounced oak. The making of each blend is then in the hands of the cellar master.

How to choose your Clés des Ducs armagnac

For a cocktail or a long drink: the VS, the Mixologie cuvée or the Blanche;
To discover the house: the Clés des Ducs VSOP, awarded at the Talents de l'Armagnac;
To compare ages: the 8, 12, 18 and 21 years;
For a great digestif: the XO or the XO Extra;
For a gift: the XO decanter, or the vintage of a year that matters.

Tasting: notes and serving temperature

The Clés des Ducs style favours fruit. Young armagnacs open with fruity and floral notes; with age come vanilla, dried fruit, prune and sweet spices. Serve the VSOP, XO and vintages at room temperature, in a tulip glass, and let the armagnac breathe for a few minutes before tasting. The Blanche and the VS are served cooler, or over ice. An opened bottle keeps upright, away from light, for several months.

Frequently asked questions about Clés des Ducs

Where is Clés des Ducs armagnac produced?

In the village of Panjas, in the Gers, where the brand's cellars have been since its beginnings. The eaux-de-vie come from Bas-Armagnac and Ténarèze.

What is the history of Clés des Ducs?

It dates back to 1774 and to Paul Baylac, lord of Panjas. The brand later belonged to Cointreau and Rémy Cointreau, before joining the Armanoir group in 2008.

What are the characteristics of Clés des Ducs VSOP?

A blend with at least four years in cask, round and fruity, awarded a silver medal at the Talents de l'Armagnac. It can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.

What do people think of Clés des Ducs?

The silver medal won by the VSOP at the Talents de l'Armagnac is a good benchmark of quality. On each product page you will also find, where available, verified reviews from our customers.

How much does a Clés des Ducs armagnac cost?

It depends on the age, the vintage and the presentation. Each product on this page shows its price, from the VS to the oldest vintages.

How can I order Clés des Ducs online?

To buy a Clés des Ducs armagnac, choose your bottle from the bottlings available on this page and add it to your basket. Payment is secure and shipping is carefully handled in packaging suited to spirits, with delivery in France and across Europe. Our customer service answers your questions before you buy, whether it is for a first armagnac or a rare vintage for your cellar.

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