Origin and production
This vintage Armagnac was created from the 1918 harvest and preserved within Castarède's historic Gascon reserves. The house's focus on separately maintained years allows exceptionally old eaux-de-vie to be released without losing their individual date and identity.
Local white wine was distilled in the traditional manner before the spirit entered oak for patient maturation. Once judged fully developed, old Armagnac may be protected from further wood influence; the character in the glass therefore records both its cask ageing and the care taken after maturation.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep amber with mahogany glints and a clear, burnished edge.
Nose
Fig, dried plum and apricot are layered with cigar leaf, leather, walnut and a restrained lift of baking spice.
Palate
Full and velvety, with concentrated dried fruit moving into cedar, roasted nuts and earthy rancio. The warmth is beautifully settled, and the finish extends through tobacco, spice and a final note of bitter orange.
Serving suggestions
Serve neat in a small tulip-shaped glass at a calm room temperature. Give it time and avoid vigorous swirling; if any accompaniment is offered, keep it simple with aged hard cheese or a plain piece of dark chocolate.
Background story
Castarède was founded in 1832 and has remained under family stewardship for six generations. Its cellars hold an exceptional chronological range, making vintage Armagnac—not merely blended age statements—central to the house's reputation.
The 1918 harvest carries the weight of a year that marked the end of the First World War. As a surviving spirit from that moment, the bottle is both a rare piece of Gascon craft and a tangible link to a profoundly significant point in European history.
