{"product_id":"armagnac-1904","title":"Armagnac 1904","description":"\u003ch4\u003eOrigin and production\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCastarède's 1904 is a single-vintage Armagnac drawn from historic Gascon stocks. Keeping the year distinct allows the finished bottle to retain the identity of one harvest, an approach at the heart of the family's unusually deep vintage collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe eau-de-vie was produced by traditional distillation and matured for an extended period in oak before being transferred or bottled at maturity. Its concentration and rancio derive from that long cask evolution, while careful conservation has protected the balance of this exceedingly old spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntense amber-mahogany with subtle olive-gold tints at the rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eNose\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoasted coffee, prune and date emerge first, followed by vanilla, walnut shell, old leather and a fine balsamic note.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePalate\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003eRich but measured, with dark fruit and mocha carried across a silky, settled texture. Cedar and savoury rancio bring complexity without harshness, and the finish is long, dry and elegantly integrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eServing suggestions\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePour neat in a tulip glass and wait before taking the first sip. This is best treated as a final course in itself; at most, accompany it with a small piece of 85% dark chocolate or a few unsalted walnuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eBackground story\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Castarède house was established in 1832 and is regarded as the oldest Armagnac firm still operating. Remaining in family hands, it has made the stewardship of rare vintages a defining part of its identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bottle from 1904 is encountered only occasionally, and its value lies as much in provenance and preservation as in age. Each serving connects a living sensory experience with a harvest taken more than a century ago.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Armagnac Castarède","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":7849047294012,"sku":"CASTEREDE1904","price":1000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0036\/1984\/8252\/files\/armagnac-castarede-1904-0-standardised-600x960.png?v=1791377487","url":"https:\/\/sommelierschoice.co.uk\/products\/armagnac-1904","provider":"Sommelier's Choice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}