Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac
Born in 1875, Prosper Delord started the company as an itinerant distiller. He gained a reputation for his dedication and expertise by carting his traveling pot still around to the farms in the Bas Armagnac region. He later married Marie Duffau and in 1925, they officially founded the company with their son Gaston and established the business as a permanent site in Lannepax.
The Armagnacs were sold under the two names, Delord or Marie Duffau, each named taken from a Grandmother of the family. Today, great grandsons Jérôme and Sylvain carry on the same tradition, having established a reputation for quality that is unsurpassed.
Owners of a prime 30 hectare vineyard in the heart of the Bas Armagnac, (widely known as the 1st Cru), they have been distilling, ageing and blending their eaux-de-vie the exact same way their great grandfather did.
Their ageing cellars contain Armagnacs dating back to 1904. When touring the distillery and ageing cellars, it feels as if time has stopped and you almost expect to see grandfather Prosper coming around the corner pulling his itinerant pot still with the help of his two cows. Even though the company’s main business name is still Delord, they have always been selling under both names Delord or Marie Duffau.
Success
The great success of Marie Duffau Armagnac is owed in part to:
- Use of high quality fruit, harvested from the best soils of the Bas Armagnac.
- No use of pesticides or fertilizers
- A good use of the grape varietals : 70% Ugni blanc (gives a good foundation), 20% Baco (gives roundness), 5% Colombard (herbal aromas) and 5% Folle Blanche (floral notes)
- A particularly slow single distillation process
- A distillation at low temperature (around 54 to 58 degrees), which enables more flavors, fatty acids and character to remain in the spirit.
- A distillation in small batches
- Use of 10% Gascon oak to give good tannins, darker color and beautiful spices.
Bas Armagnac Napoléon
Tasting Highlights
Flavors of cocoa, orange rind, cake batter and vanilla. Soft tannins on the finish and a touch of rancio to come. Min. 6 years old.
Reviews
Gold Medal (Bartender Spirits Awards 2023)
90 points
"Rich brown sugar is complemented by toasty baking spice on nose and palate. Each sip trails off into vanilla bean and cocoa powder, plus a final dusting of hot spices. Best Buy." (Wine Enthusiast, 202)
“Let’s keep this little gem a secret among ourselves, shall we? This is a lovely, reasonably priced Armagnac from Maison Delord that blends Armagnac from both column and charentais stills, giving this youngster an unexpected weight and roundness. An unmistakably spicy, yeasty nose is typically Armagnacais, with pineapple, raisins, molasses, dried herbs and oak vanillins taking their turns on the palate of this little pleaser. A flavour bomb of fresh oak that offers value for money and a worthwhile detour for bored bourbon fans.” (Distilled. Magazine)
92 points: "Excellent, Highly Recommended" (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2011 & 2012)
“...creamy textured and semi sweet....” Five Stars, Highly Recommended / Best Buy (P. Pacult, Spirit Journal)
Top 50 Best Buy Spirits 2006 & 2007. "Highly Recommended / 90-95 / Best Buy" (Wine Enthusiast)
Bas Armagnac Hors d’Age
Tasting Highlights
Rich flavors of toffee, old oak, pitted plum and raisins; elegant rancio and long round finish. Min. 12 years old.
Reviews
Chairman's Trophy, 97 points, Great Value
“12 years of age have tamed this brandy’s rough edges resulting in a rich, toffee-laden spirit with hints of baked citrus delightful to sip on its own and arguably the best partner for chocolate toned desserts.” (Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2019)
4 stars, Highly Recommended
”Sienna color; ideal purity. Initial whiffs pick up BBQ sauce, tomato paste, red cherry compote, white raisins, and black peppercorn; secondary inhalations find an oakier bouquet, one that's piquant with baking spices (allspice, nutmeg) and dried fruits (dates especially). Entry is supple in texture, zesty from the peppercorn aspect, nicely woody / sap-like, and akin to holiday fruitcake elements, especially the candied nuts and dried pineapple; midpalate echoes the entry impressions while adding a touch of cola nut for balance. Aftertaste highlights the cola nut, the Dr. Pepper aspects, turning semisweet. This Bas-Armagnac has lots of moving parts that get into sync in the finish. (Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits 2021)
94 points (Wine Enthusiast, 2012)
"Ultimate Recommendation, 95 points" (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2010)
"Top 10 Best Armagnacs" (Wine Enthusiast, 04/2007)
Press
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The Best Armagnacs for Sipping Under $100
Often bolder in profile, Armagnac has benefitted, in many ways, from being the in the shadow of the France’s far more tony grape brandy, Cognac.Description goes here
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The Other Brandy: Why You Should Explore Armagnac
Armagnac is a grape brandy that is produced in the Armagnac region of the French province of Gascony. This region was the first in France to begin distilling grape-based spirits, making Armagnac the oldest brandy still produced in France and predating its better-known cousins in Cognac by several centuries.
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Et Moi Je Te Dis Maud
The original drink, which earned Maud Loty first place in a 1929 celebrity cocktail competition, took its name from a revue staged the same year, penned for her by Cocktails de Paris author Rip. It translates to, “And me, I’d tell you … Maud,” but conversationally, it can be understood as “That’s Maud for ya.”
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Wine Press: Armagnac - affordable French brandy perfect for cold nights
Armagnac's also an affordable alternative to many higher priced distilled spirits like Single Malt Scotch or France's better known distilled wine, Cognac
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Happiness Is a Warm Cocktail
It’s been scientifically proven: Warm drinks can make you feel better (if not actually warmer). Here are three cocktail recipes that turn up the heat
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Know Your French Brandy: The Differences Between Cognac & Armagnac
Cognac isn’t the only great French spirit out there. If you’re really looking to get into the wonderful world of French brandy, make sure you don’t deprive yourself of another goodie: Armagnac.
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5 Armagnacs You Should Be Drinking Right Now
Cognac’s lesser-known cousin is ready for its time in the spotlight.
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Why Aren't We Drinking This?
It’s interesting and it’s good and it’s relatively cheap. (The French are crazy about it, but still.)
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An Exploration of Armagnac
Tucked between the sea, the storied vineyards of Bordeaux, and the towering Pyrenees, bucolic Gascony has long been known for its hearty rustic cuisine and most famous export, Armagnac.
