Laberdolive Bas Armagnac Vintage 1970 Domaine du Pillon

This 1970 vintage, distilled at Domaine du Pillon and bottled by the revered Laberdolive family, comes from the prized Bas‑Armagnac appellation’s “sables fauves” iron-rich sand soils.

🥃 Color & Age

Over 45 years of maturation in seasoned oak barrels has given this Armagnac a deep amber-golden hue and incredibly nuanced character 

👃 Nose

Rich and expressive aromas of pear, pineapple, nectarine, plus layered notes of vanilla, tobacco, egg-cream, and bacon fat—highlighting both fruitiness and savory depth 

👄 Palate & Texture

Full-bodied and velvety, this spirit unfolds with butterscotch, caramel, marzipan, nougat, cocoa, and biscuit spice—balanced by tobacco-like depth and developing early rancio character 

🔚 Finish

A long, tobacco-infused, maple-tinged finish that lingers with oak and faint emerging rancio, a hallmark of fine aged Armagnac 

🧑🔬 Why It’s Special

• Single-vintage expression from a top Bas‑Armagnac terroir.

• Nearly half a century of barrel aging yields exceptional depth and elegant structure.

• Bottled at a robust 44% ABV—strong but beautifully integrated.

🍷 Perfect Enjoyment

Best enjoyed neat in a tulip glass, at room temperature. Complement it with dark chocolate, nuts, aged cheeses, or savor it solo as a contemplative digestif.

In summary:
The Laberdolive 1970 Domaine du Pillon is a masterpiece of aged Bas‑Armagnac—rich, fruity, elegantly spiced, and take-your-time sipper. Its luxurious texture, depth of flavor, and refined rancio make it a spirit of rare distinction and enduring appeal.

The Laberdolive Armagnacs are hand made, vintage dated single-vineyard expressions of what a brandy should be.  I’ve told you the stories before: the legend goes that Nikita Khruschev once diverted his elaborate and heavily-guarded entourage to visit the distillery to acquire a bottle; and French President Jacques Chirac brought along a Laberdolive 1972 to toast on a state visit to China. These bottles are in all the top restaurants in Europe; David Ridgway, chef-sommelier at La Tour d'Argent in Paris, said that Laberdolive is "considered for a long time to be the benchmark of Armagnac."