Sempé 15 Year Old Bas-Armagnac 750ml

Sempé is genuinely one of the most emblematic houses in all of Armagnac, founded in 1934 by Abel Sempé — a genuinely remarkable figure in his own right, a decorated member of the French Resistance within the Armagnac battalion during World War II, who went on to serve for many years as a senator for the Gers department. For fifty years, Abel Sempé personally guided the house and its Gascon brandies to international recognition, and the brand has remained faithful to his vision ever since: dynamic and innovative, yet genuinely accessible to a wide public while respecting the ancestral know-how of Armagnac production.

Armagnac itself is France's oldest brandy, with the first written record of its existence dating back to 1411 — predating Cognac by roughly 200 years. Unlike its more famous cousin, Armagnac uses a simpler production method: a single distillation through a column still, rather than Cognac's traditional double pot-still distillation, made from white wine crafted from grape varieties carefully selected across the best vineyards in Bas-Armagnac, the westernmost and largest sub-region of the appellation, centered on the town of Eauze and known for producing particularly delicate, fruity brandies.

This 15 Year Old expression is an exclusive blend of specially selected brandies, the youngest component aged a minimum of 15 years, slowly developing its body, bouquet, and finesse in cellar casks under the careful eye of Sempé's own Cellar Master. It's earned genuine recognition at the World Armagnac Awards, honored for Best Superior Quality and Hors d'Âge, with the award's own tasting note describing "bold aromas of coconut, warm stone fruits, florals and hints of nuts," a "chewy mouthfeel, great texture and flavours balanced throughout," closing with "a warming finish." La Maison Armagnac's own tasting confirms "beautiful amber" color, the nose "very fresh and delicate," with "notes of ripe fruit, honey and vanilla," the palate "rich and tannic, counterbalanced by very delicate fine spices," the finish carrying "spicy flavors that contribute to its beautiful aromatic persistence." Wine.com's own tasting calls it a "complex, mature Armagnac with a delicate flavor, good depth and a smooth finish." Multiple retailers' tasting notes describe "candied fruits and dried plums" on the nose, the palate stretching "from vanilla to subtle oak, developing notes of aged leather as it warms in the hand," with "a distinct taste of cocoa on its long finish." This is genuinely classic, well-aged Bas-Armagnac — real complexity and craftsmanship from one of Gascony's most historically significant, and most decorated, brandy houses.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Sempé 15 Year Old Bas-Armagnac is produced by Armagnac Sempé, founded in 1934 in Gascony, southwest France, by Abel Sempé, a decorated French Resistance fighter and later senator for the Gers department. The Armagnac is made from white wine crafted from grape varieties selected across the finest vineyards of Bas-Armagnac, single-distilled through a column still, and aged in cellar casks under the estate's Cellar Master.

This 15 Year Old is an exclusive blend of specially selected brandies, the youngest component aged a minimum of 15 years. Recognized with Best Superior Quality and Hors d'Âge honors at the World Armagnac Awards. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

World Armagnac Awards — Best Superior Quality and Hors d'Âge:
"Bold aromas of coconut, warm stone fruits, florals and hints of nuts. Chewy mouthfeel, great texture and flavours balanced throughout. Warming finish."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Beautiful amber color. Candied fruit and dried plum lead, joined by ripe fruit, honey, and vanilla, alongside coconut and warm stone fruit.

Palate
Rich and tannic, counterbalanced by delicate fine spice, stretching from vanilla to subtle oak, developing aged leather as it warms in the hand.

Finish
Long and spicy, closing with a distinct taste of cocoa and lingering aromatic persistence.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate desserts
• Aged, nutty cheeses
• Dried fruit and nut boards
• Fine cigars, as a pairing

Serving Note

Best served in a pear-shaped glass with a round belly and tapered chimney, or a champagne glass, rather than a brandy snifter. Hold at chest level to let the aroma develop, and let the glass warm in your hand as the evening progresses to release additional aromas and flavors.