Castarede Nismes Delclou 1973 Bas Armagnac (70cl, 40%)

This is a 1973 vintage Bas Armagnac from the House of Castarede, a brandy distilled from the white wines of Gascony and aged in cask. It was bottled on 28 March 2013 at 40% in a 70cl bottle. The house keeps a large collection of old vintages, and this one sits beyond the XO and Hors d'Age categories. Armagnac is still divided by age and vintage in this way, unlike cognac. As with bottles of this age, a little of the spirit may have evaporated and the cork can be fragile, so it should be opened with care.