Chabot Armagnac: history, features, overview of taste and types
Chabot drinks, produced by a family company in the village of Labastide d'Armagnac in southwestern France for 200 years, are now known all over the world.
At the dawn of its existence and until the middle of the XX century, armagnac was made according to a secret recipe exclusively for close friends and local nobility.
Today, Chabot products are the best-selling brand of armagnac in the world: you can buy it in hundreds of countries.
Brand history
The first armagnacs, named after the region of production, were made in France more than 700 years ago. The technology was based on the achievements of three great cultures: Romans, Arabs and Celts. The Chabot family took the most valuable of their heritage and in 1828 opened their own winery in the hills of Gascony.
A small company supplied the locals with decent wines and spirits, gradually acquiring new vineyards, buildings and facilities.
The company is a full-cycle plant: all stages of production - from raw material processing to bottling - are carried out on its territory.
In the middle of the XX century, the first attempt was made to showcase local Armagnac to the world, which was crowned with success. Consumers appreciated its excellent quality and outstanding taste.
John Henzburger made a significant contribution to the development of Shabo: he paid great attention to strengthening the brand and promoting it abroad.
Mark Henzburger continued his father's work. In 1997, he founded his own distribution company, MG Cellars, to make the family armagnac famous all over the world.
In 2015, the company was inherited by his wife Kathleen. Today she is the guardian of the Shabo philosophy and continues to work on its transformation into a global brand.
Features of production
The rich and complex flavor of Chabot is the result of the influence of unique natural conditions and adherence to traditional technology. There are 4 main stages:
Ripening of raw materials in a special microclimate with sufficient sun, protection (in the form of forests) from sharp temperature fluctuations and regular blowing by humid Atlantic breezes.
Nutritious soils with a high iron content contribute to good growth and fruiting of vines.
The use of certain white grape varieties in the production: expressive rustic Baco Blanc, delicate early-ripening Colombard, light jasmine Folle Blanche, fresh fruity Ugni Blanc.
They harvest the raw materials (vendange) in September and early October, selecting only the best fruit.
Single distillation in a specially designed copper still - Armagnac alambic. The output is a colorless "eaux de vie" (water of life) with a strength of 52 to 60% with a rich aroma.
Aged in handmade casks of Gascon oak from the forests of Monlezun. Special attention is paid to the choice of wood and its careful processing, as it completes the process of forming the unique bouquet and character of armagnacs.
After maturation, the drinks are placed in old barrels for some time to improve the taste.
Interesting facts
Most armagnacs are vintage drinks, consisting of spirits from the same year. A collection of vintages dating back to 1888 is stored in Shabo's cellars. The company also creates blends (Napoleon, X.O., V.S.O.P.), which require the master to master the art of mixing.
Due to the greater popularity and prevalence of cognac, it is believed that armagnac was born much later. In fact, its history is 150 years older than that of cognac.
Abbot Vital Dufour's medical treatise, written in 1310, describes 40 benefits of Armagnac, which he called "water of fire".
Here are just a few: "revitalizes the spirit, reminds of the past, makes people happy, preserves youth and delays old age".
In France, the "Armagnac paradox" is widely known: life expectancy in Gascony is one of the highest in the country, despite the active consumption of saturated animal fats by its residents. This amazing fact is associated with the healing properties of the unique drink.
An overview of the types
The Chabot collection includes 9 excellent Armagnacs and 3 exclusive series in luxurious packaging:
Prestige N°8
An amazing blend that combines 8 vintage spirits of different aging periods (the oldest is from 1938). Each component brings its own notes to the bouquet.
VSOP Deluxe
The drink is 5 years old and has a deep copper color.
Aroma: rich, with a plum accent, smoky and oak notes.
Taste: rounded, with tones of dried fruits, grapes, wood spices, light floral flair. Good neat and in cocktails.
VSOP Gold
An exquisite 7-year-old elixir with a complex, full-bodied taste and a bright copper hue.
Main notes: white plum, burnt wood.
Napoleon Special Reserve
A special drink bottled in dark bottles with a "frosty" effect. Armagnac №1 in Asian countries.
Color: amber, with mahogany reflections. Aroma: oak and plum.
Taste: balanced, with accents of aged wine and dried fruits, long finish. Good as an evening digestif.
XO Superior
The flagship of the Shabo collection, an outstanding blend bottled in handmade crystal decanters. Consists of mature spirits aged for at least 35 years.
Color: smooth amber gold. Aroma: bright, with notes of almonds and plums.
Taste: full-bodied, fruity and floral, with a powerful woody and spicy finish.
Extra
A chic drink containing spirits aged for 50 years in a romantic "perfume" bottle.
Color: deep mahogany with copper reflections. Aroma: vanilla and tobacco.
Nose: fruity, woody and spicy with floral hints.
38 Year Old
Exclusive Armagnac made from a blend of the oldest vintage Shabo spirits. The balanced bouquet harmoniously combines hints of ripe oak and dried fruit.
Aftertaste: long, soft, with accents of citrus zest and a touch of tobacco.
30 Year Old
An elegant drink of a bright copper hue with a glint of topaz. Main notes: sweet Madeira, exotic spices, fruits, flowers. The perfect pair: an expensive cigar.
20 Year Old
Armagnac for true connoisseurs. Main notes: wood, dried fruits, spices and flowers.
Coeur
The perfect elixir of category X.O., bottled in silver, pink and gold decanters in the shape of a heart.
Vintage
A collection of vintage drinks for special occasions. Includes the oldest examples of "living water" from 1888 and 1901.
Goose
A collection of aged Armagnacs in original goose-shaped bottles - a symbol of power and good luck. "White Goose contains Armagnac X.O. Private Reserve, "Gold" and "Blue Goose" - Extra Private Reserve.
Miniature Set
The series includes three of the company's popular products in mini-packs: VSOP Deluxe, XO Superior and Napoleon.
Update: 08.06.2019
Category: Brandy and Cognac