Coming soon: Grape of the Art Castarède 1986   SIGN UP

Armagnac Sempé 1981

Bottle size
700ml
ABV
40%
Armagnac age
Vintage
$ 128
excl. TAX excl. shipping

Tasting review

Show more Show less

Eye: Light mahogany.

Nose: Light wood, caramel and tobacco leaf, followed by some cardamom pods and forest fruits.

Palate: Harmonious and well-balanced with fruits, honey and oak, leading to a warm and subtly sweet aftertaste. 

Description

Armagnac Sempé 1981

Distilled after the harvest of 1981, this stunning vintage represents a snapshot of a single year, with its individuality drawn from the soil, rainfall and sunshine which produced the grapes for its production. The Armagnac Sempé 1981 is a rustic but refined example of the Bas-Armagnac style, sourced from Groupe Viticole Gerland in the early 2000s. For each vintage, successive cellar masters at Sempé draw from carefully selected casks to preserve and develop mature Armagnacs in keeping with their founder Abel Sempé's triple motto: ‘aroma, roundness, length’.

Armagnac is a grape brandy produced in the Gascony region of southwest France, between the Adour and Garonne rivers by the foothills of the Pyrenees, as it has been since at least the 15th century. The terroir here is a mixture of sand and clay, spread across rolling hills drenched in sunshine during the long summer - resulting in dark, rich and rustic eaux-de-vie with concentrated flavors. The wood used for Armagnac casks is a particular wide-grained variety found in the Gascon forest, which has been toasted to a medium char to develop its sweetness and tannins perfectly. The wide grain allows for accelerated movement of the spirit in and out of the wood, creating depth of flavor and a well-developed aroma. 

The House of Sempé is one of the best-known trading houses in Armagnac, founded in 1934 by Abel Sempé, a Gascon who worked tirelessly in the service of his country and his region. Known as a member of the resistance for the Armagnac battalion, he later served as Senator for the Gers for many years. He spread the Sempé Armagnac brand around the world in the 1950s and some of the stunning vintages he acquired can still be enjoyed today. 

Presentation of the Bottle

Shown in a classic ‘Milady’ bottle, this expression features a stunning label decorated with gold and a simple wooden presentation box emblazoned with the Sempé name. 

How to Serve Armagnac Sempé 1981

We recommend trying this vintage Armagnac after dinner, paired with traditional Gascon desserts or even a cigar. Pour into a tulip glass and let it rest for 30 seconds or so before taking a sip. Appreciate every aroma and flavor note, the result of years in oak, waiting for the moment when the liquid touches your lips. 

Reviews (0)

Average rating

0 /100
Nose
Mouth
Taste
Finish
Impression

Customers who bought this product also bought:

See some blog posts related to Armagnac Sempé 1981

Cognac vs. Armagnac: a battle of 2 brandies
Nov 10, 2021

Our Tastings

Cognac vs. Armagnac: a battle of 2 brandies
The older sibling of Cognac, Armagnac is not only most likely the oldest wine spirit in the world but also shares many similar characteristics with its family member. Such as both spirits being:...
Cognac vs Whisky: Key Differences
May 12, 2023

Cognac University

Cognac vs Whisky: Key Differences
It’s a question we often get asked here at Cognac Expert: What Cognac should I try if I’m more of a Whisky drinker? Well, you only need to ask and we’ll do our utmost to provide an answer. And of...
8 Supermarket Cognacs: Is Buying “Off The Rack” Worth It?
Dec 11, 2019

All Articles

8 Supermarket Cognacs: Is Buying “Off The Rack” Worth It?
[Updated 08 June 2020] It seems there’s nothing the dominant supermarket and grocery chains consider off limits when it comes to drawing a profit. Even Cognac isn’t immune to conglomerate...
10 Types of Brandy: All You Need To Know
Mar 06, 2019

All Articles

10 Types of Brandy: All You Need To Know
[Updated 08 June 2020] Whilst we are, naturally, champions of the wonder that is Cognac, we can’t love our classic French export without acknowledging that that the world does boast some other...

Other Armagnac products

All Armagnac products >>

Product added to wishlist
Product added to compare.
To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies and by continuing to use the site you agree that we can save them.  Our Privacy Policy
You have successfully followed this brand