Darroze distillery

Introduction to Darroze

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Darroze is a prestigious French Armagnac house, located in the heart of Gascony, that embodies the perfect union of tradition and terroir. Renowned for its exceptional collection of vintage Armagnacs, Darroze has established itself as a guardian of heritage in the spirits world, offering some of the most remarkable expressions of this historic French brandy.

Each bottle from Darroze tells the story of a specific time and place, capturing the essence of the Armagnac region’s diverse terroir and the passage of time.

Why we have a soft spot for Darroze

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish producers who prioritize authenticity and provenance. Darroze stands out for its commitment to single-estate, vintage-dated Armagnacs that showcase the diverse personalities of different domaines across the Bas-Armagnac region.

Their approach to selecting, aging, and bottling these spirits with minimal intervention allows the true character of each estate and vintage to shine through, resulting in expressions that are both genuine and extraordinary.

The History Behind Darroze

Origin and development

The Darroze legacy began in 1974 when Francis Darroze, drawing on his experience as a sommelier and restaurateur, started selecting and bottling exceptional Armagnacs from small estates throughout the region. His deep connections with local farmers and producers gave him access to some of the finest eaux-de-vie in Gascony.

Francis pioneered the concept of domain-specific Armagnacs, preserving the identity of each estate rather than blending them together. This philosophy has become the cornerstone of the Darroze identity.

The people behind

Today, Francis’s son Marc Darroze continues the family tradition with the same passion and dedication. Marc has expanded the company’s reach while maintaining its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity.

The relationship between the Darroze family and the small producers they work with is built on generations of trust, allowing them to curate some of the most exceptional Armagnacs in existence, many of which would otherwise never reach a global audience.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Darroze doesn’t distill Armagnac themselves but rather acts as négociants, selecting the finest eaux-de-vie from trusted producers throughout the Bas-Armagnac territory. This region is renowned for its sandy soils that produce delicate, fruit-forward spirits.

The Armagnacs they select are traditionally distilled once in a continuous copper still, known as an Alambic Armagnacais, which preserves more of the grape’s character than the double distillation method used in Cognac.

Maturation and aging

After distillation, Darroze takes custody of the young spirits and oversees their maturation in French oak barrels. Many of their Armagnacs spend decades in these barrels, developing remarkable complexity and depth over time.

What sets Darroze apart is their commitment to minimum intervention during aging. They avoid excessive racking or filtration, allowing natural processes to shape the spirit gradually. Each barrel is monitored carefully, and bottling occurs only when the Armagnac has reached its optimal expression.

Selected Products from Darroze

Les Grands Assemblages Collection – The perfect introduction

Darroze’s “Les Grands Assemblages” range offers age-statement blends (8, 12, 20, 30, 40, and 60 years) that serve as an excellent entry point to their style. The 12-year expression displays notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and baking spices with a silky texture that exemplifies the elegant character of Bas-Armagnac.

These assemblages showcase Darroze’s blending expertise while maintaining their philosophy of terroir expression.

Unique Domaine Vintages – An experience for connoisseurs

The crown jewels in Darroze’s portfolio are their domaine-specific vintage Armagnacs. Each bottle is labeled with the exact estate, year of harvest, and bottling date. These single-cask releases offer incredible diversity, with some vintages dating back to the early 20th century.

Expect profound complexity, with notes ranging from dried apricots and orange peel to tobacco, leather, and exotic spices. The mouthfeel is often rich and velvety, with an extraordinary length that continues to evolve long after tasting.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

While not a distillery in the traditional sense, Darroze’s headquarters in Roquefort, France, houses their aging cellars and bottling facilities. Visitors can arrange private tours to explore their impressive collection of aging barrels and taste rare vintages not available elsewhere.

The experience provides invaluable insights into the art of Armagnac selection, maturation, and the subtle differences between domaines and vintages that make each Darroze bottling unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Darroze?

Darroze is a prestigious Armagnac house that specializes in selecting, aging, and bottling exceptional single-estate Armagnacs from the Bas-Armagnac region of France. Their approach focuses on preserving the authentic character of each estate and vintage, resulting in spirits that truly reflect their origin and age.

Where is Darroze located?

Darroze is based in Roquefort in the Landes department of southwestern France. This location places them in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac region, considered by many to produce the finest and most elegant Armagnacs due to its sandy soil composition.

What characterizes Darroze Armagnacs?

Darroze is known for their commitment to single-estate, vintage-dated Armagnacs that undergo minimal intervention during aging. Their bottlings are characterized by exceptional depth and complexity, with each domaine expressing its unique terroir. All Darroze Armagnacs are bottled at natural strength without chill filtration or added coloring.

Where can I buy Armagnac from Darroze?

You can find selected bottlings from Darroze at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their range to offer both approachable expressions and rare vintage releases, giving you access to some of the most extraordinary Armagnacs available anywhere.