La Grande Josiane (Orange Brandy Liqueur) 36% 70cl

Description

La Grande Josiane is a Liqueur d’Armagnac or Armagnac liqueur made to an old, secret family recipe by Chateau de Bordeneuve. A superior, orange-flavoured brandy and an essential ingredient for a Pousse Rapiere cocktail

The Owners of Baron de Sigognac, The Guasch family, have been living in the Gascony region since the 12th century. They have owned Château Bordeneuve since 1974 and are one of the region’s largest courtier and negociant (broker and merchant) operations. Today the father-and-son team of Jean-Claude and Thomas look after viticulture, vinification and distillation. As well as Baron de Sigognac, they also bottle Chateau Bordeneuve Armagnacs and a range of liqueurs from the region.

There is one short column, alembic still at the Domaine (almost 100 years old), which produces up to 50 to 60 casks of new spirit annually. The wine is distilled on its lees, and drawn off at 55 to 58%, depending on the harvest. Distillation is continuous through day and night and manually controlled to account for temperature and humidity changes. Once distilled the clear, colourless spirit is aged in new, toasted oak barrels for nearly a year. It is then transferred to older barrels for a longer, slower maturation. It is here, in barrel, that the Armagnac leaches vanillins and tannins from the toasted oak which lend the spirit colour and flavour. The depth of colour and complexity of flavour increase all the time the spirit is aged in cask, the colour can range from pale straw to rich amber. As Armagnac ages it becomes darker in colour and softer, smoother and more elegant on the palate whilst aromas and flavours of prunes, violets, fig, honey, butterscotch and rancio develop. Part of the alcohol evaporates naturally during the long years in the cask – this is known as “la part des anges” (the angel’s share).

La Grande Josiane is made from 100% natural ingredients and is made by blending Chateau Bordeneuve Armagnac and extract of Bigararde oranges (also known as bitter or Seville oranges) together and the resulting liqueur is then left to age in oak barrels for the flavours to co-mingle, mellow and integrate to produce this soft, smooth orange brandy liqueur. It is characterised by fresh orange flavours, caramelised oranges, honey and spices.