Castarede 1942 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee 50 cl 40%

In 1942, amid the German occupation of France, this Armagnac was distilled in the country's south-western corner, far from the front lines but not from the hardships of daily life. 64 years later, it was finally bottled in 2006.

Expert's Description

Castarède 1942 Vintage Appellation is a French Bas-Armagnac, distilled in 1942 and bottled in 2006, at 40%.

The house of Castarède, founded in 1832, is the oldest trading house in the entire Armagnac region and has built one of France's most extensive archives of vintage Armagnac across six generations, with bottles dating back to 1893.

This 1942 vintage was distilled in Bas Armagnac and rested in oak for 64 years before being bottled in 2006. The back label on every bottle documents both the distillation and bottling years.

Compared with its two-years-older sister vintages from 1939 and 1940, the 1942 vintage is slightly younger, yet still carries the same deep, integrated character that only decades of cask ageing can bring.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted walnut, dark caramel and a light earthy undertone.

Palate

Warm and spiced, with notes of dried dates and a hint of pepper.

Finish

Long and soft, with a closing, dry tobacco note.

Specifications

Name: Castarède 1942 Vintage Appellation
Distillery: Castarède
Country: France
Type: French Bas-Armagnac
Vintage: 1942, bottled 2006
Age: 64 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: French Oak, Gascony

Flavour Profile

Toasted Walnut · Dark Caramel · Dried Dates · Tobacco

Investment Potential

As a documented wartime vintage, Castarède 1942 carries a medium to high investment potential. Vintage Armagnac from the 1940s grows scarcer by the year, and comparably old Bas Armagnac bottles often change hands for above their original release price when they appear on the secondary market.

Did You Know?

Although France in 1942 was split between the occupied zone and Vichy-controlled territory, the Armagnac region in Gascony continued its distillation, making this bottle one of the physical threads connecting today's tasting experience directly to the everyday life of the war years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castarède 1942 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee

How rare is Castarède 1942?

It is a documented single vintage from the occupation years, with a back label confirming the distillation and bottling date, making it a rare bottle.

Is Castarède 1942 worth it?

With its documented wartime vintage and the house's status as Armagnac's oldest trading house, the bottle appeals to the collector who values history and rarity.

How should the bottle be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, ideally with the seal intact, so the complexity is preserved.

Is it a good gift?

Yes, a 1942 vintage Armagnac is a natural gift for a collector or for a milestone occasion tied to the vintage year.

At what temperature should it be served?

Room temperature is ideal, letting the deep spice and tobacco notes unfold.

Which glass suits it best?

A tulip-shaped Armagnac glass, which concentrates the complex aromas.

What defines Bas Armagnac?

Bas Armagnac is the finest of the three production zones and typically yields the deepest, most integrated Armagnacs.

When was Castarède founded?

The house was founded in 1832 and remains family-owned across six generations.