Gastronomy

A World to Conquer

Long considered cognac's poor cousin, l'Armagnac should now find its true nobility thanks to the Collection Joÿ 2007. Two seasoned connoisseurs, from a family of Armagnac producers, are at the origin of this project, both of them willing to take a chance on this sector of the liquor market. And what a market! It seems that all of Russia is ready to spend a startling 10 000 euros on any one of the eight bottles labelled Number One of the vintages between 1888 and 1917. Don't worry, it is not a question of taking advantage of a newly opened and booming luxury market, because the quality - and this word is perhaps insufficient - is under scrutiny. Presented before us are prodigious Armagnacs, blended into a perfectly balanced liquor. Each exceptional blend brings with it the essence of the vintage to make for a collection which should definitely allow our ideas of what makes a good 'eau de vie' to evolve.

A fashion make-over

If you think “luxury”, you think refined and extraordinary bottle. Packaging should be by a great designer who can lend his creativity to the project. Christian Lacroix and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac may have politely declined the invitation, but we are thankful that Spanish designer Paco Rabanne took up the challenge and created a streamlined form of crystal, dressed in silver. One could almost mistake it for a bottle of perfume, (and at least its spray nozzle guard would against wasteful consumption!) At the end of the day, this 2007 collection offers 397 bottles of Joÿ Armagnac, containing a blend of the finest armagnacs produced over the last two centuries in a subtle combination, along with specific vintages of Joÿ Armagnac. Obviously chosen for their personality, certain amongst them are ultra-rare, such as the 1912 vintage (14 bottles to be sold) or the 1914 (12 bottles). A nectar which is worth its weight in gold, and its success cannot be denied. Bravo!