When discussing the components of a great brandy, the soil is just as important an indicator of quality as it is to a great wine. Boingnères grows all their fruit in a majority of sand and limestone, the absolute best makeup for producing fantastic grapes. Run by Martòn Lafite, of the esteemed Château Lafite family, the Domaine also owns their own still (rather than hiring someone to bring them a still like many producers do) so they have been familiar with the workings of their distillation for decades. The aromas of the Reserve Speciale are full of new wood with rich fruit lying underneath it. A blend of Folle Blanche and Colombard, the spirit is less than 10 years old, but at 48% abv has only been slightly reduced with water. The palate has loads of creamy fruit with a finish of mocha and orange peel. It is the definitive Armagnac for the true connoisseur, on the list of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in France.