The impeccable '83 vintage from Jean-Bon is one of the most exceptional brandies in the store at any price point. With only tiny amounts available, this should be top of the list for any serious brandy lover but also serves as an incredible alternative for those lovers of old Scotch who can't quite bring themselves to spend the money on an equivalently aged single malt. Let's have a taste. The color is a stunning russet (1.3). The nose, after the requisite aeration, is simply immense. At 53% you'd expect some heat, but instead you travel down and deep the rancio rabbit hole. Old leather, old fine wooden furniture, varnish, blackcurrant pastille, sticky fresh-rolled cigar, nocino, and black cherry. The palate is quite oily and full of nutty sweetness offering a bold and palate- enveloping thickness that is rare even in old brandy. Expect dark dried fruits, roasted chestnut, toasted clove, tense herbal structure and a long dry finish. The tannins are soft but present with an extremely long almost mentholated finish. A stupendous example of what the oldest school, unadulterated style of Armagnac can deliver.