Chateau du Tariquet Pure Folle Blanche 15 Year Old Bas-Armagnac has been rated the best Armagnac in the world at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition. The Eauze-based winery and distillery’s bottling was the only Armagnac to score an Outstanding Gold, the annual competition’s highest honor.
“Very elegant with intriguing rancio nose, but it has retained its freshness. Very luxurious, the alcohol is working the aromatics perfectly; clotted cream, raspberry jam and chocolate truffles in the end,” wrote the judges.
It was a great day overall for Chateau du Tariquet, as eight of the house’s Cognac’s won medals. Three took home Golds, their Pure Folle Blanche 12 Year Old Bas-Armagnac (96 points), AOC Blanche Armagnac (95 points), and XO Bas-Armagnac (95 points), and they also one one silver and three bronze medals.
Check out all the medal-winning Armagnac bottlings from the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition below:
| Name | Country | Producer | Medal |
| Pure Folle Blanche 15 YO Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Outstanding Gold |
| Château De Pellehaut 2005 Armagnac | France | SCV Beraut | Gold |
| Château De Pellehaut Selection L?Age Tendre Armagnac | France | SCV Beraut | Gold |
| Pure Folle Blanche 12 YO Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Gold |
| Château De Pellehaut 1994 Armagnac | France | SCV Beraut | Gold |
| AOC Blanche Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Gold |
| XO Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Gold |
| Le Légendaire Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Silver |
| Château De Pellehaut Reserve- Bel âge Armagnac | France | SCV Beraut | Silver |
| Waitrose & Partners No.1 Armagnac Vsop | France | Emporia | Silver |
| No. 1 Armagnac VSOP | France | Waitrose & Partners | Silver |
| 2005 Vintage Armagnac | France | Château de Lacquy | Silver |
| Marquis Reserve Armagnac | France | SPA | Silver |
| Pure Folle Blanche 8 YO Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Bronze |
| VSOP Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Bronze |
| Marquis Extra Old Armagnac | France | SPA | Bronze |
| Lauvia Reserve Armagnac | France | SPA | Bronze |
| 1995 Bas-Armagnac | France | Château du Tariquet | Bronze |
| Lauvia Hors d’Age Armagnac | France | SPA | Bronze |
| Hors D’âge Armagnac | France | Château de Lacquy | Bronze |
Elsewhere at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition, High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey was rated the top Rye Whiskey, receiving an Outstanding Gold and scored 99/100. Maison Prunier Tres Vieille Grande Champagne Cognac, meanwhile, was awarded an Outstanding Gold and rated the top Cognac with a score of 98/100. Château du Breuil Calvados Pays D’Auge 15 Ans was rated the best Calvados at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition and scored a 99/100, winning an Outstanding Gold. Filliers Barrel Aged Genever 8 Years Old was ranked the world’s top Genever.
Eight Gins, meanwhile, were awarded Outstanding Gold medals. While 10 Vodkas were also given the contest’s highest prize, along with 8 Liqueurs. Nine Rums scored 96 out of 100, the top ranking in the category.