Samalens

The Samalens company, situated in the heart of the Bas Armagnac region, was founded in 1882 by Jean Samalens. It is now in the capable hands of his grandson, Pierre.

It has four traditional continuous Armagnac stills, which have been un-modified for over 100 years except for introducing gas heating (they were the first in 1962) and a simple but unique computer system to control the flow of wine. These adaptations allow very consistent and efficient distillation. With the original top rectification plates, the spirit comes off the stills at around 52% and has great complexity, but requires lengthy ageing to temper the fiery spirit.

Samalens also has four charentais copper pot stills. By using these Cognac stills and the double distillation method, Samalens distils the lees to create more body and floral characters, and are thus able to produce a softer spirit to add to their younger blends. Uniquely for an Armagnac house, Samalens also make their own wine.