Gaspard de M. Armagnac is named in honor of Joseph-Gaspard de Maniban, an 18th-century scion of the aristocratic Maniban family. The Manibans were prominent landowners in Gascony and among the most important Armagnac producers of their time.

Located in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac region, the Château de Maniban dates back to the 16th century and once housed one of the largest Armagnac inventories. In 1722, Joseph-Gaspard became the first President of the Toulouse Parliament; he and his family had the distinction of introducing their Armagnac to the royal court of King Louis XV.

In 1979, the esteemed Castarède family—proprietors of the oldest Armagnac house—purchased the Maniban estate and established it as the seat of their operations. Castarède crafts Gaspard de M. Bas-Armagnac using grapes grown in the estate’s 16-hectare vineyard. The brandy is distilled and aged—under the watchful eyes of resident owls—in the historic Maniban cellars.

The spirit of Armagnac has been steeped in history and tradition for more than two centuries. To bridge this rich heritage with a contemporary cocktail audience, Gaspard de M. is committed to creating a highly accessible Bas-Armagnac for bartenders.

The Distiller’s Cut is punchy and edgy, with just the right touch of funk. Its age and woodiness shine in stirred cocktails like a Sazerac, Old Fashioned, or a Manhattan variation.