Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast them 6 to 8 minutes, until they turn light brown.
Spread a sheet of foil on a work surface and oil it lightly.
Spread the toasted almonds close together in a single layer on the foil.
Mix the sugar and water in a skillet, preferably nonstick.
Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-high heat tilting the pan but not stirring it, until the sugar turns pale gold.
Continue cooking it, watching it closely, until it turns a rich honey color.
By this time most of the bubbling should have died down.
Immediately pour the sugar over the almonds and use the flat side of the potato to spread the caramel evenly over the nuts. Until they have a thin, uniform coating of caramel.
Allow to cool.
When the caramel has cooled and hardened, break it into chunks and store it in an airtight container.