Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Bardstown Bourbon Company. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Armagnac is a French brandy that many consider the rough cousin to the more refined and well known Cognac. Each of these has their own flavor characteristics I’ve found over time, but Armagnac in particular I find to be a more earthy and rustic tasting experience on the palate. It was thus interesting to try this Armagnac cask finished bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, a distillery out of Bardstown, Kentucky that’s known for its cask finishing programs with its sourced American whiskeys.
The exact bourbon I have before me, Bardstown Bourbon Company Château de Laubade Bourbon, was released earlier this year as a limited edition expression. It was bottled at 118.4 proof, taking the form of 12 year old bourbon (mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley) taken from MGP stock that was finished in Armagnac barrels for 18 months. The price point of it is around $125 per 750 ml bottle.
The Armagnac barrels Bardstown sourced came from Château de Laubade, an armagnac distillery first built in 1870 that’s located “in the heart of the prestigious Bas Armagnac district.” It is known for having seven aging cellars and a single vineyard of 260 sustainably farmed acres. This operation believes greatly in the “science of wood” as a “prime element for aging the greatest Armagnacs” and selects “local Gascony ‘black’ oak trees for its barrels.”
Château de Laubade Directeur Général chez Famille Lesgourgues Denis Lesgourgues noted at the time of this bourbon’s release that “by using high quality barrels that have contained the finest Armagnacs, we knew that it would result in a fantastic bourbon expression.” Let’s see if what he says is true.
Tasting Notes: Bardstown Bourbon Company Chateau de Laubade Bourbon
Vital Stats: 12 year old Indiana bourbon finished for 18 months in ex-Armagnac barrels from Château de Laubade; mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley; 118.4 proof; around $125 per 750 ml bottle.
Appearance: A warm dark amber. A whiskey that leaves beautiful lines in the glass.
Nose: This is a whiskey loaded with decadent flavors, likely because of the armagnac cask influence. I got from this caramel, toffee, brown sugar, cinnamon and just a general sense of sweetness. Letting it sit for a bit lets some of the subtle notes come forward, finding some of that classic vanilla from the oak barrel, walnut, and, strangely, some chestnut.
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Palate: This is a bourbon with some moderate heat at the front.` It opens into apricot, molasses, green apple and candy corn. Some time spent getting air into the glass brings forward vanilla, spice (particularly pepper), more stone fruit and perhaps a hint of paprika.
Finish: A lovely moderate finish.
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