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Bourbon Review: World Whiskey Society 12 Year Armagnac Cask Bourbon

We review World Whiskey Society 12 Year Armagnac Cask Finished Bourbon, a sourced Kentucky bourbon finished in Armagnac casks for 16 months.

OVERALL RATING

7
$200.00
  • Jason McBeth, hospitality expert and consultant with 15 years' experience in fine dining beverage programs.
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World Whiskey Society 12 Year Armagnac Cask Finished Bourbon review

Tasting Notes

About:

96 Proof (barrel proof); Mash: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley; Age: 12 years; Size: 750ml; Price: $200; Production: Limited Release 885 bottles.
Appearance:
burnished copper to deep gold
Nose:
The Armagnac influence comes through pretty clearly on the nose, with a prevalent japanese plum aroma undergirded with a hint of eucalyptus, followed by subtle traces of stewed pear, clove, and a floral note I couldn’t quite place. A short time in the glass gave way to prominent notes of dried fig and raw almond. After about an hour everything coalesced into an appealing bouquet of apple pie.
Palate:
The armagnac influence really dominates up front here as well, creating a grape-forward, rounded mouthfeel that is back-loaded with vanilla and baking spices. The finish, though disappointingly brief, leaves a semi-sweet chocolate impression with some leather and just the faintest hint of caramelized banana.
Finish:
Comments:
This is a solid, if somewhat un-mysterious offering. The Armagnac element, while luscious, is a little too dominant to me. It makes the bourbon sit in the back of the class rather than being fully integrated. What I’m always looking for with a barrel-finish is not just merely elements of the barrel and then the elements of the distillate, but the unexpected that arises from their commingling. rnrnAnd so the most apt comment I can make on this is that it just didn’t have a secret. By which I mean there was nothing that leapt out and surprised you in a way that made you really lean forward and think aaaah! Here is the alchemy. Here is WHY this bourbon was finished in this cask. But overall it’s an enjoyable expression, the bottle design is impressively ornate, and I look forward to what future expressions the World Whiskey Society has in store.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jason McBeth

Jason McBeth, a seasoned hospitality professional and consultant, boasts nearly 15 years of experience curating fine dining beverage programs. His impressive resume includes collaborations with six Michelin Star and/or James Beard award-winning restaurants. As a consultant, McBeth has conceptualized and implemented distinctive cocktail programs across diverse markets, ranging from Los Angeles to Lincoln, Nebraska, and Richmond, Virginia. Beyond the realm of spirits and hospitality, his passions lie in poetry and basketball. When not indulging in his professional pursuits, McBeth finds solace in shucking oysters for his wife, accompanied by a bottle or two of grower Champagne.

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