I love bourbon, I love Armagnac and as it happens, it seems like the two work well together in releases like this Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish. Though, in a Simpsons vs South Park High way, High West did it first. And, as it happens, they did it very well well so this Bardstown release has a direct, and major, comparison to overcome.
The K&L, ex-Armagnac, High West American Prairie Bourbon Barrel Select I picked up last year was great. It combined the best of MGP bourbon with the best of a good Armagnac and the two came together in a way that fully enhanced the bourbon. And that’s exactly what we have here. The same 75/21/4 MGP mash bourbon finished in Armagnac barrels which leads us to just one question… who wore it better?
Bardstown or High West? The elegant, now, classic or the new hotness? This is might be one of the most important whiskey questions of this year, so let’s get to drinkin’ and find out!
Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: Indiana, USA
Distiller: MGP
Producer: Bardstown Bourbon Co.
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Armagnac
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 59.2%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: Chateau De Laubade
Price: $125*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Deep ruby
NOSE
Leathery dark fruit, deep oak, cocoa, baking spices, copper, citrus peels, toffee and some vanilla taffy. When I say dark fruit I mean the whole category: prunes, raspberries, blackberries, raisins, etc. This is a juicy, dark complex aroma I don’t want to stop sniffing.
PALATE
Leathery dark fruit, deep oak, cocoa, graham, baking spices, copper, citrus peels, toffee and some vanilla taffy and mustiness. This is a near carbon copy of the aroma in the best possible way and the Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish palate keeps pulling me back for more. However, it is a tad lighter than the aroma.
FINISH
Long -> Leathery dark fruit, roasted nuts, oak and spice fade out to a fruity, spiced dark chocolate note; the perfect ending to this dense beast.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, full-round body and an oily feel.
Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish – Overall Thoughts and Score
This. Is. Stellar. You can draw a direct thread between that awesome K&L High West pick from 2020 and this Bardstown execution, and I love them both. Bourbon, at least MGP Bourbon, finished in Armagnac barrels appears to produce some kind of brutally decadent dark magic that ensnares the senses and I want more of it. A lot more of it.
This is the perfect harmony of Armagnac and Bourbon that’s both heavy and subtle. A dash of water brings out more toffee/caramel notes and also expands the layers of dark fruit. I’m afraid, scratch that, I know, this sample of Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish won’t make it through the week. It beats the High West by the slimmest of margins and snags a slightly higher score, but damn… I like this trend.
SCORE: 4.5/5
*Disclosure: The sample for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Bardstown Bourbon Laubade Armagnac Finish Review $125
Summary
I’m floored by this combination of Bourbon and Armagnac. It’s a complex monster of a whiskey that pulls you in and won’t let go. But after the first sniff and sip, why would you want to leave?
Overall
- Nose(4.5)
- Palate(4.5)
- Finish(4.5)
- BBF(4.5)
