Review: Bardstown Bourbon Chateau de Laubade
The upstart Bardstown Bourbon Company continues to make a name for itself by collaborating with any number of unusual — arguably obscure, even — brands, using a whole bunch of oddball barrels to finish its wares.
The latest limited release is a collaboration with French brandy-maker Château de Laubade, taking 12 year old MGP bourbon and finishing it in Armagnac barrels for 18 months.
Sounds like an amazing combination. Let’s give it a spin.
The nose is instantly and extremely rich, a melange of coffee bean, cocoa powder, and plum jam. Hints of rosemary and black pepper add a significant spiciness — though the high abv is enough to sear the nostrils. On the tongue, the whiskey remains a beaut. The brandy finishing is easily apparent, layering notes of raisins and spice atop a base that runs to dark caramel, milk chocolate, barrel char, and vanilla — all otherwise classic bourbon elements. A little water doesn’t hurt, helping to bring out an Oreo cookie note and more baking spices on the finish.
Deftly balanced, it hits all the highlights of a classic bourbon, spinning things just so with a lovely float of Armagnac. Probably my favorite whiskey from Bardstown to date.
118.4 proof.
A / $125 / bardstownbourbon.com
Bardstown Bourbon Chateau de Laubade
$125
