Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington
Château de Laubade XO Bas-Armagnac
Armagnac — Bas-Armagnac, France
Reviewed
May 19, 2021 (edited October 27, 2021)
Golden amber in color and oh-so-slow legs that are a sight to be seen. Oh the nose - earthy tobacco, slight leather, floral notes, chocolate, vanilla icing, orange zest, slight cherry and oak. This is decadent.
I bought this looking to try armagnac for the first time. Frankly this seemed like the best option at my local TW and so here we are.
By comparison to the solera aged Spanish brandy and well aged cognac this is just a step up the ladder of comole city on the nose. I can smell sweet floral, fruit and bakery notes from my snifter at arms distance reclining in my chair. If this is France then take me there. Yet there is a hint of caramelized sugar and banana wafting in that reminds me of rum and the sweltering heat of Trinidad (very different story but good memories).
So, the taste?
Viscous with a burst of leather and spice that fade slowly into dried fruits (figs, raisins) and orange zest on first entry. The spice reminds me of tasting a cigar wrapper before lighting it - a noticeable tingle and zing. A warmth is noticeable in the chest but is subdued compared to bourbon.
More vanilla and tobacco come through on second approach with mildly drying wood tannins and dried fruit for days. The Demerara sugar and bananas from the finish sneak into the finish. This is just as hedonistic as the nose.
That’s it - I’m sold. Armagnac and I will be friends. If this can be outdone I can’t wait to find out but will do so for now. With so few pours available around town (actually none that I know of) this becomes and internet hunt, click and wait game. So far I’ve found a shop in France that exports and has a bottling from my birth year I might need to grab. Any good leads on armagnac please send my way!
75.0
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per
Bottle
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@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington I’ve used Astor Wines out of NYC. They ship as well. Ex-US, I’ve used Finedrams.com , but shipping is pricier. I’ve stopped using TWE b/c they seem to charge the most and have the highest shipping cost
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington good call on the stomach. Mine’s already saying no thanks to anything beyond 55% these days...
@PBMichiganWolverine @ContemplativeFox any recommendations on where to shop for armagnac?
@ContemplativeFox there is a lot to be explored! Long answer - I decided XO or hors d'âge would match my palate due to the wood notes of bourbon. Problem becomes the pay-to-play cost and I might try a Castle & Key aged in bourbon barrels if I go younger. I can appreciate wine but have no sense of calibration that would allow me to really dissect it the way I do bourbon. One day I figure my stomach will start saying no to neat pours of 120 proof whiskey and wine and brandy will be a kinder and gentler exploration. Short answer - I really enjoy the mix of earthy (tobacco, chocolate) and fruity elements I’ve gotten so far and paired with medium viscosity could become part of my weekly rotation.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington i’m a huge fan of Armagnac as well. Try L’Encantada Louis Pibous Hail Yak, or also Darroze Les Grand Assemblage 40yr old
I'm glad you're enjoying Armagnac :) I'll have to send you some samples from my collection, especially as I start opening some more of my bottles. What are your thoughts on Cognac?
Great review and that sounds sooooo good. I love a good cognac in the evening but have yet to try an Armagnac. I'm sold too!