Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Armagnac
(750 ml) -

About the Whiskey
Armagnac, one of the world’s oldest and most characterful brandies, imparts deep complexity when used as a finishing cask—infusing bourbon with notes of dried fruit, burnt sugar, clove, and tobacco. To complement these bold, spicy-fruity characteristics, the BCS blending team carefully selected bourbon barrels that would both harmonize with and amplify the Armagnac cask influence. The result is a bourbon that is robust yet elegant, with layers of flavors—from dried plum and dark toffee to warm vanilla—culminating in a long, lingering finish.

BLEND COMPONENTS:

Kentucky: 10 years old

Indiana: 7, 8, 11 & 12 years old

Tennessee: 9, 13, 14 & 15 years old

DERIVED MASH BILL:

Corn: 78%

Rye: 18%

Malted Barley: 4%

Bottled in Kentucky

113 proof cask strength bottling

Tasting Notes:

The aroma deftly navigates the ground shared by both bourbon and armagnac, exhibiting strawberry rhubarb pie and candied walnuts. Chocolate peanut butter cups on the palate signal a sweetness that would be liqueur-like if not kept in check by the high proof. Of course, only a splash of water is needed to push everything into decadence.

Appearance: Deep amber.

Nose: A quick burst of pineapple belies an otherwise dark and brooding nose. Potting soil, cola, and grape soda recall the finishing cask’s former contents. But a generous helping of caraway, pumpernickel, ginger beer, and menthol make sure you know you’re drinking bourbon. An array of dried fruits and various nuts coalesce into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Palate: Syrupy sweetness and bold spice are kept in check by some sandy tannin and the heat of its cask-strength. That residual sugar makes every flavor feel like a liqueur -- pithy orange, hazelnut, black walnut. Tobacco and chocolate covered espresso beans mirror the darkness of the nose and almost obscure a fresh pop of watermelon.

Finish: Clove and oolong tea aren’t out of place in the finish of a bourbon or an Armagnac. What’s notable though is how the sticky sweetness of dried plum and pecan pie clings to the palate alongside the lingering richness of custard.

With a splash of spring water

The nose grows tightly focused on the sweeter elements. The palate also takes its sugar and spice theme up a notch.

Awards/Reviews:

"Cask Finish Series: Armagnac brings layers of depth to this complex base bourbon blend that spans nine bourbons originating from three different states. Fig, apricot, clove, and tobacco are accented by cinnamon spice on the nose. Apricot spills over into the palate, transitioning to a denser, sweeter dried apricot flavor. Leather, toasted oak, and tobacco add a savory dimension, with raisin and clove complementing the layered mix of flavors. On the finish, cinnamon stick and white grape give way to more apricot and leather, ending on a sweet-savory note." - Breaking Bourbon