Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo) has announced the newest addition to their Collaborative Series, a 12-year bourbon finished in Château de Laubade Armagnac barrels.
The expression begins with a 12-year Indiana straight bourbon, which is then finished for 18 months in Armagnac barrels that once held the French brandy varietal made at Château de Laubade. The resulting finished whiskey is bottled at a cask strength 118.4 proof.
“This unique, limited collaboration has a striking burst of white flowers and bright citrus that blend beautifully with classic aged bourbon,” said BBCo Vice President of Hospitality and Education, Dan Callaway in a press release. “On the palate, rich apricot with honey, espresso and cinnamon spice combine to create a layered and appealing flavor. A sublime, balanced finish quickly becomes the star of this transatlantic partnership.”
“For Château de Laubade, collaborating with Bardstown Bourbon Company was very exciting, as bourbon is in many ways similar to Armagnac: a long heritage, true craftmanship, a deep notion of “terroir” and great human adventures,” said Château de Laubade Directeur Général chez Famille Lesgourgues, Denis Lesgourgues in a press release.
“The science of wood is a prime element for aging the greatest Armagnacs, and Laubade pays meticulous attention in selecting the local Gascony “black” oak trees for its barrels,” he continued. “By using high quality barrels that have contained the finest Armagnacs, we knew that it would result in a fantastic bourbon expression. Through this collaboration with expert professionals in Kentucky, we are adding a new dimension to our quest for innovation.”
Past releases in the Collaborative Series from BBCo include The Prisoner Wine Co. Collaboration, Copper & Kings American Apple Brandy and Double Muscat Mistelle, and more.
Bottles of the new Bardstown Bourbon Company Château de Laubade are arriving in early May in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, California, Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware for a suggested retail price of around $125.
