SMWS A5.1 - Chateau de Laubade 1989 Vintage Armagnac

Whisky: SMWS A5.1 - Chateau de Laubade 1989 Vintage Armagnac

Region: Bas Armagnac - Colombard

ABV: 61.3%

Price: £97.50

And now for something a little different. Today we’re reviewing our first Armagnac. This 1989 vintage bottle was matured for 29 years in Gascon black oak. If you’re tempted to try this and UK based you can still buy this from the SMWS website.

Nose

Woody caramel, Shloer (the non-alcoholic grape drink), tingly alcohol spice, sugary-mustiness, and quince paste.

Palate

Woah, this is luscious viscous spirit that coats the mouth for hours, light oak tannins, brown sugar, and fresh fruit compote. Finish here is laden with warm baking spices that go on and on.

Nose (with water)

Lots of toasted wood, a little note of guyanese rum, boiled sweeties, and pepper spice. We’re also getting more alcohol on the nose post water.

Palate (with water)

Spices takes over from the sweeter notes. We’re reminded of lemon pepper seasoning. There’s some tropical fruit notes like pineapple, but they’re quite far in the background.

Conclusion

A spirit that could make the most old-school of whisky drinkers convert to brandy. Lots of fruits, wood and spice combined with a hefty ABV and silky mouthfeel makes this the perfect aperitif. We’d suggest avoiding the addition of water as it takes away from some of the sweet juiciness that this has without, unless you’re into those spicier flavours.

Score: 8/10 

• 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
• 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
• 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
• 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
• 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
• 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
• 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
• 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
• 2 - Pour it out
• 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

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