World Whiskey Society 12 Year Armagnac Cask Bourbon bottled at 96 Proof — a $200; Production: Limited Release 885 bottles expression that merits close attention.
Nose
The Armagnac influence comes through pretty clearly on the nose, with a prevalent japanese plum aroma undergirded with a hint of eucalyptus, followed by subtle traces of stewed pear, clove, and a floral note I couldnt quite place. A short time in the glass gave way to prominent notes of dried fig and raw almond. After about an hour everything coalesced into an appealing bouquet of apple pie.
Finish
The armagnac influence really dominates up front here as well, creating a grape-forward, rounded mouthfeel that is back-loaded with vanilla and baking spices. The finish, though disappointingly brief, leaves a semi-sweet chocolate impression with some leather and just the faintest hint of caramelized banana. This is a solid, if somewhat un-mysterious offering. The Armagnac element, while luscious, is a little too dominant to me. It makes the bourbon sit in the back of the class rather than being fully integrated. What Im always looking for with a barrel-finish is not just merely elements of the barrel and then the elements of the distillate, but the unexpected that arises from their commingling. rnrnAnd so the most apt comment I can make on this is that it just didnt have a secret. By which I mean there was nothing that leapt out and surprised you in a way that made you really lean forward and think aaaah! Here is the alchemy. Here is WHY this bourbon was finished in this cask. But overall its an enjoyable expression, the bottle design is impressively ornate, and I look forward to what future expressions the World Whiskey Society has in store.
Verdict
World Whiskey Society 12 Year Armagnac Cask Bourbon represents solid craftsmanship at $200; Production: Limited Release 885 bottles. While it may not redefine expectations, it offers genuine quality and reliable drinking pleasure.
