Distilled from grapes in the southwest of France, armagnac is a brandy whose barrels make a tasty, if rarely sighted finish for whiskies. GETTY/ATLANTIDE PHOTOTRAVEL
Armagnac, cognac’s less famous cousin, is distilled from a blend of grapes in Gascony, France. It’s a niche spirit in the U.S., and whiskies finished in armagnac barrels are even more so. The spirit’s history stretches back to the early 14th century, and while it shares DNA with France’s more well-known brandy, armagnac’s single distillation and unique aeration and aging—distillers aerate the spirit by periodically rebarreling the armagnac, with some producers doing this yearly—give the spirit character all its own.
Often, armagnac-finished whiskies are released as limited editions, like Yellowstone’s 2020 special release, or retailer single barrel bottlings, like the occasional armagnac-finished releases from High West, which often go to stores like California’s K&L Wine Merchants or the Midwest’s Binny’s Beverage Depot.
While armagnac-finished whiskies are still few in number, recent years have seen releases like Armorik Breton, Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s collaboration with Château de Laubade, Craigellachie 13 years old Bas Armagnac Cask Finish, Laws Whiskey House Experimental Barrel Straight Bourbon Finished in Armagnac Casks, and Whiskey Del Bac’s 2022 Spring Distiller's Cut American single malt. Others, from distillers like Old Elk and Old Line, have put armagnac-finishes on more people’s radar screens.
Armagnac-Finished Whiskies to Try
92 Bardstown Bourbon Company Chateau De Laubade Armagnac Cask Finished (2022 Release), 53.5%, $160
The second of Bardstown’s armagnac-finished whiskeys, this blend of Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons is dense with a palate of French toast, raspberry jam, bright apples, and nutty vanilla.
90 Bhakta Armagnac Finished Bourbon, 50.3%, $150
This opens with raspberry Italian ice, sweet tea, and a touch of earthiness before unfolding to a peppery sip and finishing with vanilla and oak..jpg)
89 Yellowstone Limited Edition Armagnac Cask Finished (2020 Release), 50.5%, $100
Herbaceous and balanced by a honeyed sweetness on the nose, with a palate that balances ripe citrus, and sweet, dark fruits before slowly fading to toasted oak. 
87 Brough Armagnac Cask-Finished Bourbon (Batch 03), 44%, $49
On the nose, subtle dry fruits and herbs rise above a nutty sip. Spicy and dry before finishing with sweet vanilla.
NR Old Elk Armagnac Cask-Finished Bourbon, 54.25%, $90
A blend of straight bourbons finished for 6 months in armagnac casks.
NR Old Line Armagnac Cask-Finished American Single Malt, 50%, $65
Aged for 3 1/2 years in white oak, then finished 1 1/2 years in armagnac casks.
