1995 L'Encantada - Lous Pibous #146 (K&L) - Bas-Armagnac - 56.4%
When K&L dropped Lous Pibous #188 (Brandy Bros), I did something absurd. Something I'm not proud of. I'd already waited an eternity for it to arrive (had to route the package through another state). As soon as I got the box, I took a knife to the orange wax. When I popped it, the nose was unreal straight out of the bottle. So I walked right back over to the computer and ordered two more bottles. The fact I ordered two more without tasting it (open bottle in hand) was probably my spirit hobby bottom. I will say, through two bottles, I never got tired of that nose.
That could generally be said about all the Lous Pibous' noses I've encountered. And it usually doesn't stop at the nose. Many LPs have been among my all-time favorite spirits. Of the 11 barrels I've tried, there's only one I wouldn't be very tempted to purchase. Most I'd stretch the budget for.
Nose: Rich and woody. On the right track. Deep oak, dried fruits, roasted nuts, burnt sugars - this is why you seek out the ‘90s LPs.
Flavor: Oak. Chocolate. Rhubarb. Flamed orange peel. Oak is a little too drying, costing some complexity in the finish.
Structure: Thick and chewy up front. But the oak thins and lengthens the palate in short order.
Alcohol Integration: As with most LP, it’s bold, drinking on the pleasant end of hot.
Score: 7 (Highly Recommend) Oak gets pretty big and dry at the expense of fruit and sweets especially into the finish. The nose makes up for most of my complaining though.
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Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Wish I Was Drinking Something Else
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour