A whiskey drinker’s gateway into old Armagnac — jammy fruit, maple sweetness, and familiar oak.
About Oade
“This is our journey. And we’re honored to share it with you— one barrel at a time.” – Oade
Founded in 2023 by Dan Hakker after a 20-year tech career, OADE stems from a decade of exploring distilleries worldwide. A first taste of Armagnac in 2018 sparked a fascination with the spirit’s complexity, individuality, and centuries-old traditions—leading Dan and his wife Robyn to Gascony and a mission to share these rare expressions with the United States.
OADE works directly with small, family-run producers, selecting rare casks on-site during trips to France. Every release is single-barrel, cask strength, and bottled with no additives, preserving the cellar’s original character. Each bottling is chosen for quality, uniqueness, and sense of place, celebrating Armagnac as a living time capsule shaped by people, land, and time.
What stands out about OADE is its emphasis on community and relationships. Dan’s ability to build genuine connections with producers brings Armagnacs that would otherwise never reach the U.S., at remarkably accessible prices. This speaks as much to the quality of the spirit as to the integrity of the person behind it.
What is Armagnac?
Armagnac is a French brandy from southwest France, distilled from wine and aged in oak. While ten regional grapes are permitted, nearly 99% of Armagnac comes from Baco, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche.
Its flavor and structure are shaped by grape variety, terroir, vintage, distillation quality, oak, aging conditions, and—most importantly—time in barrel.
Traditionally distilled in column stills and produced mostly by small estates, Armagnac offers deeper fruit, earthier spice, and individuality compared with other brandies, especially at older ages.
About the Producer – Domaine de Jean-Bon
Located in Toujouse, Bas-Armagnac, Domaine de Jean-Bon has been family-run by the Lacourts since 1905. Fourth-generation producers Béatrice Sourdois Lacourt and her daughter Clémence oversee all aspects of production.
The 50-hectare farm is deeply agricultural, with 6.5 hectares planted primarily to Baco—the signature Bas-Armagnac grape—alongside corn, sunflowers, and livestock. The estate’s name honors a past generation: one of three brothers named Jean, affectionately known as “Jean-Bon” (“Good Jean”).
Distillation occurs on-site using a traditional traveling alembic Armagnacais, with eaux-de-vie aged in 400-liter oak barrels from Gascon and Limousin forests. The rustic, dirt-floored cellar allows slow, steady maturation. Production is tiny—4–8 barrels per year—ensuring each cask reflects the family’s precision and sense of place.
Stats
- Age: 32 year
- Vintage: 1993
- Proof: 102.6 (51.3% ABV)
- Grape Type: Baco (Bas-Armagnac)
- Origin: Domaine de Jean-Bon – Toujouse, France
- Cask: 102
- Finish: Straight
- Release: Unreleased
- MSRP: TBD
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Cow tail candy, fig, and raspberry-jam-filled donut lead the way. Hints of maple syrup and a light dusting of nutmeg follow, framed by dark, tannic oak.
- Palate: Raspberry jam carries through from the nose with a firm structure of tannic oak and a supporting thread of maple sweetness.
- Finish: Raisin compote and brief peppermint lift into white pepper heat. Medium length with a slightly drying close.
- Presentation: Clean OADE logo; sample-only release.
This is the Armagnac I’d hand to a whiskey drinker.
Familiar oak and spice meet deeper, richer fruit, with minimal acidity and no eccentric flavors.
While incomparable to whiskey, its approachability makes it a perfect first pour
Value & Transparency
While unreleased, OADE Armagnac is often half to a quarter the price of similarly aged major Armagnacs.
OADE’s mission exposes U.S. consumers to small producers who otherwise wouldn’t be seen here, creating a win-win for producers and collectors alike.
Distinctiveness
A newer rating category judging uniqueness: finish, mashbill, rare age, or flavors not usually encountered.
This 32-year Armagnac is well-rounded, approachable, and moderately distinctive, though tasting high-aged Armagnac itself is notable.
Buy if:
- You’re a whiskey drinker looking for a gentle introduction to Armagnac.
- You enjoy rich, jammy fruit notes balanced by oak and subtle spice.
- You prefer a well-rounded, approachable spirit with minimal acidity or unusual flavors
Skip if:
- You’re seeking a bold, adventurous, or highly experimental Armagnac.
- You want strong herbal or bitter notes that challenge the palate.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 6.5 / 7
- Palate: 6 / 7
- Finish: 5.75 / 7
- Presentation: N/A
- Value: N/A
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 5.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 6.15 / 7 – Divine
Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This sample was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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