A beautifully mature Bas-Armagnac from Ferme de Bacoge that marries dark fruit richness, floral elegance, and mint-driven complexity into one of Oade’s most complete releases to date.
Stats
- Age: 36 year
- Proof: 107.2 (53.6% ABV)
- Grapes: 100% Baco
- Origin: Ferme de Bacoge — Bas-Armagnac, France
- Finish: Straight (Single New Oak barrel)
- Release: Limited release, cask strength – available Thursday, June 18th, 2026
- MSRP: $252 (Oade)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: The nose opens with fig jam, raisin paste, and dark fruit preserves, immediately showcasing the depth that 36 years of maturation can provide. With time, rose petals, lily pollen, caramelized demerara sugar, and chocolate cream emerge, while a distinctive spearmint note adds lift and complexity.
- Palate: A moderately coating mouthfeel delivers maple syrup sweetness before transitioning into dark fruits, spearmint, and herbal notes. An intriguing brightness develops through flavors reminiscent of cherry liqueur and orange bitters, creating a balance between richness and acidity.
- Finish: The finish begins with a burst of pepper spice before settling into a long, drying combination of tannic cherry, dates, anise, and nuttiness. Lingering spearmint ties back to the nose, creating a satisfying and well-structured conclusion.
For bourbon drinkers, imagine taking some of the best qualities of a classic Barton bourbon and blending them with the herbal elegance and spice often associated with Willett. That’s the closest comparison I could find for this remarkable Armagnac.
“The Balance” opens with a deeply satisfying nose loaded with dark fruit preserves, syrups, and florals before moving into a palate that leans sweeter and more tannic than expected. While the mid-palate doesn’t quite reach the complexity promised by the nose, the finish pulls everything together with a long, evolving ride of spice, tannin, fruit, and mint. After multiple tastings, I found this to be perhaps the most aptly named release from Oade yet—a spirit that consistently finds equilibrium between sweetness, oak, fruit, and maturity.
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.
Distinctiveness
While I’m still early in my journey exploring the nuances of Armagnac, this release clearly differentiated itself from many others I’ve tasted. The combination of deep, dark sweetness on the nose paired with a noticeably higher herbal and mint-driven profile on the palate and finish created a memorable contrast.
What stands out most is how those herbal characteristics never feel intrusive. Instead, they provide lift and structure to what could otherwise become an overwhelmingly rich and fruit-forward spirit. The result is an Armagnac that earns its name by consistently balancing opposing elements.
Author’s Note: Presentation omitted due to only a 200 ml sample provided.
“…This is an excellent example of why vintage Armagnac continues to be one of the most compelling value propositions in the world of aged spirits.”
Transparency
Transparency simply doesn’t get much better than this.
Oade provides complete information regarding the estate, vintage, grape variety, region, bottling details, and production history. Ferme de Bacoge itself offers a compelling story, and buyers know exactly where this spirit originated and how it was produced. From vineyard to barrel, there is very little left unanswered.
For enthusiasts who value provenance and authenticity, this is about as transparent as a spirit release can be.
Value
At $252, this isn’t an inexpensive bottle, but context matters.
Comparable 35- to 36-year-old Armagnacs routinely sell anywhere from roughly $150 to nearly $500 depending on producer, rarity, and market availability. Vintage single-estate Armagnacs often represent some of the strongest values in aged spirits, especially when compared to similarly aged whiskey or Cognac.
Viewed through a whiskey lens, a 36-year-old cask strength release with this level of transparency would likely command significantly higher pricing. Oade also brings small estate Armagnacs to the U.S. market that most consumers would never encounter otherwise without traveling to France. That added access carries value of its own.
For drinkers interested in exploring mature Armagnac, the asking price feels justified.
Buy if:
- You enjoy deep dark fruit profiles with figs, raisins, dates, and syrupy richness.
- You appreciate minty, herbal complexity alongside sweetness.
- You’re looking for a mature spirit that showcases balance over brute force.
- You want to experience a 36-year-old vintage Armagnac without entering ultra-premium pricing territory.
Skip if:
- You prefer spirits driven primarily by oak, leather, and heavy rancio notes.
- You dislike spearmint or herbal qualities in your pours.
- You want the nose to translate directly and completely onto the palate.
- You’re seeking the absolute highest concentration and viscosity possible from an aged spirit.
Verdict
Oade’s “The Balance” may be the most appropriately named release I’ve tasted from the bottler. The nose delivers a captivating mix of dark fruit preserves, florals, and caramelized sweetness, while the palate and finish weave in mint, citrus brightness, spice, and tannin without ever becoming overwhelming.
I found myself wishing the extraordinary nose carried more completely through the palate, but that’s a relatively minor criticism in the context of a highly enjoyable and remarkably mature spirit. For those willing to venture beyond whiskey, this is an excellent example of why vintage Armagnac continues to be one of the most compelling value propositions in the world of aged spirits.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 6.4 / 7
- Palate: 6 / 7
- Finish: 5.75 / 7
- Presentation: N/A
- Distinctiveness: 5.5 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 5.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 6.03 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| 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 to Good sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. Often 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. All opinions are my own.
About 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.
“This is our journey. And we’re honored to share it with you— one barrel at a time.”
— Oade Armagnac
About the Producer – Ferme de Bacoge
Located in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, Ferme de Bacoge traces its roots back to the 17th century. In addition to producing Armagnac, the property is also home to a working duck farm, reflecting the agricultural traditions that define much of Gascony.
The estate specializes in Armagnac distilled from 100% Baco grapes, with each vintage spending its entire life in a single new oak barrel housed within centuries-old cellars. Since 1983, second-generation owner Christian Bergerot has managed the property, gradually expanding the family’s holdings.
The 1988 vintage featured in Oade’s “The Balance” represents a fascinating period in the estate’s history. During the late 1980s, Bergerot and former owner André Labarbe were simultaneously producing Armagnac from separate parcels of the same property. As a result, these barrels serve as rare snapshots of a transitional era at Ferme de Bacoge and offer a unique glimpse into the estate’s evolution.
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