Tasting Notes by Brand: Domaine Lous Pibous

Rating 6/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1995/2021 Cask #141 51.2% for L’Encantada

Nose: Potent, with deep oak and purple fruit flair. I was always blown away by the difference in gum in the USA and in France as a kid. France had the US beat for fruit, with epic Apricot flavors. But the USA sold huge hunks of chewing gum perfectly crafted to pry off fillings and get stuck in hair. Bubblicious grape gum may not have retained its flavor long, but what a chew. Julie has been buying cassis juice to mix with sparkling water for the kids. It was for the kids, but I love it so much, I am customer #1. I love those darker fruit concentrates. My buddy San came over to my rooftop last Thursday and brought blackberries from his fathers “tree”. I thought, bullshit, they only grow on vines. Turns out those insanely delicious treats are mulberries. First time having them and I am all in. So dark fruits and oaky oaky goodness. But not sawdust or fresh cut. I spent a good part of my life living in oak groves, with acorns littering the ground, and hints of moss climbing up these majestic trunks. Nature’s playground. Smells of wet, earthy nature.

Palate: Bit of heat on the first sip, then a big wave of flavor coats my mouth. Wood forward, although perhaps less of the full on cabinet spices. A shake of cinnamon and then back to the forest floor. Dark soil. Shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Unwashed under ripe black berries. Under all that power, the finish is a hint thin and turns herbal with tea tannins; like a lemon yerba mate. Even minutes after I can taste it, with a slightly chalky vibe.

Rating: 6 / 10 – Each of the notes are something to love. It’s really quite in line with my palate, but there is a minor imbalance in the force. I’m struggling to point at the gap. I’d buy one if the price is reasonable, and if not, it’s cool, tonight I am glad I tried it. It could be either a 6 or 7 and I went back a number of times. 6 it is. Oh, cool. Hasn’t tried this Pibous. Thanks kiddo. Turns out I bought one of these and hadn’t opened it yet. Not feeling too bad about the purchase and would put this as a middle of the pack pibous.

My daughter has been entering tasting notes into the distillates as a summer job. She was wondering how much a name affects the score, and I told her that it is perhaps one of the biggest factors. Humans are suckers for a story and prestige. She said I should do more blind tastings if I want my reviews to be honest. So, we made a blind sample grab bag. Picked 20 samples out of my collection at random. And each night I pull one out blind and try it and can’t look at the label before tasting. An experiment to see if my average rating goes up or down. She also put a few things I’ve had many times in there to test me. Fun. Tonight is the first.

Rating 7/ 10
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Lous Pibous 2003 Cask #183 (Lincoln Road) 56.5% for L´Encantada

Nose: caramel, oak, surprisingly mild booze. After some time in the glass I catch some vanillin and a hint of something fresh and herbal (eucalyptus, evergreen).

Palate: Caramel first, with earthy oak, and then something really fun – the herbal notes hinted at in the nose begin to dance around the mouth. Reminds me of chartreuse. There’s an unexpected burst of tarry creosote (which is one of my favorite aromas, if you’re familiar). Dry bitter orange, raw almond, threshold levels of oxidation-related phenols and butterscotch. The latter don’t detract but rather add pleasing depth. The finish is short and sweet, with the oak and chartreuse herbal notes and bitter orange lingering briefly.

Rating: 7 / 10 – I love herbaceous spirits, and this one leans that way. The nose was a little mild and the finish somewhat short, and it lacked some darker notes that would’ve pushed this over the top. But the sweet richness of the palate and the creosote chartreuse flavors make it deliciously memorable. (Revisit. 1/2020: lots of white grape today. Very much tastes like brandy not bourbon. Fresh coconut. Spearmint. Some floral FB notes of white lilies. Toward the end of the glass increasingly dark flavors of cocoa, prunes and tobacco).

Rating 9/ 10
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Lous Pibous 2005 Cask #233 56.1% for L´Encantada

Nose: I think I’m getting to the point where I could call out LP blind. Got that fruity, funky, meaty thing that I love about them. After it sits the vanillin comes out. Sugar plums, pomegranate molasses (goes great on biryani!), freshly opened bags of green tea, lemon zest, and old damp wilting flowers. Man, this nose feels like it will keep evolving forever.

Palate: Thick, unctuous, savory Lou Pibous goodness. Reminds me a lot, in the balance toward spice and savory notes, of WT Rare Breed. But it’s got sweet grapes to spare and some of that rich umami flavor I’ve found in other casks from them. Other days I’d call it suet. Today to me it tastes just like crisp black sheets of nori. The finish is black pepper beef jerky dipped in unsweetened bakers chocolate. That is just what the finish is, so there’s no point in writing more about it.

Rating: 9 / 10 – Over all, I loved the nose then briefly experienced a flash of initial disappointment when it first hit my tongue. It lacked the level of lip-smacking fruity caramel that I remember experiencing in Cask #223, and the herb factor of the Lincoln Rd #183 (2003). But, I’m not sure, having drained my glass, whether that’s true at all. Any slight dig in quality could be chalked up to being in a different state of mind. A side by side of these beloved 2003-2004 casks def needs to be done but for now I consider all of them (2003 #183, 2004 #183 / 223 / 233) among my favorite ‘gnacs I’ve ever had.

Rating 8/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1994 Cask #132 – 53.3% for L´Encantada

Nose: Booze and oaky notes of vanillin, spice, and apple fritters.

Palate: Thick, intense and boozy, but also sweet, with hot spices (ginger, cinnamon, pepper), leather, candied plums and caramel frosting. The finish is exceedingly long, for a yak! Skol, prunes, lemon Ricola, cocoa nibs.

Rating: 8 / 10 – This was one of my first Lous Pibous, and (along with Cask #13) what impressed me was how much like a good bourbon this was — sweet, boozy, spicy, oaky scrumptiousness. After having it open for some months, I’m about to finish the bottle (makes me sad!) and figured I might as well finally review it. I like this a lot. It’s rich, intense, and oaky. And while the barrel character definitely overwhelms what fruit there was, this scratches a specific overaged bourbon itch.

Rating 5/ 10
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Lous Pibous 2005 cask #193 57.3% for L´Encantada

Nose: A bit mild. Oak, chamomile, pleasant rooty and herbal notes of angelica and orris. Plus a meaty note. Fried chicken.

Palate: Effervescent sweets. Orange drink, purple drink and 7-up. Lemony acidity, Campari, black licorice (not the crazy salty Finnish ones, just regular mild American black stuff), and papaya. Plenty of oak, some of which still feels a bit green. The finish is not especially long, but pleasant sweet tea, creosote, and coriander seed.

Rating: 5 / 10 –  I love Pibous, almost everything I’ve had from them. I won’t say I’m disappointed, but relative to almost all other Pibous, this one was pretty mild and light. More in the vein of Lassalle 1991 and 1993, than the 1995 and 1999 which I preferred. But I won’t complain. It’s crazy drinkable and the price we got during the 20% off Black Friday sale was super appreciated.

Rating 9/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1996 Cask #152 54.9% for L´Encantada

Nose: Wow this is straight vanilla ice cream. How’d they do that? I thought they used French, not American oak. Fighting through the orchid pods, I find it has some of that wheater cherry pie thing going on. A la mode, in this case. Very PVW20. It’s very easy for the proof, with no methylbutanol or the like. Some tobacco and library book notes in there too. Can’t wait to taste this.

Palate: Wow. Buttery rich palate, almost too easy here, with no burn and nor tannin roughness. Torched creme brulee, licorice and fried fruit. Yum. This is one of my favorite finishes of any spirit I’ve ever had. Vanilla ice cream melting on the tongue for days. That licorice remains too. Earlier today, I treated myself to some of the salted licorice my dear, dear Swedish friends send me – so maybe that why it’s on my mind. Also. PSA: Salted licorice ice cream is a thing in Stockholm. I rate that stuff 10/10.

Rating: 9 / 10 – This is a beautiful spirit and a uniquely delicious vanilla bomb. Its oaky nose almost had me worried but the palate and finish got progressively sweeter. Just amazing yak.

Rating 9/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1993 Cask #124 52.5% for L´Encantada

Nose: Sweet vanilla oak with an undercurrent of signature LP meaty umami funk, and plenty of fresh cut lumber.

Palate: Attack is sweet but overall the palate feels a bit more austere than the #187. A huge serving of dry oak, leather, toasted marshmallows, orange soda, and Finnish licorice. Finish is some chargrilled steak with a side of potatoes, and a smear of tar.

Rating: 9 / 10 – As I understand it, this was one of the three original legendary Pibous casks that exploded onto the American bourbon drinkers’ palate in the 2010s and rocked their world: cask #187, #124, and #132. Everyone has their favorite, but generally it seems the consensus was 187 > 124 > 132, but it depends on who you ask. Overall, this was excellent, just excellent brandy. I am blessed to have tried it. Does it beat the #187? No, not for me. But it’s still pinnacle yak.

Rating 10/ 10
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Lous Pibous 2004 Cask#196 56% for L´Encantada

Nose: Oh wow this has a real rummy funk, with gobs of red raspberry jam, crazy oily meatiness, and vanilla bean yogurt. What in the world is this going to taste like?!

Palate: Hits so sweet and simply explodes on the palate with thick caramel, black cherries, and toasted almonds. Spicy with candied ginger and black pepper. The savory notes of coriander seed, congealed duck blood, and Texas hickory smoke. I’ve never tasted anything like this. Finish is sweet caramel, oak, camphor, and more of those black cherries.

Rating: 10 / 10 – This is one of many 2004 LPs out there, so that vintage must’ve been a bumper Folle Blanche crop for some reason. But this one was special, being picked quite early, after just 13 years in oak, and has developed a legendary status. Straight sweet, rich deliciousness. Is it too sweet? Too rich? Too easy to enjoy? I don’t care. This may be my all-time favorite cask from my all-time favorite producer, and it will haunt me forever, especially knowing I’ll likely never taste it again.

Rating 9/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1996 Cask #187 54.3% for L´Encantada

Nose: Maple brown sugar oatmeal. White chocolate, candied citrus peels and vanilla malt. More sweet and less funky fruits than I usually get from LP.

Palate: Concentrated piquant sweetness. Spicy oak, pomegranate molasses and preserved lemons. Leather, allspice, ginger and dried apricots. What a consistently Moroccan combination of flavors. The finish is legit long! Charred oak, tobacco, dried peach, hint of mint, faint burnt raisins and burnt match heads.

Rating: 9 / 10 – There have been several legendary Lous Pibous casks but for those who have tried them all, this one gets named as “the best” as much as any other. So expectations are cranked up to 11 as I go into this. Overall, yes I love it. I’m gonna reserve my “top spot” for another Pibous cask (or two) but this one is still just unbelievable.

Rating 7/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1995 Cask #144 Pick by Reid for L’Ecantada

Nose: All star nose. Grenadine syrup, star of anise, bourbon soaked cherries. The brûlée part of the creme brûlée without the cream. I guess that is basically smoked rock candy?!? Or those bright red cinnamon glazed apples. Touch of barbecue.

Palate: Sweet warmth. Licorice, cinnamon buns and baklava. Instantly followed by a pucker, tart red plums and balsamic vinegar. And a bit of burnt salted caramel. Such a great balance of tart and sweet. It is thinner than the nose implies but is quite delicious when you take your time.

Rating: 7 / 10 – As long as you don’t let the nose set your expectations for syrupy goodness, this bottle is a delight. It isn’t a small sipper though, which is tough at these sample sizes. A touch more concentrated and it would be truly special.

Rating 8/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1994 Cask #129 53.7%for L’Encantada

Nose: I haven’t had a pour in a week. Food poisoning is a brutal way to diet, but effective. I poured 1/4 the sample into a mini glencairn and went back to work. But the smell keeps calling my attention. Ridiculous with such a tiny pour. The French use the word gourmand, which translates to decadent, when they describe a pour this rich. My senses bask in it. Buttercream chocolate frosting. Bourbon cherries. I left my fabric mask sitting on a bag of spices from the farmers market on Thursday. Now it smells of star of anise and cloves and peppermint bark. And fruited pipe tobacco. I will definitely be doing that again. The oaken layer melts to a light funk towards the end of the nose, but it might be too small a pour to do that justice.

Palate: Bold and rich. Brighter and more herbal than I expected from the nose. Dark cherries and those candied fruits from high end christmas cakes. Bitch bark or licorice root. The after taste of a heavily roasted and nearly bitter espresso. When I was a teen, I learned to associate those small green wrappers and the crisp, clean bite of Andes Chocolate Mints as the hallmark of the end of a fancy meal. Dark chocolate and so minty fresh.

Rating: 8 / 10 – The nose is redonculous. Big, round, embracing. The mouth more herbal than I normally jive, but so well balanced I don’t care. But I’m clearly not minding the herbal tonight and normally homey don’t play that. Tested it again a week later, still freaking delicious. This is excellent.

Rating 10/ 10
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 Lous Pibous  1996 “Paul’s Pick” Cask #151, 56.2% for L’Encantada

Nose: Oh yes, it has everything!  Earthy forest floor and wet wood. Ripe fresh strawberries & cream. Funky oily beef, dark hot cocoa, faint herbal mint. What a nose.

Palate:  Robust oaky and fruity attack, with dark caramel, sawdust, red apple skin, forest floor & mushrooms, tobacco, black pepper, and a strangely effervescent, Jamaican ginger beer tingle. Appropriately Gascon – rough and rustic. Finish has orange pith, brown butter, ginger, Saltines, licorice. On and on…

Rating: 10 / 10 – An early Pibous cask, privately picked and treasured by those lucky few who acquired one. Think of these old Pibous releases as akin to the Willett “C” series of brandy. In full disclosure, the first night I tried this the roughness grated on me. And I do feel like the tannins are a little harsh in this one. But tonight side by side with 124, I like this even more than the other. It’s got the fruit and funk I love but also an earthy depth that makes it so interesting to nose and sip. Another all time favorite. 

Rating 4/ 10
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Lous Pibous 1996 Cask #183 49.8% for L’encantada

Nose: Sugar plums, latex gloves, hints of oaky vanilla and some earthy wet wood. The latex is the strongest note.

Palate: Hmm, immediate disappointment here. Very bitter, and little in the way of sweetness to balance it out. The latex phenols are back too, but it is kinda bland. If I dig around I find some grapes and caramel under there but they are way in the background. Finish is quite long… but I am not sure I want to spend a lot more time with this flavor combo.

Rating: 4 / 10 – This has been described as the worst LP ever. But considering the usual high quality of their casks, I was still excited to try this one. Sadly, rumors are true.