The nostril is heat with apple pie filling and darkish, caramelized sugar. Regardless of a principally rye recipe, it is fairly plush, virtually buttery, with little in the best way of full of life spice.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: BHAKTA Spirits
- MASH BILL:
- 60% – 2018 Rye whiskey completed in virgin French Oak
- 30% – XO Calvados
- 10% – Mix of Armagnacs from 1928, 1941, 1962, 1973, 1996
- AGE: 15 years previous (common)
- YEAR: 2023
- PROOF: 100
- MSRP: $69
- BUY ONLINE: Purchase from BHAKTA Spirits
DREW’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: The adventurous American whiskey lover in search of one thing a little bit bit completely different. If they’re already a fan of unique whiskey finishes, likelihood is good they’ll get pleasure from this one.
WORTH THE PRICE: Sure. The worth is affordable, maybe for the rye whiskey element alone, however when you think about the rarity of the Calvados and Armagnacs that make up the opposite 40% of this bottle, it is virtually a cut price.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. The worth is true for this one, which is as distinctive as it’s gratifying. Deliver it to your subsequent bottle share, and I am sure it would have individuals speaking. Plus, it appears nice on the house bar cart.
OVERALL: In the event you’ve by no means heard of Raj Bhakta, the person behind Bhakta 1928, likelihood is nonetheless good that you’ve got tasted a few of his whiskey. He based WhistlePig in 2010 and constructed it into an iconic rye whiskey model earlier than exiting the corporate in 2019. Since then, he is turned his consideration extra to unique spirits like Armagnac and Calvados, amassing a classic spirits library that goes again so far as 1868 (when Grant was president). His eponymous model initially launched a handful of very classic Armagnac blends, and continues to take action, however in recent times the main target has been on blends of American whiskey and brandy. And in that class, this bottle has been his most profitable effort to this point.
BHAKTA 1928 is usually MGP-sourced rye, so followers of “Distilled in Indiana” will virtually actually discover the core of this expression acquainted. Calvados, a French brandy distilled from apples and aged in oak, provides a wholesome layer of fruit and delicate wooden spice that can even be considerably recognizable to followers of wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys. Probably the most unique element, and the smallest, is a mixture of classic Armagnacs courting again almost a century. Lately, Armagnac has been billed as gateway brandy for bourbon lovers attributable to its manufacturing course of (column nonetheless vs. pot for Cognac) and uniquely strong profile. Even Armagnacs aged for 100 years can retain the fulsome heat and spice of a better proof bourbon. Mix all of these elements collectively, and also you get a surprisingly complicated entire worthy of any residence bar.
The nostril is heat with apple pie filling and darkish, caramelized sugar. Regardless of a principally rye recipe, it is fairly plush, virtually buttery, with little in the best way of full of life spice. Because it opens, there is a bit extra vitality with blooming barrel notes and noticeable wooden spice, however the aroma retains a sublime and alluring depth. The palate is a little more excessive tone with a modest quantity of rye up entrance accentuated by candy, crisp notes of caramel apple and pear tart. It is silky and warming and dangerously straightforward to sip. A flourish of white pepper punctuates the beneficiant end which simmers with creamy vanilla taffy, seasoned oak, and rye spice.
BRAND NOTES
Daring Rye Whiskey fortified with Historical Armagnac. BHAKTA 1928 embodies the Spirit of the Roaring Twenties—Increase Instances, Boundless Optimism, and Large American Desires. On this breakthrough mix, America’s best rye is unified with France’s oldest spirits, together with Armagnac from the uncommon and beautiful 1928 classic, to seize the essence of an iconic period’s je ne sais quoi.
The 2018 Rye provides a traditional spicy and peppery observe. The 30% XO Calvados gives a wealthy apple profile that completely enhances the spicy nature of the Rye grain. Lastly, our Historical French Brandies convey layers of complexity and robustness that really good the mix.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter acquired a pattern of this product from the model for assessment. We admire their willingness to permit us to assessment their merchandise with no strings connected. Thanks.
