BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: BHAKTA Spirits
- MASH BILL:
- 60% – 2018 Rye whiskey finished in virgin French Oak
- 30% – XO Calvados
- 10% – Blend of Armagnacs from 1928, 1941, 1962, 1973, 1996
- AGE: 15 years old (average)
- YEAR: 2023
- PROOF: 100
- MSRP: $69
- BUY ONLINE: Buy from BHAKTA Spirits
DREW’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: The adventurous American whiskey lover looking for something a little bit different. If they are already a fan of exotic whiskey finishes, chances are good they will enjoy this one.
WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. The price is reasonable, perhaps for the rye whiskey component alone, but when you consider the rarity of the Calvados and Armagnacs that make up the other 40% of this bottle, it’s almost a bargain.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. The price is right for this one, which is as unique as it is enjoyable. Bring it to your next bottle share, and I’m certain it will have people talking. Plus, it looks great on the home bar cart.
OVERALL: If you’ve never heard of Raj Bhakta, the man behind Bhakta 1928, chances are still good that you’ve tasted some of his whiskey. He founded WhistlePig in 2010 and built it into an iconic rye whiskey brand before exiting the company in 2019. Since then, he’s turned his attention more to exotic spirits like Armagnac and Calvados, amassing a vintage spirits library that goes back as far as 1868 (when Grant was president). His eponymous brand initially released a handful of very vintage Armagnac blends, and continues to do so, but in recent years the focus has been on blends of American whiskey and brandy. And in that category, this bottle has been his most successful effort to date.
BHAKTA 1928 is mostly MGP-sourced rye, so fans of “Distilled in Indiana” will almost certainly find the core of this expression familiar. Calvados, a French brandy distilled from apples and aged in oak, adds a healthy layer of fruit and subtle wood spice that will also be somewhat recognizable to fans of wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys. The most exotic component, and the smallest, is a mix of vintage Armagnacs dating back nearly a century. In recent years, Armagnac has been billed as gateway brandy for bourbon lovers due to its production process (column still vs. pot for Cognac) and uniquely robust profile. Even Armagnacs aged for 100 years can retain the fulsome warmth and spice of a higher proof bourbon. Blend all of those parts together, and you get a surprisingly complex whole worthy of any home bar.
The nose is warm with apple pie filling and dark, caramelized sugar. Despite a mostly rye recipe, it’s quite plush, almost buttery, with little in the way of lively spice. As it opens, there’s a bit more energy with blooming barrel notes and noticeable wood spice, but the aroma retains an elegant and alluring depth. The palate is a bit more high tone with a modest amount of rye up front accentuated by sweet, crisp notes of caramel apple and pear tart. It’s silky and warming and dangerously easy to sip. A flourish of white pepper punctuates the generous finish which simmers with creamy vanilla taffy, seasoned oak, and rye spice.
BRAND NOTES
Bold Rye Whiskey fortified with Ancient Armagnac. BHAKTA 1928 embodies the Spirit of the Roaring Twenties—Boom Times, Boundless Optimism, and Big American Dreams. In this breakthrough blend, America’s finest rye is unified with France’s oldest spirits, including Armagnac from the rare and exquisite 1928 vintage, to capture the essence of an iconic era’s je ne sais quoi.
The 2018 Rye adds a classic spicy and peppery note. The 30% XO Calvados provides a rich apple profile that perfectly complements the spicy nature of the Rye grain. Finally, our Ancient French Brandies bring layers of complexity and robustness that truly perfect the blend.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
