After a not-so-amicable cut up in 2019 from WhistlePig, the whiskey model he based in 2007 that ushered in a rye renaissance, American entrepreneur Raj Bhakta set off on a journey of self-discovery. He acquired a cellar of Armagnac in Condom, France, which housed brandy relationship again to 1868. Impressed, Raj added two of France’s most interesting brandy types, XO Calvados and the ultra-aged Armagnac, to a brand new rye whiskey: Bhakta 1928.
It is made out of 2018 classic American straight rye whiskey (60 p.c), then enriched with XO Calvados (30 p.c), and at last fortified with a mixture of Armagnac from 1928, 1941, 1962, 1973, and 1996 vintages (10 p.c)—and there’s a little bit brandy that’s over 100 years outdated. Bhakta 1928 then undergoes a double cask end in virgin French oak.
“Starting with a base rye superior to nearly any I’ve created earlier than, Bhakta 1928 lastly achieves the dream of whiskey, perfected—by means of the transubstantiation granted by a magic contact of 1928 Armagnac,” Raj says. “Isn’t it time we introduced again the spirit of the Roaring Twenties? Let the brand new growth instances start.”
On the nostril, the spirit presents aromas of custard, caramel, and vanilla. The palate delivers flavors of oak, spice, and extra vanilla. The end lingers with extra oak alongside mellow tannins.
Since launching Bhakta Spirits, Raj has launched a wide range of spirits, together with Bhakta 1990 Rum ($500 per bottle) and a 50-Yr-Previous Brandy (now priced at $450 per bottle). Bhakta 1928 is his most accessible product but at $70 and may be bought by way of the model’s official web site.