There are 1,000’s of whiskeys on the market right now. At some point in the not-too-distant past, it became tough to tell them all apart if not for the tenuous tales brands weave about their past. Bhakta 1928, which certainly has it’s own story to tell, is doing something truly unique.
Raj Bhakta, the founder of WhistlePig back in the day, created Bhakta Spirits after getting his hands on a stock of old Armagnac brandies ranging from 1868 to 1970. And while many of its products are in the $500 to $5,000 range, they’ve recently released Bhakta 1928, a new, more attainable flagship spirit.
A boundary-breaking blend of straight rye whiskey, XO Calvados, and ultra-aged Armagnac named in honor of the most ancient vintage contained in each bottle, BHAKTA 1928 unifies America’s finest rye with France’s two most exquisite brandies.
Building from a bold base of 2018 vintage American straight rye whiskey (60%), the blend is then enriched with XO Calvados (30%) — adding deep age and complex layers of rich, juicy fruit. But it’s the final fortification of ancient Armagnac from the über-rare 1928, 1941, 1962, 1973, and 1996 vintages (10%) which transport BHAKTA 1928 into unprecedented territory.
Admittedly, I can’t say how much of the 1928 Armagnac is in the bottle. It could be one drop for all I know. What I can say, though, is that Bhakta 1928 is definitely not a gimmick.
Yes, the beautiful, luxurious bottle channels the Roaring Twenties. Yes, they’re throwing around old numbers without actually saying how much of each is in it. At the end of the day, though, the spirit is tremendous. The blend works perfectly and makes you want to sit there and think about the unique blend of old spirits you’re tasting and what each might be bringing to the table. It’s rich, sweet (for a rye), and has a load of complexity. Plus, at 100-proof, it’s perfect as is. Just pour, sip, repeat.
At $70, Bhakta 1928 is well worth giving a shot. If nothing else it’ll be unique in your cabinet that’s already full of typical bourbons and ryes. The next allocation is due out in January 2024, so start checking shelves or you can order directly through the website.
