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Spirits mogul Raj Bhakta’s second act has pushed historic age statements into new territory, with most bottles of his Bhakta 50 Armagnac that includes a minimum of some classic spirit courting to 1868. The remainder comes from numerous barrels courting between the late nineteenth and mid-Twentieth centuries, with the youngest classic produced in 1970. As such, no spirit within the model’s numerous releases dates any youthful than 50 years outdated.
If eye-popping age statements weren’t sufficient, Bhakta took the daring transfer of ending every batch in Islay whisky casks for two weeks, believing a contact of peat would assist convert the world’s high-end whisky drinkers to brandy.
We beforehand reviewed Barrel 3, discovering it a posh sip that holds weight even aside from the mix’s historic significance. Now, practically two-dozen batches in, Bhakta has launched a extra “accessible” 3-pack of 50ml bottles from its latest blends. At this time, we’re tasting Barrels 21, 22, and 23, every of which carries a mix of classic Armagnacs spanning that 1868-1970 time-frame.
Let’s dive in.
Bhakta 50 Armagnac Barrel 21 “Earhart” — The nostril opens with very gentle peat and smoke. After settling for a couple of minutes, I get extra of a hickory observe, together with sassafras and different vegetal notes that pair nicely with the smokiness. On the tongue, issues are extra muted; the peat fades shortly, there’s a begrudgingly brief hit of pine sweetness, and I get a conventional prune observe, however not for lengthy. The end is shorter than another Bhakta barrels, with some lingering campfire and blended wooden smoke, and a little bit of raisin that I discovered myself wishing would stick round longer. 95.8 proof. B+
Bhakta 50 Armagnac Barrel 22 “Patton” — Once more, peat comes by means of on the nostril, particularly for those who’re anticipating it. The wooden smoke lingers heavier right here, a contact deeper and noticeably richer than Barrel 21. The style offers a right away hit of tobacco, oily walnut, and fruitcake. There’s one thing savory right here as nicely; one sip offers a full trifecta of meat, potatoes, and dessert. The mouthfeel is noticeably thick with out veering into sticky territory. Then there’s a protracted end that sits nicely on all the tongue, and perhaps a contact of malt because it exits. General, Barrel 22 brings a remarkably balanced expertise from begin to end, the candy, savory, and smoky all enjoying nicely collectively, every noticeable with out coming near overpowering the opposite parts. This one is straightforward to achieve for and difficult to place down. 96.8 proof. A
Bhakta 50 Armagnac Barrel 23 “Morgan” — Of the three barrels on this assortment, 23 has the lightest nostril. There’s barely any smoke, however as an alternative extra baking spice; nosing blind, one is likely to be satisfied that is a very aged rye whiskey. On the palate comes wealthy, fruity chocolate, like cacao chosen for its berry notes. Black currant can be current. It’s vivid regardless of a thicker mouth really feel, and the style actually exceeds the nostril. There’s only a tiny little bit of smoke on the end, a burnt caramel sweetness, and lingering raisin. 96.4 proof. A-
$99 for the set / bhaktaspirits.com
Bhakta 50 Armagnac Barrel 21 “Earhart”
$99
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