BHAKTA 2011 ARMAGNAC CASK FINISH BOURBON WHISKEY
WHY BUY:
The good folks at BHAKTA opened this extraordinary 12-year, 111 proof bourbon for a year-end staff celebration, liked it so much, and decided to release it to the public — but talk about limited quantities: they produced just 11 barrels! Of course, scarcity and exclusivity matter only if the bottling itself is any good, and believe me, this one’s got that covered, and then some. Finished for 12 months in Château BHAKTA's finest Armagnac casks, this super-sophisticated slow-sipper is the third release in their coveted annual Armagnac Cask Finish series and yet another hit for a distiller that keeps ’em coming — it took home more awards than any other distillery in 2024.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
In just the past year alone, BHAKTA earned two of the most coveted awards in the industry: Rye Whiskey of the Year 2024 from the Bartender Spirits Awards, and Distillery of the Year 2024 from the USA Spirits Ratings. Wine Enthusiast was able to pin down what’s so special about this brand, rightly noting that their "commitment to vintage-dated releases brings a wine collector's sensibility to the spirits world."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
A bourbon that announces itself with immediate authority, but without any cock-of-the-walk strutting. The nose opens with luxurious notes of vanilla fudge and caramel, backed by refined oak and gentle smoke — the Armagnac influence undeniably there, but never asserting itself. On the palate, dark chocolate takes center stage, accompanied by brown sugar and burnt caramel, a neat braiding of the bourbon's American origins and French finish. The 111 proof delivers spice and warmth but without harshness, building to a finish that surprises, thanks to a light (but vivifying) hint of lemon zest.
THE MASHBILL:
84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley.
THE STORY:
How did this bottling come to be? Let’s have the BHAKTA team tell you: "We threw a party late last year” — to celebrate BHAKTA's unprecedented sweep of number one awards — “and opened a '11 cask of bourbon... The barrel was so spectacular that we decided to bottle all that we had — only 11 in total." It's a perfectly BHAKTA moment: spontaneous, celebratory, and utterly exclusive. That same maverick spirit has long animated the career of Raj Peter Bhakta, who made history selling WhistlePig for an estimate $1 billion in 2018, then embarked on a personal odyssey that led him from spiritual traditions in India to Zen discipline in Japan. But it was a transformative visit to a remarkable French château in a sleepy village that proved most influential. There, surrounded by bygone glamor and cellars overflowing with vintages from another era, Bhakta discovered his future: creating luxury spirits built upon the utterly unique premise of vintage expressions. Unlike conventional bottles bearing age statements, each BHAKTA release represents a singular work of art, inherently different and never to be replicated. Small-batch production, devoted patience, fanatical obsession, and flawless quality … it all adds up to one of the most exciting spirits brands today.
ABV:
55.5% (111 proof).
FUN FACT:
The BHAKTA estate in Condom, France, houses what's believed to be the world's largest collection of vintage Armagnac, with barrels dating back to 1868.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only source from the distiller itself, to ensure pristine provenance in delivery. Secure your bottle of BHAKTA’s most exclusive bourbon today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer only valid in CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, NJ, TX, & WI. This offer will expire on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.