BHAKTA SPIRITS 2012 INDIAN SINGLE MALT WHISKY
 

INDIA

Why Buy: This excellent, limited-release (only 500 cases) single malt from the maverick force behind Whistle Pig spent a decade aging in first-filled bourbon, ex-Islay and charred bourbon barrels in India's tropical climate (which acts as a turbo-boost to the maturation process) before being finished in vintage Armagnac casks. The result? A single malt of walloping power (113.8 proof), complexity, and mature sophistication, and yet another hit for his new brand, BHAKTA Spirits.

The Brand: When Raj Peter Bhakta made history by selling WhistlePig for $1 billion in 2018, the spirits world wondered what sorcery the visionary entrepreneur behind the modern high-end rye renaissance would conjure next. For Bhakta, an inveterate iconoclast, the next step was actually to step back. He embarked on a personal journey of discovery to Japan, France, and India – one that would ultimately lead him to the creation of a new luxury spirits brand built upon the foundation of vintage spirits.

What They're Saying: The New Wine Review, in its "Six New Whiskies to Look for This August," a lineup that includes great new releases from Knob Creek, Elijah Craig, and Laphroaig, wrote, "India has low-key made some of the world’s best single malt for decades. But it’s rare to find one that’s 10 years old. ... This single malt ... somehow defies the odds."

Our Tasting Notes: Even before you so much as put your nose to the glass, you’re captivated by the color, a cool topaz. The nose is exotic, transportive, serving up an intriguing blend of cardamom and cacao, complemented by aromas of fresh sourdough, tropical fruits, and the barest hint of smoke. On the palate, a delicate, malty sweetness segues to rich, savory flavors of roasted chestnut, toasted oak, and peat smoke, all intertwined with delicate floral and honey notes. The finish is lengthy and bright, with undertones of marmalade and a wonderful and welcome touch of smoke and peat.

The Story: Born from Northern India's grain-rich fields and copper pot-distilled in the tropical environs of Goa, this exceptional 10-year-old Indian single malt – one of the oldest produced to date in its native land – traveled halfway around the world to Vermont. There, Raj Peter Bhakta's talented team shepherded it into the finest BHAKTA 1982 Armagnac Vintage barrels brought over from Château BHAKTA in France for a lengthy 131-day slumber. 

Fun Fact: Raj Peter Bhakta’s story is a classic American immigrant’s tale; according to New England magazine, his father, a Hindu Indian, arrived in the U.S., in 1969, with just $68 in his pocket.

Our Guarantee: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, to ensure that your bottles arrive with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!