BHAKTA SPIRITS 1928 STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY
 

VERMONT, USA

Why Buy: Raj Peter Bhakta, who founded WhistlePig and then went on to amass the world's largest vintage spirits collection, has returned with a new masterpiece of a release — a BHAKTA “1928” rye from his eponymous label BHAKTA, which last year took home the designation "No. 1 Spirit in the World" at the 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. This extraordinary rye boasts a breathtaking pedigree of nearly century-old luxury. Named for the precious 1928 vintage Armagnac in its blend, it weds the finest American rye whiskey with rarefied Armagnac vintages from 1941, 1962, 1973, and 1996, an opulent fusion of rye, French Armagnac, and Calvados, there is truly nothing else like it in the Rye category. All our previous BHAKTA releases sold out quickly, and we fully expect this limited release to do the same. A superlative pour no discerning collector can afford to miss.
 

What They’re Saying: "The rye whiskey market is booming, as are super-aged high-end whiskies,” writes Maxim, “but even those finds don’t quite have the juice (literally) that BHAKTA’s new 1928 Rye contains.”  It’s just one publication among a chorus of critics and connoisseurs alike who are raising a glass to this release, and to BHAKTA more generally, which, Men’s Health opines, is "easily one of the most interesting drink companies out there.”
 

The Story: 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, a true maverick, the next step was to step back, and embark on a personal journey of discovery. First came a sojourn to India, the land of his ancestors, where he steeped himself in the subcontinent's spiritual traditions. Next came a pilgrimage to Japan, and his embrace of the quiet discipline of Zen artisans. But it was a visit to a remarkable French château, in a sleepy village, that proved most transformative. There, surrounded by bygone glamor and a cellar overflowing with vintages from another era, Bhakta discovered his future. His new mission? To create a new luxury spirits brand, but one built upon an utterly unique premise: vintage spirits. Unlike conventional bottles bearing an age statement, each of Bhakta's labors of love would be a singular work of art, inherently different bottle to bottle and never to be replicated. Small-batch production, patience, and an obsession with flawless quality — these would be the watchwords of the brand. As would the old-world tradition of wet-cask finishing, allowing the rye, bourbon, or rum to mute its youthful oak influence by spending time in casks previously seasoned with ancient Armagnacs.
 

Our Tasting Notes: What we have here, friends, is a true gourmand's indulgence, conjuring up rich, decadent flavors of toffee, nougat, dried fruits, citrus zest, and roasted nuts — all buoyed by a creamy, velvety texture. The barrel influence adds layers of complexity, while a gentle spice persists to the end. And that end — wow; so long and harmonious, calling forth notes of poached pear and applewood smoke and summoning visions of a well-aged Calvados paired with a finely rolled cigar. 
 

ABV: 100 proof.
 

Fun Fact: In a past life, and before WhistlePig, Bhakta — a former veteran, was nearly shot in an attempt to commandeer an Indian artillery unit which was being deployed in an undeclared war against Pakistan in the Himalayas; later in a 2006 run for Congress, he led an elephant and Mariachi band across the Rio Grande near Brownsville, Texas.
 

Our Guarantee: As with all our offerings, this spirit come directly from the estate. Your bottles will arrive in pristine condition, ready for your cellar—or your glass.