12-01 Bhakta 1928 Golden Age Blend
Bhakta
1928 Golden Age Blend Limited Edition Release
50% ABV
Straight Rye Whiskey Blend
π Look: Bright red copper color with amber edges. It has nice, thick legs that roll down the glass slowly.
π Nose: Apple and warm spice, then you get a touch of mint, pepper, and black licorice. There's a background sweetness of vanilla custard and caramel.
π Palate: A nice warm rye spice kicks in, followed by oak and white pepper. There are notes of apple, a slightly bitter orange peel, caramel, pear, and a dusting of vanilla and powdered sugar.
π Finish: Long and smooth, feels velvety, and leaves a pleasant, buttery sweetness behind.
The Details
This is a blend of 60% rye whiskey (aged 5 years), 30% Calvados (age unspecified), and 10% Armagnac. The Armagnac is a blend of 1928, 1941, 1973, 1984, and 1996 vintages.
According to the folks who made it, 5% of the bottle is over 50 years old, 30% is over 30 years old, and the average age is 15 years old.
It was blended by Raj Peter Bhakta (of Whistle Pig fame) and is meant to be a "celebration of the roaring twenties." Specifically: "With 1928, we set out to bottle the spirit of the Golden Age--when men dressed to fly and cocktails came with caviar. This isn't just a drink; it's a time machine. A celebration of beauty, bravery, and boundless ambition."
The MSRP of $69 makes this a pretty good pour overall. The older spirits add a nice complexity, but the younger rye is noticeable. The labeling is a bit tricky, calling it "straight rye whiskey" then listing the "calvados & armagnac" right underneath. Still, it's recommended if you enjoy rye with a brandy twist.
https://bhaktaspirits.com/products/bhakta-1928
https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/american-whiskey/rye-whiskey/bhakta-1928-straight-rye-whiskey-calvados-armagnac/p/2126235709
https://www.hopsgrainandvine.com/product/s-10802/p-23800643/buy-bhakta-spirits-1928