Full Review

Bhakta Spirits

Bhakta Spirits
2013 Armagnac Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Category: Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 50.3%
93 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$149

Bhakta Spirits
2013 Armagnac Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Category: Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 50.3%
Dark amber color. Aromas and flavors of vanilla, caramel, and scottish fudge, grilled peaches and dried apricot, walnut, anise, and caraway, and potpourri and coffee cake with a velvety, vibrant, bone-dry medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, medium-long finish evoking touches of walnut and leather, orange zest, vanilla caramel cream, and maduro tobacco and peanut brittle. Beautiful and very interesting nose complimented by a complex palate of similarly diverse flavors.

Tasting Info

Spirits Glass Style: Rich & Full
Aroma Aroma: vanilla, caramel, and scottish fudge, grilled peaches and dried apricot, walnut, anise, and caraway, and potpourri and coffee cake
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with touches of walnut and leather, orange zest, vanilla caramel cream, and maduro tobacco and peanut brittle
Smoothness Smoothness: Warming
Finish Finish: Long
Enjoy Enjoy: neat, on the rocks and with cigars
Bottom Line Bottom Line: Beautiful and very interesting nose complimented by a complex palate of similarly diverse flavors.

The Producer

Bhakta Spirits

The Producer

Their Portfolio

98 Bhakta Spirits 1973 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.3% (France) $399.00.
94 Bhakta Spirits 1979 Single Vintage Armagnac 54.9% (France) $339.00.
94 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Pickerell Barrel No. 26 Islay Whisky Cask-Finished Armagnac 47.7% (France) $450.00.
96 Bhakta Spirits 1990 Armagnac Cask Finished Jamaican Rum 62% (Jamaica) $500.00.
93 Bhakta Spirits 2013 Armagnac Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey 50.3% (USA) $149.00.
97 Bhakta Spirits 1964 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.1% (France) $579.00.
94 Bhakta Spirits 1974 Single Vintage Armagnac 49% (France) $389.00.
93 Bhakta Spirits 1984 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.9% (France) $299.00.
94 Bhakta Spirits 1994 Single Vintage Armagnac 55% (France) $194.00.
93 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Jackie Barrel No. 27 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac 47.3% (France) $450.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Rasputin Barrel No. 28 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac 47.4% (France) $450.00.
96 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old De Gaulle Barrel No. 29 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac 48% (France) $450.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Emperor Norton Barrel No. 30 Islay Cask-Finished Armagnac 48.2% (France) $450.00.
96 Bhakta Spirits 1928 Blended Straight Rye Whiskey, Calvados, and Armagnac 50% (USA) $69.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 2012 Indian Single Malt Whisky 56.9% (India) $150.00.
98 Bhakta Spirits 1965 Single Vintage Armagnac 47.1% (France) $539.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 1975 Single Vintage Armagnac 48.8% (France) $379.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 1985 Single Vintage Armagnac 53.4% (France) $289.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 1962 Single Vintage Armagnac 50.3% (France) $619.00.
97 Bhakta Spirits 1979 Single Vintage Armagnac 54.9% (France) $339.00.
96 Bhakta Spirits 1982 Single Vintage Armagnac 53.9% (France) $309.00.
98 Bhakta Spirits 1989 Single Vintage Calvados 45.8% (France) $250.00.
95 Bhakta Spirits 50 Year Old Iron Lady Aged Brandy Barrel No. 31 49.9% (France) $450.00.

Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Spirits Glass Glencairn Canadian Amber.jpg
Serve in a Glencairn Ganadian Whisky Glass
A Cask-Finished Bourbon Whiskey will undergo additional maturation in one or more barrels, the previous contents of which contribute to the aromas and flavors of the final product. Examples include but are not limited to used Rum, Cognac, Port, Sherry, Madeira, Stout, and maple barrels.

Bourbon Whisky must contain a minimum of 51% corn, be produced in the United States, be distilled at less than 80% ABV (160 proof) and be aged in new charred oak barrels; 'straight' bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years, although in practice virtually all straight whiskies are aged at least four years. Any bourbon, or any other domestic or imported whiskey, for that matter, that has been aged less than four years must contain an age statement on the label. Small Batch Bourbons are bourbons that bottled from a small group of specially selected barrels that are blended together. It should be noted though that each distiller has their own interpretation of what constitutes a "small batch." Single Barrel Bourbon is bourbon from one specifically chosen cask.