In the spirits world, numbers play a large role in people’s expectations. From proofs to years aged, people see a number and instantly form an opinion. With Bhakta Spirits, numbers open a conversation to what drinking vintage really means and why it is an exploration that leads to a more fulfilling experience.
The diversity of the spirits world keeps people excited. While drinking trends ebb and flow, one thing separates great bottle from just another liquor. The craft woven into the storytelling is vital.
Bhakta Spirits, founded by Raj Peter Bhakta, sets itself apart from other brands by choosing to make its own path. As other whiskeys focus on finishes, barrel aging, and single malts, Bhakta Spirits focuses on discovering vintages, sourcing barrels, and celebrating Armagnac.
For those unfamiliar with that Armagnac, it is a type of brandy, often considered the oldest brandy to be distilled. Aged in oak barrels, the wine has a distinctive flavor. While some people can taste its connection to cognac, the different distilling methods create a distinction.
Overall, Armagnac has a smooth, enticing flavor that is quite fragrant. Even before that first drop hits the tongue, an expectation is set. This liquor deserves to be contemplated, savored, even cherished.
To clarify, Bhakta Spirits sources rare and vintage barrels. Then, it blends those finds into special releases. Whether it is a 100-year-old spirit or something slightly less aged, the offerings are a celebration of the art of blending.
Through experimentation and experience, finding the perfect calculation is a reflection of art and science. At first blush, the table might look like a chemistry class. Instead, it is finesse within the parameters. Sort of like coloring within the lines but with flare.
While the brand began with Armagnac, it has expanded into whiskey, rum, and brandy. Anything that it chooses to source goes back to the founding principles, celebrating, discovering, and sharing forgotten spirits and abandoned properties. Each one a touch of the past while pushing the boundaries to an exciting future.
That idea of revitalizing abandoned properties extends to the brand’s headquarters in Poultney, Vermont. Bhakta-Griswold is located on the grounds of what was Green Mountain College. As the brand continues to transform the space, it will offer guests an opportunity to step back in time and allow themselves to remove the distractions so that they can focus on a true exploration of what it means to drink vintage.
While many liquor brands invite guests into their distilling process or rickhouses, Bhakta Spirits takes a different approach. Like the spirits that it blends, this experience is part self-discovery and immersive tastings. The old saying about learning from the past to avoid the mistakes of the present might sound cliche. But, there is value in choosing to push aside the distractions and just sit in the moment of contemplation.
Tasting the various Bhakta Spirits offerings can create a better appreciation of the blending concept. Since these specially sourced liquors are different than other more broad-based spirits, it does take a moment to stop and realign the approach. While many will slowly sip it on its own, some offerings work well in cocktails. It allows people to explore, which is the key to this whole experience.
As many whiskey drinkers ponder that big ticket purchase of the limited-edition release, Bhakta Spirits tasting kit or a special offering should be part of the conversation. With these offerings, it is not just one person’s interpretation of a single year in time. Instead, these vintage spirits are an invitation to appreciate the journey from then to now. A barrel that has stood the test of time, nurtured for its precious liquid, encourages people to think about where they have been, how they have focused their journey.
The idea of tasting an 100 year old spirit might have that cache because of its uniqueness, but it is more than just a number that impresses. Enjoying Bhakta Spirits is about embracing an attitude. Old is not dusty, forgotten, or dismissed. It is about discovery, exuberance, and exploration. Ready to open that bottle to the possibilities that are waiting to be poured?