Bhakta 1928 - Review

The Details

Bhakta 1928

Blended Straight Rye Whiskey, Calvados and Armagnac

Blended & Bottled by Balthazar Rex

Shoreham, Vermont

50% Alc/Vol / 100 Proof

Mashbill: Various - Blended (60% Straight Rye Whiskey, 30% Calvados, 10% Armagnac)

Fortified with Ancient French Spirits from 1973, 1962, 1941 and 1928

Price: $100

Poured Neat in a Copita Nosing Glass

Appearance: Amber

Nose: Dark Fruits including Plum and Fig, Honey, Sprig of Mint

Palate: Spiced Creme Brulee, Bread Pudding, Raisins, Dark Berry Jam

Finish: Warm, Lingering and Viscous with Baking Spices

Overall: It doesn't get much more 20's than this bottle. Yes, I'm talking about the Roaring 1920's. There's a great reasoning behind this design that showcases not just another blend, but some ancient French spirits. The oldest vintage is over 95 years old, 5% of the blend is over 50 years old and 30% of the blend is over 30 years old. Did you catch all that? Oh, did I mention Armagnac from 1928? Yes, please!

The marriage of this blend is beautiful and impressive. I found myself sitting back and dissecting this more with every sip. At the end of the day, it's hard not to appreciate the age of some of the spirits involved here. Literally sipping history. Obviously, with the components mentioned, I immediately picked up those dark fruit tones and such a great coating. The 100 Proof is really a sweet-spot to me and this works very well. All I need now is a light bodied cigar from the humidor to keep the mood just right!

Thank you to the team at Bhakta Spirits for allowing me to try this delicious release and provide my unbiased feedback.

If you are interested in this particular release from Bhakta Spirits, click HERE - The release currently includes a pair of Bhakta Spirits Glencairns while supplies last.

Library Rating: 8.8 / 10

Ratings & Awards:

2023 Beverage Tasting Institute Platinum - 96 Points

2023 USA Spirits Ratings - 94 Points

15 Stars 10 Year Blended Straight Bourbon Sherry Cask Finished - Review

The Details

15 Stars

A Select Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

Sherry Cask Finished

Aged 10 Years (Blend of 13 Year and 10 Year)

Bottle 1924

Distilled in Kentucky and Indiana

Non Chill Filtered (NCF)

Bottled by 15 Stars in Bardstown, Kentucky

57.5% Alc/Vol / 115 Proof

Mashbill: Various - Blended

Price: $180

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Mahogany

Nose: Milk Chocolate, Cherry, Burnt Butter, Flakey Pastry

Palate: Cherry Pie, Cocoa, Buttered Croissant, Baking Spices, Slight Tobacco, Pistachios

Finish: Warm, Long and Viscous with a Cherry Chocolate Spice

Overall: Let me start by saying this might already be in my top-5 for bourbon this year. After sipping and sipping on two consecutive days, I finally pinpointed the flavor I was searching out: Spumoni Ice Cream! When I ordered Spumoni in Italy, it was served with a small flakey pastry as a compliment. Well, wouldn't you believe it, that was the first memory sparked by this pour. 🤌🏽

The levels of flavor and complexity dance around the palate like the Italian Tarantella. But beware, because of these incredible flavors, you may not realize this is a 115 Proof offering. I tried my hardest to let this sit in my Glen for 5 to 10 minutes prior to sipping, but it was a lost cause once those cherry and chocolate notes started to fill the Library. A beautiful all-around pour that I can't wait to share with Bourbon and Wine enthusiasts alike.

Thank you once again to the great folks at 15 Stars for providing this sample with no strings attached. The mail-calls have been quite impressive and I'm completely humbled.

If you are interested in this particular release out of 15 Stars, click HERE - Available at 3pm ET Tuesday 9.26.23

Library Rating: 8.9 / 10

Highline Spirits - Straight Whiskey, Triple Rye and American Whiskey - Review

The Details

Highline Spirits

Straight Kentucky Whiskey

Aged 8 Years

Distilled in Kentucky

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

100 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Higher Malt Barley Content

Price: $50

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Gold

Nose: Subtle Cocoa, Light Fruits, Sweet Cream, Corn Flakes

Palate: Vanilla, Caramel, Cream

Finish: Lengthy, Sweet and Velvety

Library Rating: 7.7 / 10

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The Details

Highline Spirits

Triple Rye

Aged 5, 5.5 and 10 Years

Blended

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

97 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Blended

Price: $80

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Light Amber

Nose: Mint, Cream, Vanilla

Palate: Creamy, Chocolate, Slight Mint, Slight Dill, Sweet Spice

Finish: Easy Medium Linger with a nice Viscosity

Library Rating: 7.6 / 10

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The Details

Highline Spirits

American Whiskey

Aged 5, 6, 7 and 8 Years

Blended Bourbon & Wheat Whiskey

Finished in New American, Hungarian and French Toasted Oak

Highline Spirits - Dexter, Michigan

112 Proof

Mashbill: Undisclosed - Blended

Price: $140

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Light Amber

Nose: Toasted Almonds, Walnuts, Vanilla, Caramel and Nutmeg

Palate: Creamy Vanillas and Caramels, Touch of Honey, Sweet Cream and Nutmeg

Finish: Warm, Lingering and delighfully Viscous

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10

Overall: Let me just put this out there, there's far more whiskey blending going on in this country than most realize. It's an art and a true craft. I've had the honor of trying and reviewing many new brands throughout the past few years and I'm grateful for that honor. I am quite impressed with what's going on here at Highline Spirits out of Michigan. Higher age-statements and superb blending creates some flavorful and well rounded whiskies. While all three were delicious, the American Whiskey was my clear-cut winner of the trio. Some incredible complexity and flavors dancing around the palate from start to finish. Unfortunately, The Bourbon sample leaked in transit so I was unable to give it a review.

I strongly recommend checking out what's happening at Highline Spirits. As Founder, Christi Lower says, "Every bottle we craft is a labor of love..." and it most certainly shows.

Thank you, Christi and team for sending these to The Library for a chance to try. I appreciate the opportunity and the dedication and passion to the craft! Cheers ~Anthony