Bhakta 2014 Bourbon 750ML

Bhakta 2014 Bourbon 750ML is a 9-year-old, Armagnac cask-finished bourbon bottled at 52.7% ABV (105.4 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned Double Gold and Best of Bourbon at the 2024 American Distilling Institute Awards, along with 96 points from TAG Global Spirits Awards — recognition that underscores its unusual production pedigree and layered complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 52.7% (105.4 proof)  |  Origin: Indiana / Vermont, USA  |  9 Years Old, Armagnac Cask Finish  |  Distillery: MGP (Lawrenceburg, IN); Finished by Bhakta Spirits (Vermont)

Production & Heritage

The base whiskey was distilled in 2014 at MGP's Lawrenceburg, Indiana facility using a distinctive 99% corn, 1% malted barley mashbill — an unusually corn-heavy recipe even by bourbon standards. After nine years of primary maturation, the bourbon was transferred to French oak barrels that previously held Bhakta's prized 1973 vintage Armagnac from Château Bhakta's historic cellars in Condom, France. This secondary finishing lasted 125 days before the whiskey was bottled at cask strength in Vermont, bridging two of the world's great brown-spirit traditions in a single bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An opening wave of toasted oak and caramel gives way to grassy, herbaceous notes that hint at the Armagnac influence. There is a savory depth beneath the sweetness that grows more complex with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and sweet, led by maple syrup and maraschino cherry before a surge of charred oak and baking spice takes over at the mid-palate. Nutmeg and hazelnut emerge as the proof asserts itself, adding a warm, peppery intensity that balances the sweetness. The 99% corn mashbill keeps an underlying thread of round, buttery grain running throughout.

Finish: Long and layered, closing with oak spice, sweet almond, and a distinct raisin rum cake character that lingers well after the sip. Stewed pear and apple notes surface on the tail end, leaving a fruit-forward echo of the Armagnac casks.

How to Drink Bhakta 2014

At 105.4 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping in a Glencairn or rocks glass; a few drops of water open the herbaceous Armagnac-influenced aromatics without dulling the palate weight. A single large ice cube also works well to tame the proof while preserving body.

Old Fashioned: The maple and charred oak character stands up to bitters and a sugar cube without losing its identity. Vieux Carré: The Armagnac finish slots naturally into this cocktail that already blends American whiskey with French brandy flavors. Manhattan: Maraschino and baking spice notes amplify the classic sweet vermouth pairing beautifully.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates cask-finished or experimental expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Armagnac-finished bourbon against traditional straight bourbon
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses featuring stone fruit or caramel
• Adding a distinctive bottle to a collection focused on unique MGP-sourced releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bhakta 2014 taste like? It leads with maple syrup and maraschino cherry sweetness, transitions into charred oak and nutmeg spice, and finishes with almond and raisin rum cake. The Armagnac cask influence contributes a subtle stewed-fruit and herbaceous quality not found in conventionally aged bourbons.

How does Bhakta 2014 compare to Boone County 1833 10 Year Old Bourbon? Both are premium MGP-sourced bourbons of similar age, but Bhakta 2014 uses a far more corn-forward mashbill (99% corn vs. Boone County's higher rye or wheat content) and undergoes a 125-day Armagnac cask finish that gives it a distinctly French oak and dried-fruit character. The Boone County expression hews closer to a traditional straight bourbon profile without secondary cask influence.

Is Bhakta 2014 good for sipping neat? Yes — its cask-strength bottling at 52.7% ABV delivers full flavor without being overwhelming, and a few drops of water reveal additional herbaceous and fruit complexity from the Armagnac finishing.

Where is Bhakta 2014 made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then shipped to Bhakta Spirits in Vermont where it undergoes its 125-day finishing period in French oak Armagnac casks and is bottled at cask strength.

What foods pair well with Bhakta 2014? Dark chocolate truffles complement the charred oak and almond notes; crème brûlée echoes the caramel and maple sweetness; aged Comté cheese matches the nutty, toasted French oak character; apple tarte tatin mirrors the stewed-fruit finish; and charcuterie with fig jam bridges the savory and dried-fruit elements.

What sizes does Bhakta 2014 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Bhakta 2014 worth the price? Bhakta 2014 positions as a premium expression within the MGP-sourced bourbon market, justified by its nine-year age statement, cask-strength proof, and the uncommon 125-day Armagnac cask finish — a production step that adds genuine complexity and separates it from comparably aged competitors.

Why Bhakta 2014?

The 125-day finish in barrels that held a 1973 Armagnac vintage is not a marketing gimmick — it fundamentally reshapes the bourbon's profile, introducing herbaceous and dried-fruit dimensions that no amount of standard char-barrel aging can replicate. A Double Gold and Best of Bourbon designation from the American Distilling Institute in 2024, plus 96 points from TAG Global Spirits Awards, confirm that the experiment translates into the glass. The near-total corn mashbill provides a creamy, sweet canvas that absorbs the Armagnac influence without fighting it. For drinkers who have explored the MGP bourbon landscape and want something that genuinely departs from it, Bhakta 2014 delivers a compelling, verifiably different experience.