50

We remain in awe of the multitalented. Theobald of Navarre was at once a master diplomat, lutist, and grandfather to Champagne wine. After kindling the Baron’s Crusade on the Pope’s whim, he sang his way to Damascus and breezed through negotiations. He also selected Chardonnay grapes to bring home to France for the first time. These grapes have fed French wine & brandy traditions for generations since… Nose of juicy blood orange, overripened on the grass from the sun's beating rays. Rich palate of hazelnut, vanilla, treacle, and candied prune. A festive cake of fruit and nuts, with a touch of holiday spice. Persistent finish of peat and cinnamon.

Boniface of Montferrat was the 4th Crusade’s clear leader. With Papal permission, his army stormed Constantinople, and all hailed him as the new Byzantine Emperor. Still, powerful Venice held him unworthy. Barred from his throne in Byzantium, Boniface started his own kingdom in Thessaloniki. If you know the Bhakta story, you’ll join us in praising this act. Drink from this barrel and never be vetoed. Meadowy, potent nose, with lilac buds and shoe polish intermingling. A whisky-lover's familiar palate, with peaty punch to char the fruity texture. Spicy, minty finish. A well-smoked cocktail on a summer's eve.

Ulysses S. Grant was a president but not a politician, a general who loathed the pomp of military office, and a bit of a lush. What he lacked in polish he made up for with his military acumen and perceptiveness. He led the Union to victory in the Civil War, and then oversaw reconstruction efforts over a torn country. He is a turbulent and often conflicted hero, but Ulysses S. Grant is a hero nonetheless. Flawed heroes and heroic humanity--we'll drink to that. Bright orange and burnished copper on the nose, with spicy stewed fruit undertones. Strong peaty palate with notes of caramel, toffee, and a cacophonous symphony of stewed fruits. A well-rounded nightcap after a day in the sun.

It is said that Winston Churchill enjoyed a "mouthwash" of whisky each morning. Whatever his daily routine, there is no doubt that Churchill was witty, savvy, and a visionary. He became Britain's Prime Minister in 1940, just after the start of WWII. His tenacity, stirring speeches, and unwavering resolve made him one of the chief architects of Allied victory. The bold flavors of this barrel would convert the British Bulldog himself into an Armagnac enthusiast. A nose of aged leather and smoky cigar lounges melts into a palate of peaty creosote that softens into floral, even spicy notes of mulled fruit and roasted nuts. A persistent finish of peat and nutmeg linger on the palate.

Perhaps no man (or woman) more greatly represents the glamour and complexity of the Gilded Age better than John D. Rockefeller. Born into a poor family in upstate New York, the scrappy Rockefeller saw untapped opportunity in oil refining, founding the Standard Oil Company in 1870. He retired in 1897, a vintage found in this bottle. Indulge in this barrel of BHAKTA 50, and discover the richness within. A nose of aged leather and smoky cigar lounges melts into a palate of peaty creosote that softens into floral, even spicy notes of mulled fruit and roasted nuts. A persistent finish of peat and nutmeg linger on the palate.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, served as France’s first president from 1848-1852. When he consitutionally could not be reelected, he named himself Emporer. As Emporer he oversaw the expansion of France’s overseas domains and the modernization of France’s economy until 1870. The throes of 19th century expansionism are contained within Barrel 19, aptly named Louis-Napoleon. À votre santé! Heady figs, plums, and apricots swirling in concert with smoky peat on the nose. The peppery palate delights the senses with lingering stewed fruits and a long, smoky finish reminiscent of whisky around the campfire.

The very epitome of the Roaring Twenties, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. A tumultuous match that produced some of the best iconography and literature of its age, from This Side of Paradise to the flapper style, which Zelda Fitzgerald is credited for bringing to America. The Fitzgeralds moved to Paris in 1924, found in this barrel. F. Scott began writing his best-known work, The Great Gatsby, that year. You’ll discover all of the glamour and indulgence of the Jazz Age within Barrel No. 20, aptly named Fitzgerald. The very epitome of the Roaring Twenties, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. A tumultuous match that produced some of the best iconography and literature of its age, from This Side of Paradise to the flapper style, which Zelda Fitzgerald is credited for bringing to America. The Fitzgeralds moved to Paris in 1924, found in this barrel. F. Scott began writing his best-known work, The Great Gatsby, that year. You’ll discover all of the glamour and indulgence of the Jazz Age within Barrel No. 20, aptly named Fitzgerald. A floral nose with just the slightest notes of leather gives way to a robust, peaty palate with just a hint of spicy, musky floral notes that will appeal to whisky drinkers.

Born in 1897, Amelia Earhart earned her pilots license in 1921. From there, she smashed records and championed women in aviation, accruing a laundry list of accomplishments and accolades....much like BHAKTA 50. Earhart disappeared in 1937 (a vintage found in this barrel) during a flight around the world. Despite being gone, she is not forgotten. With this barrel we toast to the fearless pioneers who aren’t afraid to be the ones who go first. A nose of overripe figs and hints of vanilla leans into a palate of stewed fruitss with walnuts and piney undergrowth. A sweet and smoky attack softens into a silky texture with remarkable complexity.

General Patton said, “A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.” A decisive (albeit controversal) leader, Patton was integral to the success of D-Day on June 6, 1944. His troops distracted German command, leaving them vulnerable and unprepared on the beaches of Normandy. Patton’s army swept through the breaches, helping to cement a decisive victory for Allied forces. With this barrel we cheers to the unorthodox leaders that make history. An earthy nose of forest floor mixed with orange zest and cloves retains its earthy identity on the palate with notes of piney resin and smoldering campfire. Mellow tannins and peppery notes add complexity to the flavor profile.

John Piermont Morgan’s commitment to the progress and modernization of the American economy led him to dominate the banking sector throughout the Gilded Age. During the Panic of 1893 (you’ll find 1893 in this barrel, minus the panic), when the U.S. Treasury was on the verge of collapse, he masterminded the economic recovery efforts--selling gold from his syndicate directly to the U.S. Treasury in order to shore up the value of paper money. Cheers to legacies built and new avenues forged! Caramelly-nutty-praline notes of a patisserie on the nose, which blends smoothly into a soft palate with hints of orange and salted caramel. A finish of gentle tannins and smooth mineral notes rounds out the profile.

Mahatma is an honorific title meaning “Great-Souled,” and was given to Gandhi for his nonviolent efforts to secure Indian Independence. The Gandhi-Irwin pact signed in 1931 (a vintage found in this barrel) began negotiations with Britain to secure the independence of India. Gandhi is remembered for his unique ability to inspire a largely fragmented country, his intelliegence, and his commitment to nonviolent protest. With this barrel we salute a Great Soul. A delightful nose of white cherry blossoms, orange, and stewed prunes invites a sip that unveils an elegant palate of cigar boxes, dark chocolate, leather armchairs, and toasted nuts. A luxurious repast in an opulant private library.

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh boarded the Spirit of St. Louis, a single-engine monoplane, and took off for the first ever nonstop flight from New York to Paris. During his 33.5 hour odyssey, Lindbergh encountered storms, heavy seas--flying just 10 feet over the ocean at times--and often navigated by dead-reckoning due to a lack of navigational equipment. 1927 is found in this barrel, and with it we toast to the indomitable American spirit. A rich nose of treacle, beeswax, toasted hazelnut, and fall spices. The palate launches with an explosive peaty, peppery attack followed by a full mouthfeel begging to be paired with a cigar. A bitter, walnut-y finish pleasantly rounds out each sip.