Episode Details

Raj Peter Bhakta, the founder of WhistlePig and now Bhakta Farms, has left the world of rye whiskey and entered into the world of rare Armagnac brandy. Raj just introduced BHAKTA 50, a marriage of Argmanac's he discovered with Vintages from 1868 - 1970. And he's gone a step further and finished it in Islay casks. A complex spirit that is ideal for the curious whiskey lover. Sweet and smoky but not overly so, this finishing process for 50+ year old Armagnac is unlike anything else. Raj had us all on our toes for this episode and we were excited to explore something so rare and unique. And don't miss the teaser for Raj's next big project; his whiskey project, called Empire, a "global whiskey" coming out next year (2021).

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at TheBourbonLens@Gmail.com.

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Cheers, Scott, Michael & JakeThe Bourbon Lens

Links:

• BhaktaBrandy.com
• VinePair - Raj Peter Bhakta and Bhakta Brandy
• Bhakta Farms & Bhakta Spirits
• Bhakta 50 - Barrel 3 Review
• Whiskey Consensus - Bhakta 50 - The Armagnac Secret That Whiskey Drinkers Need to Know About

About:

Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of WhistlePig Whiskey and Bhakta Brandy, has a deep appreciation for rare and exquisite spirits—as well as a knack for bringing them to American attention. His success in rye established the category during a time when the industry overlooked it. Now, with BHAKTA, he is reviving another spirit: ancient Armagnac brandy, bottled stateside in Vermont.

Bhakta is a first generation American. Both of his parents are immigrants. Born in 1975 to a Gujarati father and an Irish mother, he grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended the Hill School in Pottstown, PA before graduating Boston College in 1998. After beginning his career with investment banking firm Violy & Co, Bhakta departed to found Automovia, a valuation tech startup for pre-owned vehicles. He also worked for a time in the family business, leading a condominium development project in Vail, CO.

While in Colorado in 2004, Bhakta scored a role on Trump's nascent reality show The Apprentice, Season 2. His business prowess and theatrical antics helped him navigate, barter, and flirt to the ninth week before being fired by Trump. His charisma with women became fodder for gossip columns like New York Post's Page Six, and his frequent wearing of bow ties was credited with a surge in the accessory's popularity.

In 2006, Bhakta ran for U.S. Congress from Pennsylvania's 13th district. His campaign gained national notoriety due to his television background and playboy reputation. In October, Bhakta protested US-Mexican border weakness by riding an elephant along the Rio Grande with a 6-man mariachi band.