Style: Blended rum finished in Armagnac casks
Age: 26 years
Proof: 124 (62% ABV)
Region: Distilled in Jamaica, finished in Vermont
The name Bhakta might sound familiar to you. Raj Peter Bhakta is the charismatic and controversial founder of the premium rye whiskey brand WhistlePig. After parting with that brand, he founded a new, eponymous premium spirits brand focused on Armagnac French brandy.
The Bhakta 1990 Rum is the brand’s first foray into premium sugarcane-based spirits. This rum is a blend of 25 Year Jamaican column still rum distilled by Clarendon/Monymusk in 1985 with 23 Year Jamaican pot still rum from Appleton Estate that was distilled in 1990. This blend was married in 2014 and rested in ex-bourbon casks until it was given the Bhakta Spirits signature Armagnac barrel finish.
One may think the complex barrel aging process of this rum might erase any of the qualities that make Jamaican rum so desirable. Will the Caribbean heritage of this rum persist? Find out below.
Tasting notes
The Bhakta 1990 rum is the color of rich amber tinged with copper. On the nose, the rum is reminiscent of bruleed bananas dusted with cinnamon. Sweet notes of caramel and brown sugar meld with banana and clove creating an inviting, dessert-like bouquet. At 124 proof, the rum is a bit intense upon the first sip, with notes of allspice, nutmeg, and orange zest. After that first burst, the palate softens with sweet fruity notes, like banana, seared pineapple, and mango. The finish is satisfyingly long and viscous with notes of mango juice and vanilla.
Final thoughts
Compared to other categories, rum doesn’t quite have the same reputation as a premium spirit as Scotch or Cognac. The Bhakta 1990 Rum should be able to prove to any doubters that top-shelf rum deserves a seat at the table. It’s approachable, complex, and balanced — everything you could want from a sipping rum. And make no mistake, despite being heavily aged and finished, this is unquestionably a rum. The 26 years on oak and the Armagnac finish don’t do much to overpower the fruity, fragrant pot and column-distilled Jamaican rum in this blend.
