Bhakta 1868 Barrel 4 Lafayette Bourbon Whiskey & Armagnac
55.3% ABV (110.6 proof, cask strength) | 750mL | Average age 30+ years, 100+ vintages 1868–2014 | Bourbon + vintage Armagnac blend — Bhakta 1868 Barrel 4 "Lafayette" is one of five single barrels in the America250 line honoring America's 250th birthday — a cask-strength marriage of bourbon and Armagnac spanning nearly 150 years of vintages.
The blend is anchored by 1868 Armagnac — the founding vintage of the BHAKTA House of Vintages — and is bourbon-forward: 2005 vintage bourbon (Raj Bhakta's first acquisition under the BHAKTA name, 21 years old) and 2014 MGP bourbon (99% corn / 1% malted barley) make up most of the blend, layered with key Armagnac vintages 1962, 1973, and 1981. Barrel 4's "Legacy Vintage" refinement is a 1904 Armagnac, chosen to honor the Marquis de Lafayette and the French-American alliance. Each bottle is individually numbered — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Tasting notes
Official BHAKTA sell-sheet notes: golden amber. Nose: rich and long-lasting, marmalade and walnut. Palate: candied orange and vanilla with a hint of bitter chocolate. Finish: spicy and soft with a touch of orange bitterness.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 110.6 proof cask strength, single-barrel release — Barrel 4 of 5 in the America250 series
- 100+ vintages from 1868 to 2014 — average age over 30 years, anchored by 1868 Armagnac
- Named for the Marquis de Lafayette with a 1904 Armagnac "Legacy Vintage" tribute; individually numbered bottles
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Cask strength demands a Glencairn and patience — try it neat first, then add water drop by drop to unlock the marmalade and walnut. A pour for milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BHAKTA 1868 America250 series?
A five-barrel line honoring the 250th birthday of the United States — each barrel named for a figure of American lore. Barrel 4 is Lafayette, honoring the French-American alliance.
Is this bourbon or Armagnac?
Both — it's a cask-strength blend of bourbon (2005 and 2014 vintages) and vintage Armagnac (anchored by 1868, with 1962, 1973, 1981, and a 1904 Legacy Vintage).
Why does the proof matter here?
Each of the five barrels is bottled at its own cask strength — Barrel 4 is 110.6 proof. Other barrels differ, so check the label says "Barrel 4 — Lafayette."