Hogsworth blends Bourbon with Armagnac

American spirits entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta has launched a brand portfolio called Hogsworth, which aims to ‘disrupt the Bourbon category’.

Known for his previous spirits ventures as the founder of Bhakta Spirits and WhistlePig whiskey, Bhakta has introduced a new brand, Hogsworth. The first release in the range, Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9, is a mix of 52% Bourbon and 48% Armagnac with an average age of 9.4 years. More specifically, the blend comprises 42% four-year-and-five-month-old Tennessee Bourbon, 10% four-year-old Minnesota Bourbon, 22% 11-year-old Armagnac, 21% 13-year-old Armagnac and 5% 42-year-old Armagnac. The blend offers aromas of honey, crème brûlée, baking spices and ginger snap on the nose, followed by notes of chai, green apple, black pepper and orange zest on the palate. Now available only online on the brand's website, the inaugural limited edition is sold in three-bottle collections, retailing for US$150 per set. Hogsworth Batch 1 Blend #9 is limited to 1,700 sets in total. Consumers will have the chance to select their collection from three distinct label sets – Modern Farm, Vintage Women, and Historical Pigures – including a series featuring the work of fashion photographer Carter Berg. Bhakta commented: “I created WhistlePig whiskey, sold it, and severed all ties. But I remained fond of pigs. My work felt incomplete – and American whiskey needs a shakeup. "So, I present Hogsworth. It is the finest bottle you’ll find, at even 10 times the price. Taste and see. Hogsworth marries America’s best Bourbons with exquisite Armagnacs from France – some more than 40 years old. Older, richer, more complex. This is what it means to get your Hogsworth.” Bhakta left WhistlePig’s board following accusations from other members. He sold his stake and cut ties with the business in 2019. Earlier this year, Bhakta Spirits released Bhakta 2013 Straight Rye whiskey. In the Luxury Masters 2024, Bhakta Spirits took home five Golds and one Master medal.