Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$475.00 $385.00
Armagnac is the oldest French spirit – a product that has ancient distilling traditions that date all the way back to Medieval times. It may be considered an ‘old spirit’ but nowadays, the #1 Spirit in the world according to Paul Pacult and his 2023 Ultimate Spirits Challenge is once again an Armagnac. This time its the 1973 Armagnac from Raj Bhakta. Thousands of spirits were rated in the challenge, but the Bhakta 1973 was the ‘Best in Show’
Bhakta is the luxury spirit brand started by the former co-founder of Whistle Pig, Raj Bhakta. It’s the sole owner and steward of the oldest collection of vintage spirits on earth, with library releases that date back to 1868.
BHAKTA 1973 Armagnac is a “Golden Anniversary” expression considered among the house’s finest 20th century vintages. ’73 was condered a landmark vintage, and is now more than 50 years past the release. It may be an expensive bottling, but considering it has the #1 title for the year and can be had at a fraction of the cost of other 50 year-old Cognacs and Scotches that don’t even begin to compare.
This one was distilled in 1973 from the grapes Ugni Blanc and Baco and harvested in the region of Armagnac. It was aged 50 years and bottled at 107.8 Proof. It’s utterly magnificent and incredibly rare. I only have a few bottles to go round.
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99 Points (Best in Show), 2023 Ultimate Spirits Competition
“Rich layers of spiced fruit aromas reveal themselves in waves; cinnamon baked plums, caramelized apple tart, and floral undertones. Concentrated flavors of mixed baking spices, peach skin, fresh tobacco, and brown sugar are luscious and ever evolving through the suede texture. A pleasure to sip.”
Bulleit isn’t usually one to come out with too many new or limited releases, but the ‘Frontier’ Limited Release bucks that trend. This American Single Malt was made with 100% malted barley, aged in new American spiced oak casks, and bottled at 43% alcohol. It hits with notes of freshly baked pumpernickel bread, candied orange, dried fruits, and maple syrup. She’s a beauty – just wish I had more to sell!
Our third single barrel of Whistle Pig and the first time we have our hands on their 6-year PiggyBack bottling. This one leads with a nose of freshly baked pumpernickel bread, butterscotch and toffee. On the palate, I get a lot of citrus & peach with a touch of lavender & black cherry. The finish here is strong & long with spicy dried fruits and caramel notes that linger. This one was distilled in house in Vermont, and as anyone can tell you with the farm releases, they always deliver the best of punches. This one comes in at 109.8 Proof.
I was given fourteen samples to taste through, and found that the 5th sample was the winner. This one is not for the faint of heart. It was a tiny barrel of just 40 six-packs, but the quality here was out of the world. It checks in at 110 Proof (55% alc.) and has harmonious sweet and savory notes that dual throughout this super long and memorable finish. It’s worth selling less bottles to bring you one this good – you guys are going to absolutely love it.
The third release of three batches from Booker’s Bourbon 2023 Collection is Booker’s Batch 2023-03 ‘Might Fine Batch.’ These mini-releases have become extremely popular, and for good reason. “The vanilla and brown sugar sweet notes come through very well from the white oak barrels this bourbon aged in for over seven years. The taste is great and full bodied; when I added a splash of water, it opened up some great flavors, with a finish that gives a lovely “Kentucky Hug. My Dad would say that this is a Mighty Fine batch of Booker’s.” -Fred Noe