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Hogsworth The 10 Review

Can artificial intelligence revolutionize whiskey marketing while delivering exceptional flavor? Bhakta's H.G. Hogsworth boldly attempts both with surprising results.

OVERALL RATING

8
$105
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Welcome to 2025 where even your whiskey has AI (artificial intelligence). In a curious departure from traditional marketing, Bhakta brands has released H.G. Hogsworth – Hogsworth the 10. A blended spirit of both whiskey and Armagnac. The whiskey itself combines 80% bourbon with 20% single vintage Armagnacs, bottled at 88.8 proof (44.4% ABV). This includes 9% by volume of a 50 year Armagnac.

The digital character represents a departure from conventional spirits marketing. Created by spirits entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of Bhakta Spirits, Hogsworth operates through generative AI, custom voice synthesis and a narrative engine focused on whiskey history.

“Spirits should have spirit, and taste shouldn’t come with a gatekeeper,” states H.W. Hogsworth through his AI platform. “The old guard has had their turn. I’m here to put personality back into the pour.”

The brand positions itself as disrupting what it calls “bourbon boredom” in the whiskey category.
Appearance:
Copper Penny with quick legs
Nose:
This aroma absolutely fills the room it’s delightfully bright and fruity. No doubt the Armagnac influence. I found red apples soaking in oak, with sweet brown sugar. Like an Autumn Pie.
Palate:
Brown sugar sweetness comes out immediately, there is a brandy like complexity of fruits and dark sugars that fill the mouth. There is a light oak and very mild char about the midpalate but doesn’t distract from the sweeter complexities. Just before we enter the finish we find cigar tobacco wrapper.
Finish:
Water mouthfeel with bursts of char and tannic flowers before mellowing into wine and warm spices.
Comments:
This is complex and fun with a robust blend of different spirits. The flavors are overall well mellowed to keep them very enjoyable while approachable. It’s fun to say you’re drinking 50+ year Armagnac, but I can’t say with confidence I can place that flavor over others.

Ultimately this is a fun and inexpensive whiskey. As a treat I took it to my family Thanksgiving and it was quite a hit with bourbon fans and non whiskey fans a like. It certainly plays the part of a higher shelf and might be just the sneaky whiskey you’re looking for.

As for the AI component, I did take the quiz and was deemed Hogworthy.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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