Amrut Indian Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky
61.8% ABV
$80-$90
Website
What the Distiller Says
According to Indian mythology, when the Gods and Rakshasas – the demons – churned the oceans using the mountain Meru, a golden pot sprang out of the oceans containing the “elixir of life”. This was called the “Amrut”. The great founders of our distillery aptly named it Amrut Distilleries.
Amrut Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky is a product of many years of research and development with an aim to produce world class whiskies. This whisky is made from select Indian barley, grown at the foot of the Himalayas, nurtured by the waters flowing there and cultivated by traditional agricultural practices.
It is carefully mashed and distilled in small batches to preserve the natural aromas and matured in oak barrels in unique tropical conditions at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level at Bangalore, the “garden city” of India. To retain the natural characteristics of this oak aged Indian Single Malt Whisky we do not chill filter and it is bottled straight from the barrel in its natural color.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Classic house style with glorious bourbon notes fused with the richest of barley statements; not entirely unlike caramelised biscuit dunked in coffee; oh, and a bit of spicy attitude, too
Taste: There we go with that unique bitter-sweet overture where the oaks and barley appear joined at the hip; lovely soft oils and then a sharp jolt of blood orange citrus, which is removed by something more buttery and delicate
Finish: Long, elegant with the most intricate of fades with the oaks showing various bourbon then buttery characteristics; there is a trace of dark sugar and cocoa to help it along its way
What Gary Says
Nose: Musty, exotic wood, vegetal (celery perhaps?), rubber, worn leather, fresh tobacco, a bit of smoke and toasted orange zest.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, warm, twangy sweet – dark fruits with an exotic citrus note, almost sherry-like – building to a sharp spice with allspice and pepper.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with a drying, musty spice note coasting in smoke.
Comments: I’ll admit that subconsciously, when I see the term “single malt whisky”, my mind (and apparently nose/palate) go to single malt Scotch. To me, the primary theme that came across with this lovely pour was ‘exotic’, which according to Merriam-Webster can mean “strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual”. This absolutely is how this whisky hit me. This is the first Amrut offering I’ve studied carefully, and I really enjoyed it. It brings a sweetness that reminds me a little of a lightly sherried single malt Scotch, but still a bit different. It takes water well, lessening the degree that it sharpens but not knocking the spice out of the picture.