Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky
62.8% ABV
$100
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 Single Malt Whisky Peated is a product of many years of research and development with an aim to produce world class whiskies. This whisky is made from the finest imported Scottish peated barley.
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: Gristy smoked barley, kippers with a salted butter, peppered bite
Taste: The delivery is youthful and barely reaching puberty then suddenly an intensely malty ascendancy followed by a healthy dose of drier oaks
Finish: A sublime finale for its sheer delicacy and elegance; the peat no more than oozes, there are cups galaore of sugarless medium roast Mysore and finally, as a bourbony trail is discovered, soft liquorice and molassed sugar – easily the highlight of the experience: one of the best finishes of the year
What Gary Says
Nose: Plenty of peat, some exotic wood, musty incense, and tahini candy.
Palate: Thick, earthy with some dark fruit sweetness, plums, dates, molasses, and some spice underlying; bit of water turns up the sweetness a bit more without losing the thick mouthfeel.
Finish: Short to moderate in length, on the damp side.
Comments: On the nose, this is the non-cask strength version simply turned up. On the palate, the extra proof is bringing more to the party; another great example of why I prefer higher proof drams. For me, the extra proof brings more complexity and depth, even with some water added. The peat isn’t as overwhelming on the palate here (still heavy handed on the nose though). At the price point though, while I like it more it still isn’t something that I’d rush out and buy a bottle of (not without trying first!)