Amrut 2014 Indian Single Malt Special Limited Edition Ex-Bourbon Lightly Peated Cask #1405 ABV 60% 700ml

We fell immediately under the charm of this delicately smoky and peaty Amrut. With incredible depth and elegance, its aroma palette ends out of sight. Every note adds a new colour to an array of shades ranging from peony red to burnt sienna. And then there’s the palate, whose delicate texture and noble expression continue right into the dried extracts found on the empty glass.

Produced almost exclusively from barley grown in the fertile plains at the foot of the Himalayas, in order to retain its natural characteristics at bottling Amrut is still not chill filtered. This whisky is similar to Speyside whiskies, fruity on the palate with hints of spice and chocolate which are typical to ageing in casks previously used for bourbon. Proud of its success, the distillery now offers small batches with a natural alcohol content of over 60% to focus greater attention on the finesse and unique character of this single malt. A Peated version, made with Scottish malted barley, has been available for some years, paying testament to its unique expertise.

Colour : Orangey copper

Nose : Elegant, complex. On the first nose, a very subtle smoke and a no-less delicate peat soar over floral (reseda, peony, carnation), fruity (apricot, orange), honeyed (heather), chocolate and caramelized lands. Exceptional! Allowed to breathe, fragrances of Russian leather, tiger balm and ash bring lots of light to the aroma palette.

Palate : At once lively and delicate. On the attack, a liquorice and salty peat coats the outside of the palate. In its wake it brings malted barley grain, roasted apple and curry. The velvety mid-palate eloquently evokes emery cloth. The end of the palate is characterized by notes of cocoa bean.

Finish : Long, remarkably well-balanced. The medicinal (benzoin resin), musky, spicy (clove), earthy, peaty and animal (smoked meat) start of the finish also reveals various red fruits (raspberry, strawberry) and black fruits (bramble, blackcurrant). The floral (lavender, lilac) retro-nasal olfaction is also oily(olive, linen) praline (gianduja) and nobly woody (oak stave). The empty glass releases smoke rings from a precious Havana cigar and straw aromas.