Nearly three years have passed since Amrut last featured on More Drams, and during this period, the pioneering Indian distillery has consistently impressed whisky enthusiasts worldwide with its inventive releases. For this review, three bottles from Amrut’s diverse range are in focus: Kurinji, Triparva, and Rye. Triparva, making a return to the spotlight, already received praise on these pages for its first batch, and this time the third batch undergoes scrutiny. Kurinji and Rye add further breadth to the tasting lineup, each bringing distinct qualities that highlight the ongoing innovation at Amrut.
Amrut Kurinji Review
Amrut Kurinji is an Indian single malt whisky released in the end of 2022 as part of the ’Single Malts of India’ series. It seems, trusting Amrut’s own website, that this is a whisky sourced from a Kurinji region (meaning a mountainous region to extremely summarise), selected by Amrut, and bottled at 46% ABV. No mention is made regarding colouring nor chill filtration. This is the second release in the ’Single Malts of India’ series. This whisky is still available in Europe from €87 and in the UK, for a more expensive price, closed to £100.
Colour:
Amber
Nose:
Neat: The nose reveals pears and red apples combined with soot and dust balls. Honey notes emerge alongside mineral hints reminiscent of limestone or sandstone. The American oak contributes vanilla and a subtle coconut husk character.
Palate:
Neat: The palate shows a balance of spiciness, tartness, and mild fruitiness. Fizzy spices mingle with lemon and grapefruit, underscored by underripe pears, green apples, and melon. Bitter wood and spent tea leaves add a grassy layer.
Finish:
The finish is warm, bringing apricot and pear notes along with mint, dried herbs, and lemon. A slight astringency lingers on the gums, giving a medium-length conclusion.
Comments:
The nose offers a pleasant introduction, and the palate begins well. However, bitterness develops and, after some time, becomes somewhat intense for this humble taster’s preference. While enjoyment of bitter and tart flavours exists, this expression feels slightly unbalanced. Fortunately, the bitterness dissipates before the finish, which remains inviting and encourages another sip.
Rating: 6/10
Amrut Triparva Batch 3 (2022) Review
Amrut Triparva Batch 3 is a triple-distilled Indian single malt whisky bottled at 50% ABV. Bottled in September 2022 with an outturn of 5,400 bottles, it is bottled at 50% ABV, without chill filtration nor colouring, as its predecessor we reviewed in 2021. This is still available, at least in Europe, at about €120.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: The nose releases aromas of tropical fruit with a distinctive earthy edge. Overripe bananas and mangoes come forward, accompanied by unusual notes reminiscent of sweaty socks and meaty tones. Despite the funkiness, the combination remains balanced. American oak and vanilla add warmth, alongside salted peanuts and walnut oil.
With water: The dirty character persists, while tropical fruit notes soften and become more subdued. Subtle hints of wood and pine cones emerge.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with woody bitterness before tropical fruit notes of passion fruit and oranges briefly appear. The woody bitterness returns, with mint, liquorice root, pepper, wasabi, and pencil shavings adding complexity.
With water: The woodiness remains dominant but the maracuja and blood orange shine more brightly than when neat. The palate retains significant oak influence.
Finish:
The finish revisits passion fruit, while woody bitterness and spice linger, allowing tropical fruit and pine cone notes to take greater prominence. The finish is medium in length.
Comments:
The third batch appears to have a stronger influence of wood and bitterness compared to the first, which allows less room for the tropical fruit notes to shine. While still a good dram, preference leans towards Batch 1 for its better balance between fruitiness and oak influence.
Rating: 6.5/10
Amrut Rye Batch 1 (2023) Review
Amrut Rye Batch 1 is the distillery’s first Indian single malt rye whisky, crafted exclusively from 100% European rye and matured for five years in new American oak barrels. Bottled at 50% ABV and released in September 2023, this release has an outturn of approximately 1,000 bottles, filled at 50%, without chill filtration nor added colour. Even though this is marketed as Batch 1, there were two earlier batches of another Amrut Rye around 2016. This 2023 release is still available for less than €100 in the Netherlands, or way, way more at La Maison du Whisky.
Colour:
Chestnut.
Nose:
Neat: The nose reveals a slightly more tropical character than the Triparva tasted earlier, with a less pronounced wood influence than expected for a malted rye matured in new American oak barrels. The rye shows a creamy quality, reminiscent of rye-based porridge, alongside subtle lavender notes, though far less intense than the heavily peated Bowmore’s familiar medicinal scents.
With water: Wood becomes more prominent, while fruitiness diminishes, replaced by dusty rye grain aromas.
Palate:
Neat: Woodiness is more apparent than on the nose, balanced by tropical fruit flavours such as passion fruit, kumquat, and grapefruit. The wood influence feels lighter than on Triparva, suggesting a possibly shorter maturation. Additional notes include dried lavender, pepper, and vanilla pudding.
With water: Kumquat intensifies while passion fruit retreats slightly. Woodiness increases modestly but remains controlled, accompanied by hints of coconut husk, coffee bitterness, and astringency.
Finish:
The finish is long and warming, with wood spices, kumquat, and liquorice root. Astringency is noticeable, creating a prolonged dryness on the gums.
Comments:
The rye whisky delivers a distinctive character compared to malted ryes from other regions. The new American oak maturation softens the rye influence without imparting excessive vanilla or coconut notes. The result is a refined rye expression with a balanced oak influence. Were the price more accessible, it might be an appealing purchase.