Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Cask Strength

Rating: 19/23 That standard Amrut Peated was intensely peaty! I'm curious how this will compare? (My guess: it will be even more peaty) Nose: I detect an intriguing floral cherry note, along with some citrus, a bit of light grain, and a hint of mint. Oh, and I can't forget the peat and smoke – there's a substantial amount. Also notes of tobacco, fruit, chocolate, and something slightly herbal. Palate: This expression doesn't hold back on the peat. It takes the standard Amrut Peated and amplifies the peat! The dominant flavors are peat and a cherry that resembles sour candy. It possesses great flavor and richness, though I find it slightly more challenging to discern the complexity compared to the standard peated version. It handles dilution well; adding one-third water still results in an excellent spirit. In fact, reducing the proof brings out more complexity. It seems to perform best at a slightly higher proof than the standard Amrut Peated, perhaps in the low 50s. This highlights more chocolate and vanilla while preserving the herbal, medicinal quality of the peat and intensifying the smoke. It also reveals a pleasant Clynelish-like waxiness, which I appreciate. It's been a while since I've tasted that profile, and I'm a fan. The tart cherry persists, as does that distinctive Amrut tartness. At full cask strength, it tastes a bit artificial, with a tartness reminiscent of a single grain, but adding water unlocks its life and complexity, giving it a more natural flavor. However, the water does diminish the barrel spice (primarily cinnamon, with some allspice). Finish: The smoke, peat, cinnamon, allspice, chocolate, vanilla, and tart cherry linger for an extended period. This is a very full and rich spirit, so a small amount is sufficient for a prolonged sipping experience. This is an assertive peated spirit that stands up to Islay scotches. Amrut once again demonstrates India's capability in producing exceptional whisky! I'd consider this a significant upgrade from the standard Amrut Peated, although both are very good. Given the price, you can easily dilute this to match the profile of the standard Amrut Peated if that's your preference. Experimenting with different amounts of water is truly enjoyable. It certainly hits you with intensity like an Ardbeg, so be prepared for that. The non-peated Amrut Cask Strength is also a commendable whisky, but this is considerably superior. It offers all the complexity of the non-peated cask strength version, enhanced by the added layers of complexity from the peat. For an additional $10, this is clearly the better choice. I believe this surpasses Amrut Fusion. While not quite reaching the level of Springbank 12 Cask Strength, it's a powerful contender alongside expressions like Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Uigeadail. I find the Ardbegs possess a more mellow, woody peatiness, whereas this has a more intense Kavalan Soloist character. Considering the Ardbegs are more affordable, they likely offer better value, but I must admit I thoroughly enjoy this. The fruity, tropical twist is delicious, refreshing, and highly entertaining. It's likely my favorite Amrut to date, outperforming the Fusion and rivaling the Kadhambam. I'm assigning it a 19 for this tasting.

Nearly all Amrut whiskies I've tried are excellent. However, the last one I had, the standard Amrut peated Single Malt, was unremarkable. A few nights ago, I attended a Cask Strength Whisky Tasting, and one of the samples was the Amrut Peated CASK STRENGTH. I was a bit hesitant because the "milder version" wasn't very good. But, this was actually a very fine whisky, let's discuss it. At 62.8% ABV, it has a tawny color. On the nose, it's nearly perfect. "Lulo" fruit (Naranjilla), fruit salad, strawberry, oranges. Heathery peat, medicinal notes, bananas, chocolate. Very earthy, but mostly tropical. Old oranges; bananas coated in chocolate. After a few sips, it becomes very maritime. Ceviche, passionfruit, and oysters. Bacon is also present. On the palate, it's quite enjoyable, with a sophisticated toffee flavor that shifts to a sulfuric peppery note. Milk chocolate. Oranges. The finish is where the peat truly stands out. Very peaty, grassy, very sulfuric. Spicy: wasabi and ginger. Overall, this is an exceptional whisky, very well-balanced. It can certainly surprise you. My rating is a solid 90 out of 100, and I do recommend it. Notably, in my tasting group, I gave it the lowest score; some people absolutely loved it, even calling it potentially the best dram they'd ever had.

Nose - It has a scent that's hard to describe, like new make malt and an interesting vegetal note. A pleasant baked goods aroma is developing, almost like sweet white bread with some sweet clay undertones. Now that it's opened up, I'm detecting a sweet baked good and alcohol. Taste - Again, alcohol. Then, sweet, sweet malt. It's primarily sweet new make characteristics. Hardly any oak or wood presence. I notice some mint, then just more sweetness, followed by an earthy finish. Adding water reduces the alcohol and perhaps reveals more subtle sweetness, but I'm still mostly thinking pastry/bread with earthy and vegetal notes at the end. It's definitely peated, but not in the way I typically associate with peat. So, I realize this review might not be the most positive regarding the tasting notes. It's not a complicated whisky, but it does what it does reasonably well. The alcohol by volume is intense, and the peat is a bit lacking if you're looking for something extraordinary. My final verdict? It's a basic, unexciting whisky at a fantastic proof, and it's unique. I'd rate this 1.25 stars and wouldn't discourage you from buying it, but I can't recommend it. I should also mention that I believe it was under $80, and for that price, I'm uncertain of my assessment. It's cask strength, so there's value, but it's not particularly good, and there are superior malts available at lower proofs.

At 62.8% ABV, this spirit delivers an immense impact. Without water, a small taste offers a powerful burst of woody, dried fruit, and earthy peat flavors, but it's far too intense, so a significant amount of water is definitely required... at least for me. With a generous addition of water, the aroma becomes a bit more complex while still maintaining its intensity. It reveals more dried fruit, apricot, green apples, orange peel, leather, oak, wood smoke, and a hint of bacon. The taste mirrors the aroma with more dried fruit, salted burnt caramel, allspice, and bitter tannins that persist and dominate the finish, which isn't particularly enjoyable. Even with plenty of water, it still has rough edges, and while it possesses considerable flavor, it lacks the smoothness of more aged distillates. Nevertheless, this is a remarkable achievement for such a young whisky to achieve this level of flavor and depth. The Indian climate undoubtedly plays a significant role. For those who appreciate robust, intense whiskies, this warrants a try if you encounter it.

I was fortunate enough to go to an Amrut tasting event recently with a brand ambassador at a local whiskey bar. I sampled five different Amrut varieties that evening, along with some delicious punch made using their peated single malt. This one was the third best of the five. The aroma is intense with cut grass, vanilla, and heavy peat, bringing to mind Lagavulan. However, it doesn't taste like Lagavulan, which isn't a criticism. After the peat, there was a creamy, vanilla taste, similar to a mix of Laphroig and a Highland malt. Quite fascinating.

AROMA: Features herbal notes, sweet maltiness, sooty peat, dried orchard fruits, candied dates, brown sugar, and some baking spice. This is vibrant, intricate, and powerful – a stark contrast to the standard Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt. PALATE: Presents vanilla, dried white grapes, sooty peat, and dried orchard fruits. It reminds me of Honey Nut Cheerios, with spice, char, and subtle notes of melon rind. Similar to the smell, the taste of the Amrut Peated Cask Strength Indian Single Malt is complex and intriguing, far surpassing the regular version. FINISH: Lingering with sooty peat, banana chips, dried orchard fruits, and baking spice that blend into a chalky/oaky sensation that lasts a very long time.