Amrut Portonova Single Malt

Aroma: (neat) Very tropical fruit/floral, coconut, pineapple, hints of dark stone fruits, lemon cake (diluted) More prominent tropical vanilla, toasted coconut, less port influence. Palate: (neat) Dark fruity honey, fruity black peppercorns, strong white pepper heat/burn, pomelo, "dark" tasting yet fruity/tropical, pineapple, drying, light fruity bitter like a dark chocolate/coffee covered dark toffee, lightly briny (diluted) more tropical fruity honey, grilled pineapple, floral saffron, sharp citrus/hoppy sweetness. Finish: (neat) Lingering white pepper burn, charred pineapple bittersweet, tropical honey, odd Splenda sweetness (diluted) Less white pepper burn, lingering tropical saffron syrup, fruity honey. Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - When I first opened the bottle, my impression was a great aroma, not so great on the palate, but after having this opened for a few weeks, it's mellowed out a bit. Aroma is still fantastic, both with and without water in that it retains the tropical vibe I get from Amrut. The port influence is more prominent without water and oddly seems to vanish quite quickly with water. On the palate, it's super hot without water, and gives a very tropical/fruity honey vibe which is somewhat tamed with water and makes it more of a lighter/tropical vibe with dark honey undertones. Without water, it burns from the instant it hits your tongue to the finish, a bit of water tames it a bit, but you need to be careful as it's easy to overdo it. I'd suggest a dropper to get it to the level you want as it's easy to add a bit too much, which is what I think I did. Overall a very interesting dram, hard to tell the youth from the heat and the dominating tropical flavors but that's a good thing.

The nose presents as damp cardboard. Fortunately, the palate is considerably sweeter, with abundant fruit (cherry, with some prune and a pleasant pear rounding it out), but also an unpleasant damp cardboard note. It's this combination of enjoyable fruit and unpalatable off-notes. The high alcohol content helps to mellow it and amplify the sweetness. It's a spirit to be sipped, offering nice flavors alongside some significant flaws. The finish thankfully sheds much of the cardboard, tasting more like rich cherry with a slightly unusual undertone. With added water, the damp cardboard becomes much more pronounced, revealing some smoke and moderate spice. Hints of fig and honey are also present. The complexity emerges pleasingly with the water, but it doesn't escape that single peculiar note. If that cardboard could be replaced by some barrel aging, this could be quite exceptional. As it stands, it's a mix of some truly great notes and one profoundly disappointing one. Bits of chocolate do appear, but not in a way that dramatically alters the experience. The orange flavor is a tad strong here, contributing to the cardboard and giving it a very slight alcoholic taste. There is so much that is genuinely good here, making that one unpleasant note truly tragic. Ultimately, I could enjoy sipping this (at least it avoids unpleasant bread flavors) and it surpasses most Irish whiskeys. However, it wouldn't be among my top choices. All things considered, I could eventually overlook that cardboard flavor, and it is otherwise quite good. That richness is a significant advantage, especially with the well-balanced fruit. The intense spiciness does give it the character of a more serious spirit. That peculiar flavor, however, is simply disheartening.

I had the pleasure of attending an Amrut tasting event tonight with one of their brand ambassadors at the Seven Grand whiskey bar in downtown Austin. I sampled five different Amrut expressions throughout the evening, plus some excellent punch made with their peated single malt. Wow, what a whisky! I haven't encountered many port finishes, as they are typically quite expensive, and I'm not a huge fan of wine finishes. However, this one almost reminded me of a sweet red wine blended with bourbon. The nose was truly incredible; I wish my entire home could smell like this. That said, the brand representative mentioned that only 60 bottles were allocated to all of Texas, likely indicating a high price point. I was most fortunate to try this particular one, and it ranked second out of the five I tasted tonight.

Batch 16 From a shoulder pour. Strawberry jam, prunes, green pepper, hot pepper, and a chewable aspirin bitterness. It's unique and wonderful. Thoughts: This bottle is expensive, but the idea of running out is unbearable. The uniqueness and quality of this spirit are astounding. I bought the last bottle on the shelf as a backup. I'm unsure where I can find another, but I'll miss it when it's gone. It represents the peak for me in fruity whiskies. Rating scale: 5.0 - Go buy all the stock you can find. 4.0 - Must buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - Solid, must try at a bar, or mooch from a friend. 2.0 - Didn't like it, you may. 1.0 - You might have the palate of my dog, and he licks his own ass.

Helpful tip - allow this one to air out for a while. Nose - Smells like a dark, damp storage area. Port pipes rest on wood heavily soaked in malt. Dusty oak. Some pleasant spice notes. Taste - The 62+% coats the mouth, with notes of sweet malt, port pipe, aged wood drying, and spices. This is remarkably unique in how the wood spice and drying elements combine with the high alcohol content and proof. The oak notes are entirely distinct, while the sweetness provides figs, dates, raisins, and vanilla. A truly unique and tasty spirit. I've purchased another bottle. The first bottle cost $128, but the newer one was $86. 3.25 - if this aligns with your preferences, it's worth seeking out. Otherwise, you might still appreciate a serving, but it's not something to actively pursue.

This should come with a warning: 'for masochistic enjoyment only, please refrain from other leisure drinking. May also serve as an antiseptic for MRSA and other resilient viruses and bacteria.' My goodness, this delivers a powerful punch! It has a subtle, faint hint of port and sweet bread on the nose. However, the palate is packed with caramel, winterberries, and dark fruits. It's a bit intense for my taste, but I can see how some people would enjoy it. I'm glad I only had a sample; I'm not sure I'd buy a bottle. If I did, I'd feel the need for a complete personal transformation involving tight leather, whips, and chains.