Amrut Spectrum

These impressions are from recollection. I purchased a bottle about eight months ago based on a colleague's suggestion. I believe it's no longer available. Regarding the tasting notes: I truly wish I could have witnessed the creative process at Amrut's lab. I'm quite certain those individuals first inhale something mind-altering and then conceive these ideas. Their Intermediate Sherry started like a bourbon, then went to sherry, back to bourbon, all while being shipped between Spain and Bangalore. Another one they produced was sent to mature on a small island in northern Germany. And now this. I can picture a guy in the Amrut lab, under the influence of mind-altering substances, saying, "Dude, what if we take pieces from six different kinds of wood, glue them together, and age our spirit in that?" And that's how Spectrum, or as I call it, Bat S**t Crazy Experiment #4, came to be. Putting that aside, this is a very solid drink. I recall the aroma was incredibly varied, ranging from red wine to candy apples. The taste was thick and sweet, with walnuts, pecans, roasted marshmallows, and a touch of sea salt (which is strange, as Bangalore is nowhere near the coast!!). The finish is long and persistent with Christmas spices and cardamom. Thinking about it now, all of Amrut's spirits have that cardamom finish. I'll have to look them up on Google Maps; I'm sure there's a cardamom plantation near their distillery. I'm eager to try their next experiment. In fact, they should start a competition for the most innovative idea, and the winner's name could be given to the next whiskey. I'd enter if they provided the mind-altering smoking materials.

Review of a sample. This appears to be the most recent launch, though the specific bottling is unclear. Nevertheless, let's proceed. Nose: Immediately, a distinctive, earthy, and savory malt aroma is present. This is followed by an intense wave of various wines and sweet notes. Notes of burnt cocoa, cinnamon, cherries, raspberries, dates, figs, autumnal scents reminiscent of home goods stores, pastry dough, milk chocolate, and a touch of alcohol are detected. Taste: The flavor profile is less impactful than the aroma. It lacks the richness and fullness of the nose. While still presenting a burst of concentrated fruit preserves, it leans more towards vanilla and some spice from the malt, accompanied by a hint of that deep, burnt chocolate. This is followed by a pleasant, extended finish. Overall, a very commendable whisky, though it falls slightly short of heightened expectations. 3.25

Aatma Cask 873. Excellent, with flavors from each cask component evident: vanilla and coconut from the American oak, cinnamon and nuts from the French oak, raisins, spices, and dried fruit from the Spanish oak and sherry casks, plus hints of smoke, curry, and cardamom. Nose: Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Coconuts, Makuna Honey, Hazelnuts, Figs, Apricots, Raspberries, Bananas, Toffee, Vanilla, Gingerbread, Plum Cakes, Christmas Cakes Palate: Raisins, Smoke, Figs, Pineapples, Apricots, Honey, Raspberries, Date Syrup, Marzipan, Peaches Finish: Apricots, Bananas, Raspberries, Smoke, Coconut Curry, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Marzipan, Rose Petals, Peaches

Even better than spectrum 004 because it's more complex and less bitter. Smell: Raisins, Dates, Figs, Almonds, Hazlenuts, Milk Chocolate, Honey, Toffee, Pineapples, Oranges, Pecans, Walnuts, Prunes, Nutmeg, Raspberry Jelly Beans, Espresso, Banana Bread, Cardamom, Passion Fruit Taste: Dates, Raisins, Milk Chocolate, Raspberries, Toffee, Honey, Cinnamon, Hazlenuts, Nutmeg, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Mocha, Tobacco, Chili Peppers, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Aftertaste: Figs, Raisins, Prunes, Luxardo Cherries, Dates, Strawberries, Almonds, Raspberries, Apricots, Peaches, Mulled Wine, Cranberries, Mocha

A fascinating dram that requires some time to reveal itself. The nose isn't the most appealing, but the palate is outstanding.