Neidhal Peated Indian Single Malt (Single Malts of India)

These tasting notes are from a blind tasting (Flaviar Advent Calendar). The aroma is fantastic. Light peat, brine/salt, barley sugar, vanilla, and campfire smoke. The flavor – a burst of peat smoke, salt, sweet barley, and vanilla. Amazing – this is truly excellent. A little water reveals some oak, black pepper, cinnamon, and clove. The finish is long, with peat smoke, vanilla, and clove spice carrying through. This is my favorite from the advent calendar so far. I would happily keep this on my shelf anytime. It offers plenty of flavor and complexity. Overall Grade: B+ (Very Good)

An elegant, peated Indian Single Malt Whisky from a coastal Indian distillery by Amrut Distillerin in Kambipura, India, with 12,000 bottles produced at 46% ABV. It begins aromatically with hints of tropical fruits, vanilla, gentle phenols, and sea spray. The rich middle section offers notes of fruit cocktail and a touch of iodine. It concludes with a balanced, medium-length finish showing notes of medicine and peat smoke. December 2022

Intense peat aroma, with smoky vanilla and a hint of salt. There's also an odd medicinal or antiseptic scent, which is off-putting. Despite the smell, it's surprisingly smooth, with rich vanilla and heavy smoke. The peatiness is comparable to a single malt, with a slight bite towards the end of the palate.

Most reviewers didn't anticipate a peated spirit. It's a shame they're criticizing it because it's genuinely quite good. It could easily pass for Scotch. The peat is immediate, accompanied by some pineapple and a slightly medicinal character. It bears a resemblance to Ardbeg.

Compared to the Indri single malt and Jal Canadian-style Indian whisky, this was the peatiest of the three, while the Jal was very sweet. It worked well in an Old Fashioned, with the orange peel enhancing some more interesting notes. Not outstanding, but reasonably balanced and a good choice for mixing.

Part of the Flavian tasting calendar. This was the first bourbon I tried and subsequently poured out. I found it lacked any positive qualities, with a chemical-like aroma featuring subtle fruit undertones and a rather salty, sharp taste. Life is too short for bad whiskey.