Paul John Whisky recently introduces its exclusive partnership with Avolta Duty Free to unveil an exclusive Single Cask release for global travelers at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. This expression will be available at the T2 Duty Free of the airport from 30th May. The cask is dedicated to the city of Bengaluru with packaging designed to capture the glorious spring blossoms of this famous Garden City.
The manufacturer has released only 228 bottles with a non-age statement (NAS), single-cask release is priced at $300 per bottle.
Made in Goa, India, the single-cask Unpeated Madeira focuses on the aromas of delightful Christmas cake, dry plum, and Manuka honey laced with a orange zest lead to a blend of rich flavours, from sweet vanilla and dark chocolate to a subtle tinge of dry resin, culminating in a bold and gratifyingly oaky finish.
“We are honoured to launch our first exclusive single cask global travel release at Bengaluru International Airport Duty Free with our partners Avolta, and to offer an elevated and unique whisky experience to travelers,” said Paul P. John, Chairman, John Distilleries Pvt Ltd.
Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky is set to launch a uniquely fruity and floral whisky – its first ever finished in French Calvados casks. Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish is the fifth release in the Distillery’s Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts, which explores the flavours that arise from different cask finishes. Entwining scents of jasmine with baked apples and pears, this rare 12-year-old bottling offers new mellow depths to Glenmorangie’s signature fruity tones.
For 180 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky makers have been endlessly imaginative on their quest to create delicious single malt whiskies for more people to enjoy. Led by acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, they craft their delicate, fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow more space for taste and aroma, then age it in the world’s finest casks. Some time ago, Dr Bill became fascinated by the soft, orchard notes of Calvados, which is distilled from apples (and sometimes pears) in France. And he began to wonder how these casks – never used before at Glenmorangie – might further enhance the whisky’s classic, fruity finesse.
Inspired to experiment, he took a whisky which had spent more than 10 years ageing in American white oak bourbon casks, for Glenmorangie’s elegant style. He transferred that whisky into casks which, for 20 years, had held Calvados du Pays d’Auge, from Normandy, in France. After a carefully judged finish, Dr Bill’s creation was ready to share. Soft and delectably rich, Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish unites mellow fruits of baked apples and pears with subtle notes of jasmine, narcissus and vanilla.
Dr Bill said, “At Glenmorangie, we are always experimenting with ways to create delicious whiskies. Since Calvados casks have never been used before at Glenmorangie, I was intrigued to see how their elegant, orchard notes would complement our whisky’s award-winning fruity style, with a judicious finish. Glenmorangie Calvados Finish is a wonderful addition to our Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts. Entwining scents of baked pears, vanilla and jasmine with tastes of toffee apples, lemon balsam and spice, this rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie, to richly delicious new heights.”
From Indian whisky connoisseurs to collectors, this limited-edition malt is sure to garner many eyeballs. Glenmorangie Calvados is currently available in Mumbai priced at ₹7,050.
400 Bottles only, Grab it at Hyderabad Airport Duty-Free
Rampur Signature Reserve Single Malt Whisky made history of its own when it the limited release of 400 bottles only sold for Rs. 5 lakhs per bottle. What’s even more surprising is that of the 400 bottles release, only two remain, which can be bought at the Hyderabad Airport Duty Free. The spirit comes from the distillery which produces the oldest single malt in the country.
In commemoration of Rampur Distillery’s 75th anniversary, Radico Khaitan introduced a super luxury variant of Rampur Indian single malt whisky to the international market. The Rampur Signature Reserve Single Malt is aged in American Standard Oak Barrels with handpicked four distinct casks by the master blender, which are then transferred to specially chosen PX Sherry Butts from Jerez, Spain, for the final maturation phase. Radico feels that it is this dedication to precision and excellence sets Rampur Signature Reserve apart as an exceptional expression of Indian whisky artistry.
Each bottle in this limited-edition collection is individually numbered and carries the signatures of Dr. Lalit Khaitan, Chairman, and the Rampur Master Maker, adding a personal touch to its exclusivity.
But if you aren’t able to grab a bottle of this ultra-exclusive offering, then fear not, the Rampur’s Indian Single Malt Whisky collection offers a diverse price range to suit every enthusiast. Beginning with the Rampur Select at Rs 14,000 per bottle in 2016, it includes the now sold-out PX Sherry variant at Rs 12,000 per bottle and the approachable Rampur Double Caskat Rs 8,500 per bottle in 2018. Leading the range is the prestigious Signature Reserve priced at Rs 5,00,000 per bottle, launched in 2018. Accompanying it is the Rampur Asava priced at Rs 10,000 per bottle since 2019.
Travel Retail exclusive, Rampur Trigun at Rs 17,000 per bottle and the Rampur Jugalbandhi series starting at Rs 40,000 per bottle.
Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan, expressed his excitement about this milestone, stating, “We are thrilled to announce that the last two bottles of Rampur Signature Reserve, out of the 400 bottles produced, are available exclusively at Hyderabad duty-free. This represents not just a whisky, but a legacy of Indian craftsmanship and heritage, inviting enthusiasts, collectors, and travellers to experience the unmatched quality of Radico Khaitan’s offerings.”
In addition to the Rampur Signature Reserve, other spirits like the Rampur Asava Indian Single Malt Whisky, the rich and complex Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky, the acclaimed Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin and Gold edition, and the regal Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection Whisky are also available at Hyderabad duty-free.
Whisky is a tribute to the valour displayed by our Armed Forces during pivotal moments in history; company’s commits to contribute part of the revenue from every bottle to the welfare fund of the Indian Armed Forces.
Radico Khaitan Ltd. uncorked the Spirit of Victory, beginning with the Premium XXX Rum in 2017. In 2022 the Lemon Dash Rum was added to the flavoured white rum portfolio. Following these launches in the Rum category, the company has launched its latest Spirit of Victory 1999 Pure Malt Whisky.
Amar Sinha, COO, Radico Khaitan Ltd.
The Spirit of Victory whisky is a tribute to the valour displayed by our Armed Forces during pivotal moments in history. This special collection pays homage to the bravery and sacrifices made by our soldiers in the 1965, 1971, and the poignant Kargil War of 1999. What makes this launch special is the company’s commitment to contributing a part of the revenue from every bottle sold to the welfare fund of the Indian Armed Forces. At the helm of this spirited journey is Amar Sinha, the Chief Operating Officer of Radico Khaitan, steering the company beyond being a beverage provider.
The Spirit of Victory 1999 Pure Malt Whisky involves blending different single malts, sourced globally, and expertly mixed with Radico’s Indian single malt to create a drink that is not only outstanding, but carries deep meaning. The story of the such an endevour begins in 2017 with the launch of the 1965 Spirit of Victory Premium XXX Rum.
By 2022-23, it achieved a significant milestone by selling over 1 million cases, receiving Gold Quality Awards for six consecutive years (2018-2023) at the Global Monde Selection Awards. The Spirit of Victory Lemon Dash Rum, introduced in 2022, expanded the line, entering the flavoured white rum territory. Both variants have become favourites, marking the 7th brand of the company to achieve the million- case club in March 2023.
The company is looking at reaching into the hearts and minds of consumers. From the ‘1971 War Chronicles’ animated series to the ‘Battlefield Dossier’ series on the “Spirit of Victory” YouTube channel, these efforts aim to educate the younger generation about patriotism and preserve the inspiring stories of our armed forces.
With the alcohol industry leaning towards premiumisation, the success of the 1965 Spirit of Victory Rum positions Radico Khaitan at the forefront of the premium category, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the industry.
Indri Single Malt comes from the house of Piccadilly Distilleries who also jointly brought us the Kamet Whisky. But Indri is now independently brought to you from the house of piccadilly and what makes this single malt special is that recently it won the top honours catapulting its demand amongst the favourites for consumers. So let’s taste and see how it is and if you like viewing video review then click above and enjoy watching the experience instead of reading it.
The price of this whisky is Rs. 5,100 in Maharashtra and it is much cheaper in some of the other States like Haryana, Goa, UP, Delhi and Bangalore at Rs. 3,100.
What’s in the Name?
Now you might be thinking what’s in this name Indri? It is very unique and different from what we have seen? So the name of the malt is based on Indriya, which are the five golden senses of our body like the smell, taste, touch, sight and sound and also on the name of the distillery based in Indri, Haryana.
Now there is another important thing about this malt, which is the word Trini – which denotes the word three, meaning 3 woods that have been used to mature this malt. Now what’s interesting is that the Kamet whisky was also matured using the same woods. These include ex- bourbon, ex-wine, and PX sherry casks and as we know these add a unique flavour to that blend. And like Kamet this also comes from Piccadily’s Distillery based in Kurukshetra. Indri has been developed by two people, a Master Blender, Surrinder Kumar and a Master Distiller, Graeme Bowie, who was also one of our judges at the Ambrosia Awards this year. They both come from a rich experience and combined they have the capability of blowing your senses away.
Now this malt is made from six-row barley and then distilled in an onion head pot still and then maturing it in 3 casks that adds a unique flavour to the blend.
Packaging
But before we taste it let’s take a look at the packaging and at first look although this is a 750ml bottle it really looks tall and makes you feel like a 1 ltr bottle. The colours are nice soothing beige with a slight gold on the outside with the words Product of India beaming loud and clear. You do have the signature of the blenders as well alongwith all the necessary info.
On the inside it is you have the label and also the packaging material and colour that looks familiar like the Kamet whisky. What we liked is also that there is a QR code that takes you to the dedicated Indri Page. I wish more manufacturers would do this so that the consumer can get more info on the product.
Nosing
Now let’s get to the nosing and at the first instance you get a little bit of those spices, some sweet notes, surely some wood as well. The spirit does seem refined and also doesn’t really hit you hard, which is always a good thing.
Tasting
The spirit does feel really smooth and relaxed. There is a hint of that nutty, caramelly flavour with a little spice. You do get sweet savoury fruit as well which is nice and balanced. Not something that is over powering or over bearing.
Kamet Whisky Tasting
Since we also tasted Kamet Whisky recently, we did a quick taste of that as well to see the difference honestly. Now you do get a nice flavour profile and also those notes of the sweetness, spiciness.
Conclusion
Indri is nice and you can get the sense of the consistency as well from these, which means that there is a method that has been followed while making these malts. And finally what do we think about Indri? It is really good. It is balanced, nice, smooth and also consistent in delivering the taste it does, which naturally explains why it won the accolades. Is it worth Rs. 5,100 in Maharashtra. Not really, especially since you can get it for Rs. 3,100 at other places. So if you can get your hands on this outside of Maharashtra then surely it is something that you should taste because there is something there that will surely satisfy your taste buds.
Barents whisky comes from Rock and Storm Distilleries and the reason for its name is that it is dedicated to famed Dutch Arctic explorer of the 16th century, Williem Barentsz, who searched the Northeast Passage From Europe To Asia. And Yes it is Williem and not William. Now this is available in few States currently like Delhi for a price of this is Rs. 840. It is also available in Uttrakhand, Punjab, Jammu and Telangana and will soon be available in Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and CSD stores as well. There is a specific reason why this was made in this article we will decode that. And incase if you like viewing video reviews then click above and check that out as well.
So this is a small-batched distilled whisky that was made with an inspiration as a premium whisky. Now of course this is very competitively priced and it competes with the likes of Blenders, 8 PM and so on in the premium Indian whisky market. Infact the idea behind this whisky was to benchmark its packaging and give the feel to the consumer which is on the lines of popular scotches and single malts. And to achieve this the makers followed Williem Barents discovery voyage and his enthusiasm and zeal that led to the creation of this blend.
Now of course targeting products into the premium market has become the go to thing for most makers as the Indian consumer is now looking for better experiences. Infact the premium market segment has expanded rapidly and is growing faster than any other segments of the beverage industry.
Nosing
In terms of nosing you have the aroma of sweet spices with a hint of that floral hit. It is also smoky, you surely getting that peat.
Tasting
In terms of tasting you get that Nutty and Toffee flavour, that slight fruity punch also hits you in the middle and it ends with a smoky aroma. The finish is very smooth and you can understand that it is being made with good malts.
Conclusion
So how do we find the Barrents whisky? Honestly for a price of Rs. 880 we think it is able to give you a decent experience. But we love the fact that they have been ambitious and looked at possibilities to do new or different things. So if you are a regular at using products in this price bracket or category then we think there is enough here to atleast taste this product.
Single Reserva Whisky is made by India Glycols and this is the company’s first product in the semi-premium whisky market. They have another product in the vodka category called Amazing Vodka (which you can view by clicking on the link) as well which comes in different flavours as well. And if you enjoy watching video reviews then you can click above and watch the video review.
So this whisky is priced around Rs. 600 in Chandigarh and currently it is available in UP , Delhi , Uttrakhand and Chandigarh. It will soon be available in other states like Rajasthan, Punjab, HP and Mumbai and of couse the prices are expected to be higher at that point. This whisky positions itself in the popular/semi-premium category between Blenders Pride and Royal Stag, both of which are very popular Millionaire brands. Which means that Single Reserva has its task cut out for itself right from its launch phase.
But if you are thinking that India Glycols is a new company who might not know much about the industry, then you would be wrong. Infact chemicals are the primary cornerstone of India Glycols Ltd business and as we know that ENA, Sugar, Chemicals, all of these are by-product that lead to liquor, which means it was only natural that at some point the company would foray into this business. And the company is a massive player in the country liquor market with its popular brand ‘Bunty and Bubbly’, which sells a whopping 1.32 lakh cases a month. We have done a full length interview with the team when these products were launched, so do check that out as well.
So this whisky is manufactured at two different plants, one is at IGLs Kashipur plant which caters to all the States and the other is at their Gorakhpur plant that caters only to the UP market.
When it comes to the Single Reserva Whisky, the new concept of blending has been made with the help and research of none-other than the legendary Peter J Warren and you can see his signature as well on the bottle as well. And if you don’t know this name, then Warren is credited with creating some of the malts that go into creating some of the world’s highest selling whisky’s like Johnnie Walker and J&B. But the actual blend of the whisky is made my Surrinder Kumar, who is already a known name in the industry in India.
Packaging
If we talk about the packaging then a lot of thought has gone into this and I think the brand is trying to provide a premium experience to the consumer at a semi-premium price bracket. The bottle is well designed and looks great. Deep drawn long caps, typical Single Malt bottle design and excellent colour scheme of labels. Brilliant branding on Labels and Exotic Canister packing.
Tasting Notes
In terms of the tasting you surely get that peaty and smoky Malt notes. Like a lot of the Indian Malts that we have tasted recently you get that nutty and honey, sweet notes as well.
Conclusion
So what do we think about the Single Reserva Whisky? Well for a price tag of Rs. 600 in Chandigarh, it does provide you with enough to come back to that bottle again. There is some amount of mystery to it for you to enjoy. So does it serve the objective of India Glycols of providing a premium experience in a semi-premium price bracket? We think it does.
Sterling Reserve B10 whisky is made by ABD, which is Allied Blenders and Distilleries, the largest manufacturer of IMFL spirit by volume. The whisky is priced at Rs. 1,350 in Maharashtra and it is available almost Pan India. The reason why this whisky is called ‘B10’ is because it is supposed to give the experience of 10 different flavours to the consumer. If you are more of a video person then you can check out the video review on top as well.
Before we start talking about Sterling Reserve let’s take a look at ABD. So ABD is a very renowned name in the industry and has been in the market for decades now. One of their best- known millionaire brands is Officers Choice, which also is a category leader in that segment. For ones who don’t know what a millionaire brand is, millionaire brand means that it sells more than a million cases in a year, which isn’t an easy feat to achieve.
Now what is interesting is that this is also a millionaire brand which means it automatically puts pressure on it to taste good. This whisky is placed in the same segment as Blenders Pride and Antiquity Blue. So basically, this is positioned in a category where you have some of the best premium and highest selling Indian whisky’s honestly. This whisky comes in two variants, B7 which is positioned in the popular category and of course this, which is the B10. If we talk about the blend of this whisky, then there isn’t much clarity about the age of the malts that have been used in this. But this uses imported Scotch malts, which means malts that have aged at least 3-year’s have been used. This is combined with the Indian grain spirits with the Scotch Malts used from different barrel origin including bespoke bourbon oak casks. Naturally there is neutral spirits that are used as well in this since it has Indian grain spirits as well. Now this whisky is also chill-filtered, which means it won’t change colour when you add ice or water to it.
Packaging
If we talk about the packaging of the brand, then it is very clear that ABD wanted to create an impact since it is a tough market and they have spent a considerable time on this packaging as well. In comparison with blenders and antiquity it is the only brand that comes in a canister, which shows how serious they are about this category. In terms of packaging, it gives you a feel of the premiumness like others as well. They’ve gone with the deep Purple as the base colour and I think it could be coz they want to stand out on the shelf and they’ve managed to achieve that as well to some extent. In terms of the bottle as well it is nice and reminiscent of Indian whisky bottles.
Nosing
In terms of the nosing you get some honeyed sweetness, nuttiness of the barley and a fruity and heathery nose.
Tasting
The ABV is 42.8% and it gives you that punch as you taste it. The flavours of oak are clear and also a sweet flavour also comes from the whisky. Although it feels like honey but it is more of vanilla. There is a fruit as well which I think it berries. The finish is meduim-longish and honestly it is difficult to identify 10 flavours honestly but the whisky does seem smooth.
Conclusion
So what do we think about the Sterling Reserve B10 whisky? For a price of Rs. 1,350 in Maharashtra it is already a very popular brand. It gives you that mix of nice flavours, smooth refines for the price and you really can understand why the people who have this brand swear by it and won’t touch anything else. It is not something that you can have on the rocks naturally like most of the whisky’s in this segment. But with water or a mixer of your choice is suited. Maybe you can try it next when you are going to have any whisky’s in this segment and let us know how it is in the comments.
Amrut Spectrum 004 is a single malt whiskey from India that has been making waves in the international whiskey market. Amrut Spectrum 004 is also a limited edition single malt launched for Rs. 12,999. In this article, we will be reviewing the Amrut Spectrum 004. We will explore its flavour profile and discuss its unique characteristics that make it stand out among other whiskeys.
We have received the Spectrum 004 in a unique launch package and stands out as the world’s first single malt whisky aged in a multi-wood barrel. Unlike traditional single malt whiskies that are matured in casks made from a single type of oak, Spectrum was matured in a barrel made from staves of four different types of oak, earning it the name “004”.
Adding to the exclusivity of Spectrum is its limited release, with only 6600 bottles produced. Out of these, only 600 will be available in Bengaluru, with the remaining 6000 bottles set for sale across Europe, the USA, and the Asia-Pacific region. This rare availability only enhances the prestige of this one-of-a-kind single malt whisky.
Spectrum underwent a unique two-step maturation process. First, the new make spirit was matured in an ex-bourbon cask, then the aged spirit was transferred to a Spectrum cask, made from a combination of different types of oak: new American oak with char level 3, lightly toasted new French limousine oak, ex-oloroso sherry cask staves, and ex-PX sherry cask staves. This carefully crafted process results in a complex and layered whisky with a depth of flavour like no other.
We are thrilled with the recent experimentation and innovation in Indian whisky-making, and it is exciting to see brands like Amrut pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This marks an important moment in the industry, where there is a growing need for more ambitious and innovative brands to emerge. We believe that this will lead to a vibrant and diverse landscape of exceptional Indian whiskies, one that truly showcases the passion, creativity, and expertise of India’s distillers.
On the nose, Spectrum 004 exhibits a delicate blend of vanilla and coconut, with a subtle hint of toffee. On the palate, the whisky showcases a distinctive coconut flavour, with a bold hit of spice and a touch of sweet vanilla and toffee notes. The finish is smooth and long-lasting, with a lingering spice that lingers on the throat. This unique combination of flavours and aromas make Spectrum 004 a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Conclusion
So what’s our take on Spectrum 004? We believe it’s truly unique, with a delicious blend of dried fruit, coconut, sweetness, and spiciness. It’s a prime example of the new wave of premium malts being produced in India, and with a limited edition of only 6,600 bottles, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection. Don’t miss out on this exceptional and rare whisky experience.
