Amrut Rye Single Malt Whisky Review & Tasting Notes

 

Let’s get something out of the way. It may seem obvious, but India isn’t Scotland or Ireland. I say that because the definition of Single Malt Whisky in Scotland and Ireland is precise. It must be made from 100% malted barley. But, leave those nations, and the definition expands to include any malted grain.

 

Today, we’re exploring Amrut Rye Single Malt Whisky. It is almost prophetic that Amrut, India’s first single malt distillery, would bring India’s first single malt made from 100% malted rye! The malted grain comes from Europe, and the whisky aged five years in new, American oak casks.

 

Bengaluru, where Amrut is located, is about 3000 feet above sea level. Temperatures range between 61°F and 94°F, and the average humidity is 66%. The climate causes whisky to age about 3.5 times yearly compared to what Scotland or Ireland experience, translating to about a 12% loss annually to the angels!

 

A 750ml bottle of Amrut Rye is packaged at 50% ABV (100°) and suggested at about $160.00, making it a serious investment. We’ll figure out if it is worth that once we #DrinkCurious, which happens right after I thank Glass Revolution, Amrut’s exclusive US importer, for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.  

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky into a Glencairn glass to sip neat. The liquid inside was an almost cloudy bronze color. It formed a massive rim and thick, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: I smelled candied ginger, chocolate, floral rye, orange zest, leather, and clove. I tried, yet couldn’t pull any oak notes, which shocked me as these were new barrels. When I drew the air through my lips, it was a blend of leather and ginger.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was almost airy as it crossed my tongue. If there were any doubts about using new oak, they were immediately quashed, as that’s the first thing I tasted. The front also included gingerbread and caramel. The middle offered nutmeg, rye spice, and almonds. The back featured brown sugar, orange zest, and clove.  

 

Finish: The inside of my mouth was left sizzling – not from heat, but with spices, including clove, wood tannins, rye spice, candied ginger, nutmeg, and white pepper. Hidden beneath were caramel, raw almonds, and orange zest. Overall, it was of a longer duration.   

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Amrut Rye Single Malt Whisky was unlike any American Rye I’ve tasted. I went into this review curious if they would be similar in nature. At the other end of the spectrum, this isn’t like any single malt whisky I’ve tried or any Single Grain Irish or Scotch whiskies. It was in a league of its own. The wood and spice notes were bold. Yet, this whisky didn’t taste young. I’m unsure how to classify Amrut Rye Single Malt Whisky.

 

What I am sure of is how much I enjoyed this sipping experience. As I said initially, the $160 investment is nothing to sneeze at. But if you want something decidedly different that’s delicious and full of character, then Amrut Rye Single Malt is right up your alley. I am thrilled to have this one in my whiskey library, and it earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.