Review of Amrut's Single Malts of India: Kurinji

 

Its fans know Amrut is the pioneer for distilling Indian Single Malt Whisky. Founded in Bengaluru in 1948, it didn’t produce its first exported single malt whisky until 2004. It grabbed worldwide attention when Jim Murray gave Amrut Fusion a 97 rating in 2010.

 

Many Amrut fans may not know that Amrut has created an umbrella brand called Single Malts of India. It is a line of whiskies that Amrut produces but doesn’t distill. Instead, Amrut works with small Indian distilleries. Amrut takes the unaged distillate back to Bengaluru to age in its warehouses. The initial release is called Neidhal, which I reviewed in March 2022. The newest edition, Kurinji, is the subject of today’s review.

 

What does Kurinji mean? It’s a flower that grows in India, one of the rarest in the world. Its full name is Neelakurinji, and it blooms only once every dozen years in the southwestern state of Kerala, turning the hills and fields a violet color.

 

Kurinji has a second meaning:

 

“Ancient Tamil texts, dating back to the Sangam period (300 BC – 300 AD), classify mother earth into five regions called tinais, each being associated with its own distinct literary style, grammar, mood, subtle as well as overt form of romance, culture, and even cuisine. ‘Kurinji’, according to this classification comprises all mountains and neighboring regions or in short hilly terrains as the way of living one associates with them.” – Amrut

 

Amrut’s Kurinji is an Indian Single Malt whiskey sourced from this region. It is made from 100% malted six-row barley and spent five years in ex-Bourbon casks. It has a suggested price of $115.00.

 

If you’re wondering why a single malt would age only five years, there’s a vast difference between the Scottish, Irish, and Indian climates. In Scotland or Ireland, five years is just getting started. In Bengaluru, you’re talking 3-to-4 times faster aging, or in this case, 15-plus years. There is about a 12% annual loss to the angels!

 

I want to #DrinkCurious, but before I can do that, I must thank Glass Revolution, the US importer of Amrut, for providing me with a sample of Kurinji in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.  

 

Appearance: I poured this whisky into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. It possessed a bright gold color. The liquid formed a medium rim and massive, wavy tears.

 

Nose: Kurinji initially had a nose that wouldn’t quit. As it filled the air of my whiskey library, I smelled citrus, barley, brown sugar, and honey. When I pulled the air into my mouth, there was honeysuckle. I will also state that after about 15 minutes, the various components of the aroma were more challenging to identify.

 

Palate: The texture was thin but sticky. The front of my palate found brown sugar, caramel, and cocoa. At its midpoint, I tasted nutmeg, dry leather, and oak. Flavors of clove, ginger spice, and white pepper were on the back.   

 

Finish: Kurinji had a finish that wouldn’t quit and could very well be one of the longest I’ve experienced. It featured dry leather, clove, oak, nutmeg, and ginger, then ended with a kiss of cinnamon apple pie filling.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: One of the fascinating things about Amrut’s Single Malts of India program is it introduces us to whiskies entirely off anyone’s radar. I was surprised how strong the aroma started and then just fell off. The palate began sweet, became dry, and ended with serious spice. Then there was that Energizer Bunny finish. It all added up to a lovely tasting experience. I don’t believe you’ll find another whisky like Kurinji, no matter what corner of the earth you seek. That point alone earns this one 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.