Amrut Distilleries recently launched India’s oldest single malt whiskey, a historic first for India’s alcobev industry, in Bengaluru, aptly named ‘Expedition’. A rare masterpiece sculpted by time, patience and craftsmanship Amrut Expedition carries a price tag of over US$ 12,000 (INR 10,50,000).
With only 75 bottles ever crafted, this global release is a tribute to Amrut’s relentless pursuit of perfection and a defining milestone in India’s whiskey heritage, said Rakshit Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries.
The limited edition has been allocated to global travel retail in India and abroad. The launch spanned key markets across India, the US, the UK, Europe, Dubai, Singapore and Australia. Amrut loyalists from across the globe had flown into Bengaluru to witness the unveiling, underscoring the brand’s worldwide admiration.
The release of Amrut Expedition has already cemented its status as a coveted collector’s item, one that whiskey enthusiasts across the globe are eager to acquire.
Liquid engineering
What justifies this hype and price tag, you might ask. This expression has undergone an unprecedented 15-year maturation period. It first spent 8 years in a specially sourced Sherry cask from Europe, cultivating deep, opulent flavours.
The liquid then transitioned to an ex-Bourbon cask from the US for an additional 7 years, further refining its complexity and depth. It is bottled in 700 ml at 62.8% ABV.
At first glance, the Expedition packaging exudes the grandeur of a royal heirloom, a treasure reserved for the modern-day monarchs. Crafted to mirror the rarity and grandeur of the whiskey within, the packaging of Amrut Expedition stands out for its design and engineering.
The bottle features a distinctive diamond-cut design, adorned with intricate gold engravings that form an elegant bespoke pattern, and houses the precious liquid as it undergoes a voyage to meet its rightful owner.
Adding to its exclusivity, a regal silver peg measure, handcrafted by a skilled silversmith in Bengaluru, accompanies each bottle. Ensuring authenticity, every bottle is also embedded with an NFC tag and a bespoke authentication card, narrating the story behind this historic release.
Merging metal and wood seamlessly was an intricate challenge, one that took six months of relentless innovation and five prototypes, with designers meticulously bringing the outer case to life. Each box is handcrafted and painted, housing individually engraved and numbered bottles, making every unit a unique collector’s piece.
Amrut Distilleries Managing Director Rakshit Jagdale (L) and Executive Director Vikram Nikam at the launch of the limited-edition expression.
Diamond Jubilee
For Amrut Distilleries, it was a twist-of-destiny moment. Once tagged as the home of economical and unsophisticated offerings, this single malt is a tribute to 75 years of Amrut’s pioneering journey – an investment in history, offering a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience.
“Amrut Expedition’s launch is more than just a historic whiskey release; it is a tribute to 75 years of Amrut’s pioneering journey, a voyage that has been nothing short of an expedition in itself,” Rakshit reminded the audience in the well-attended event.
“At the heart of this legacy stands (the late) Neelkanth Rao Jagdale (former Chairman and Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries), fondly known as the ‘Father of Indian single malt’. His unwavering vision, relentless pursuit of excellence, and commitment to putting India on the global whisky map have made this moment possible,” Rakshit added.
Ashok Chokalingam, Head of International Operations, related an anecdote about a senior food and whiskey critic who has sampled most Indian single malt expressions. The critic had said: “The Indian single malt category can be broadly classified into two: Amrut and Amrut Inspired”.
Ashok Chokalingam, Head of International Operations, explains the tasting notes of the 15-YO Expedition single malt.
Tasting notes
Colour: cola. On the nose, it is sherry truffle, leading to a dose of cane molasses. It is fruity with an alter ego of sherbet, complemented with a dose of vanilla pod sitting on the top. It is velvety and vibrant and creates a confusing wood aroma of sandalwood and subtle oak.
On the palate, it is chocolate coated sherry, the mid-palate is delicate and silky. There is a sharp contrast of cracked black pepper for a few seconds, and the bitter coca emerges to put that off with a marvelous dose of vanilla and dried fruits.
Amrut Expedition is spectacularly soft and velvety, with a layered note of fruit marmalade. The third layer is of subtle oak tone with a bitter, but refreshing, cocoa note. The finish is salivating beneath the tongue and with a classic bitter cocoa finish.
