When Indian single malt whisky was first introduced to the international spirits stage in the mid-2000s, it redefined the way whiskey is appreciated on a global scale.
The pioneer leading that charge was Amrut, distilling single malts in Bengaluru that matured at three times the speed of traditional Scotch due to the city’s high altitude and intense tropical humidity. Last week in Jersey City, that legacy found a permanent tribute with the unveiling of the House of Amrut. The concept of House of Amrut was created by Sati Sharma and is aimed at establishing an intimate tasting room for whiskey lovers to enjoy.
The preview coincided with the debut of Kranthi, Amrut’s latest release. Bottled at 40% ABV and non-chill filtered, Kranthi is approachable and fruit-forward, opening with bright notes of green apple, juicy pear, and soft vanilla candy, balanced by gentle toasted oak and mild spice on the finish. It is tailored for easy sipping neat or in highballs, contrasting nicely with the heavier, cask-strength pours in the collection.
Alongside Kranthi, the guided tasting explored four standout expressions that highlighted the breadth of Amrut’s incredible lineup which were the Fusion, Gymkhana, Greedy Angels 10 Year Old, and the Aatma 12 Year Old Rum Cask. The fusion is one of Amrut’s most notable whiskeys and was one of our favorites . The color is a pale gold and on the nose offers aromas of crisp citrus and heavy peat smoke. On the palate it immerses you into vegetal earthy notes, warming spice, and a peppery oak finish. With the Gymkhana, the color was a noticeable dark, caramel color with flavors leaning heavily into tropical fruit. We tasted toasted coconut, roasted pineapple, and golden raisins, followed by sweet vanilla bean and baking spices mixed in. The Greedy Angels 10 Year Old was an incredible highlight and standout. This is Amrut’s “angel’s share” expression. And this rare 10-year-old is extraordinarily concentrated, packed with dark cocoa, candied orange peel, and leather. Lastly we tried the Aatma 12 Year Old Rum Cask Finish. This expression is one of only 60 bottles ever produced and this single cask was the centerpiece of the evening. It balances Amrut’s oak tannins with rum sweetness which delivered notes of syrupy molasses, tobacco leaf, and demerara sugar that coats the palate for minutes.
Photo courtesy of House of Amrut
To complement the whiskies, the House of Amrut put together a variety of Indian bites designed to stand up to the spirit’s alcohol and bold flavors. Guests sampled crispy Chicken 65 and Paneer 65, alongside fiery Chili Paneer, marinated Prawns, and tender Spiced Lamb.
Photo courtesy of House of Amrut
Between the rare vintage pours and delicious Indian bites, the House of Amrut feels like a clubhouse for serious spirits lovers. We cannot recommend it enough
