World

Whisky Review: Amrut Spectrum 004 Indian Single Malt

We review Amrut Spectrum 004, the latest Amrut Spectrum Indian single malt release that uses finishing casks that incorporate four different kinds of staves.

OVERALL RATING

9
Like Conversation
Amrut Spectrum 004 Single Malt Whisky

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged in ex-bourbon cask and finished in a cask assembled from staves from new American oak, new French oak, ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and ex-PX sherry casks. 50% ABV, SRP $195/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
The color is dark amber-brown.
Nose:
There’s a lot going on with the nose. It opens with spice notes like caraway, musk, star anise, and toast. There’s a suggestion of shoe polish, roasted sweet potato, and burnt vanilla. The influence of the four stave types in the finishing cask is prominent! There are notes of candy corn, caramel, and dried mango. The mélange of so many aromatics does seem a touch disjointed. The entire experience is a bit like smelling a bottle of fine perfume: a suggestion is nice, but it becomes overwhelming.
Palate:


Finish:
Comments:
I found the aromatics to be a bit over the top for my palate, but subtlety doesn’t seem to be the goal. It’s an interesting decision to mix staves from multiple barrels, but I’m left looking for more harmony in the finished product. It would make a beautiful if price-prohibitive mixer with cola, with ginger ale, or in richly flavored cocktails. For better or worse, the four cask types are apparent when tasting. It is a heavy, full-throttle experience that benefited greatly from several hours of air. Those seeking an amped up barrel-forward whiskey experience will find plenty to enjoy. This will be loved and adored, just not by all. But isn’t that how one achieves greatness?

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Suzanne Bayard

Suzanne Bayard struck out to the West Coast with her now husband almost a decade ago to explore the intersection of wine and policy in its world-class wine regions. She manages a Portland, OR bottle shop by day as the wine buyer and newsletter editor. She is also the Director of the Deep Roots Coalition, an organization of 30 Willamette Valley wineries that educate on and promote dry farming and sustainable practices. She joined the Whiskey Wash to explore two other passions: writing and whiskey.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash