Amrut Single Malt is India’s first single malt, also, the world’s third-best single malt whisky, and one of the best Indian Spirits. It was launched in Scotland in 2004. It is important to know about the harsh struggles and researches that made the Indians Spirit what it is today.
The Story Behind India’s First Single Malt- Amrut Single Malt
In 1948, the Amrut Distilleries Ltd was founded by Shri Radhakrishna N Jagdale in Karnataka. In 1982, when most of the distillers in India were using molasses, Jagdale planned to use barley blended with malt. By using local barley, in 1986 Prestige Blended Malt was launched in the Canteen Stores Department. Soon, it was discovered by the company that whisky matures slowly in Europe or the United States as compared to India due to the hot weather.
This discovery laid a perfect path for the company to progress and research and it was concluded that India’s one year of barrel-ageing is equal to three years of ageing in Scotland and it was much better in taste. With this research, the company was ready to launch its whisky in Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about Amrut single malt whiskey.
The Launch in 2004
After his father’s challenge in 2001 of promoting an Indian Single Malt in Scotland, Rakshit Jagdale, grandson of RN Jagdale started with some marketing strategies and conducted a blind taste test and most of the people liked this whisky and then a misconception of the world regarding good whisky was shattered as many believed that India could not produce a good whisky. Under the brand name Amrut Single Malt, the whisky was launched in 2004 in Scotland.
Well, it took another period of time to launch it in India. In 2010 a similar tasting test was conducted in Bangalore, India. Here are a few more facts about Amrut single malt whiskey.
The Turning path
Jim Murray, Whisky connoisseur has a big hand in the success of the brand as in 2005 and 2010 he gave the brand a rating of 82 out of 100. The Brand was not making profits and was going slow but after Jim Murray’s review, the demand went from an annual of 1600 to 5000 cases in 2010!
It is sold in countries such as Belgium, Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Singapore, Netherland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Finland, France, and South Africa.
Connection with Indian Mythology
The word ‘Amrut’ is derived from a Sanskrit word and it means ‘nectar’ of life. The name of the company is based on a story from Indian Mythology, where a pot full of divine liquid emerged during a battle between good and evils and it was called Amrut. It was believed that whoever will consume the liquid would be eternal and the Gods drank it and the evils were defeated. Keeping in mind the same story and essence, the company was named Amrut to spread the positivity and goodness.
Amrut Single Malt is considered by many as King of Kings in Indian Single Malt Whisky as it appeals to different senses in a multifaceted and interesting way. It is one of the best indian single malt whsikys ever introduced.
Variants of Amrut Single Malt
There are five variants of Amrut Single Malt
1. Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky 46%
2. Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky 46%
3. Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky 50%
4. Amrut Cask Strength
5. Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength
Limited Editions of Amrut Single Malt
There is a list of limited edition as well which includes Amrut Raj Igala, Amrut Rye, Amrut Spectrum, Amrut Naarangi, Amrut Greedy Angels, Amrut Portonova, Amrut Single Cask, Amrut 100, etc. The demand for whisky is so high in India as well that they are not able to fulfill it.
Do try single malt cocktails at home as after learning about the struggles and success of the Indian Spirits, you will get more satisfaction with every sip!
