Amrut Spectrum 2021 (50% ABV)

One of the uniquest whisky malt in the world! To make this whisky malts were initially matured for a period of 3 years in ex-Bourbon barrels after which they were transferred to a custom built barrel. This barrel was constructed at an undisclosed location in Europe with the help of a few experts. Whisky is traditionally aged in a barrel made of one type of wood, which lends the flavor and complexities to the malt, however, Amrut Spectrum in matured in a barrel with five different types of wood.

A chat with Ashok Chokalingam, Head Distiller, Amrut Distillery

Aged in a one-of-a-kind barrel custom-built barrel named Spectrum casks, these are exclusive to Amrut. What sets them apart is their make, comprising not one but four different types of oak staves.

Whisky, for the past 400 years has traditionally been aged in a cask made of one type of oak wood, which lends flavor and complexities to the malt. However, Amrut wanted to experiment with a cask with four different types of wood. This however presented a unique challenge, as each oak wood stave had different thickness and properties.

The problem was addressed with an indigenous and ingenious solution; four different casks were made, each of a different type of wood, and corresponding staves were removed to be stitched together in one cask.

To make the Spectrum 004, a two-part maturation technique has been employed. The first being the maturation of New Make spirit in an ex-Bourbon cask. Innovation follows when the spirit is transferred to the Spectrum cask, where the aged spirit is matured for the remaining period.

These Spectrum barrels are made with 4 different kinds of staves, fusing American and European makes. It includes the new American Oak with Char level 3, lightly toasted new French Limousin Oak, ex-Oloroso sherry staves, and ex-PX Sherry staves. The combination of old and new barrel types lends the whiskey a bit of each unique flavor profile as it ages.
The Spectrum 004 is a testament to Amrut’s commitment to innovate and release whiskies that push the boundary.

Commenting on the launch, Ashok Chokalingam, Head Distiller, Amrut Distilleries says, “It is one of the exciting releases from Amrut and perhaps in the whisky world. 400 years of whisky making and a novel idea of maturation on a custom-built barrel that was never done before, and the fact that it is made in India, is the icing on the cake. As a distiller, who oversaw the maturation and bottling of this particular batch, I am immensely proud of this bottling.”

The tasting notes as specified by Ashok Chokalingam promise festive notes in the Amrut Spectrum to start 2022 off in the most premium and luxurious way possible.

Color
Dark Honey

Nose
The journey begins with very strong scents of dried fruits and Christmas pudding with a near-perfect companion of coconut cream dosed with vanilla. Then an element of sticky toffee pudding with an aroma that is hard to describe and perhaps a shade of sandalwood. The phenol that is completely dusked due to the dominance of the sherry influence is mesmerizing.

Taste
It is a jammy and syrupy affair. A cloud of mild spice dust that is quite lovely, it is enveloped by vanilla pudding and a creamy texture. There are juicy sultanas with an aromatic mask joined by the mildest hint of phenol and a perfect degree of wood tone.

Finish
It is brilliantly refreshing with a minty shade and ends with a sweet tone.