India

Whisky and Curry: Whisky #455 – Amrut Single Malt Single Cask Bottled for Dram Full & Beef Vindaloo

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Whisky and Curry: Whisky #455 – Amrut Single Malt Single Cask Bottled for Dram Full & Beef Vindaloo. Bangalore, India. ABV: 62.8%. Tasted at home, $140 (bottle).

India is one of the world’s largest whisky consumer markets. They bloody love the stuff. As we all know, the Indians are also quite fond of a curry. But do they drink their whisky with a curry? Wouldn’t the intense curry flavours, aromas and spiciness overpower any whisky? I’ve never tried whisky with curry before, but seeing as I cooked up a beef vindaloo curry and had a bottle of Indian whisky, Amrut Single Malt Single Cask Bottled for Dram Full) I thought I should give it a crack!

Colour: Brassy. Well, I guess turmeric would be more appropriate…

Nose: A strong nose prickle, hardly surprising for a cask strength whisky. Lots of spices, fresh lemon tarts, an old timber tea chest. With a bowl of hot curry sitting beside me it’s hard to get much more!

Palate: Citrus, butter and chilli. Maybe it’s the lingering heat of the curry? Taking a sip of whisky after a mouthful of curry seems to accentuate some brown sugar and raisin notes, though with plenty of earthy spice.

Finish: Having some whisky after the curry seems to bring back some of the heat from the curry. Topping up the glass after the curry is finished (purely for research purposes) reveals some sweeter meaty flavours – think char grilled steak – along with some dried candied orange.

Comments: I’ve enjoyed this Amrut immensely on its own, but haven’t had it with food before. My good mate Mahesh informs me that Indians have their whisky always pre or post food. I thought that curry might overpower the whisky, and in this instance it proved to be the case. Vindaloo is a spicy, full flavoured curry that really gives your tastebuds a smack. Perhaps a milder curry might pair well with some whiskies? Then again, maybe whisky and curry don’t really mix and we should stick to having whisky pre or post curry…after all, 1 billion people can’t be wrong.

Beef vindaloo prep

Whisky #390: Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt

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Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt. Bangalore, India. ABV: 46.00%. Tasted at home, $120 (bottle).

Colour: Liquid fire.

Nose: A slight prickle as some ginger biscuit and sweet peat aromas announce themselves. The peat is a lot more subtle on the nose than say your typical Islay peated malts.

Palate: Bam – like a kick to the mouth, it’s a full frontal assault on your laughing gear. Intense toasted cereal, honeycomb and peat flavours are all vying for the attention of your tastebuds.

Finish: A long warm fade, the peatiness and warmth very gradually dissipates. Soft and sweet woody notes too. Chocolate and honeycomb flavours right at the death, like you’ve just finished devouring a Crunchie bar.

Comments: It’s a creeper, almost an ambush. The nose entices you with its alluring subtleties, then you walk around the corner and you get punched in the mouth. As you wipe away a bit of claret from the corner of your mouth you can almost taste the metallic spiciness and warmth filling your mouth. Different to your typical Scottish peated malt, and that’s not a bad thing.

Whisky #271 – Amrut Fusion Single Malt Indian Whisky

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IMG_3874

Xander from Varnish with his happy face on. Must be because I’m drinking all his whisk(e)y.

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Indian Whisky. Bangalore, India. ABV: 50%. Tasted at Varnish on King, $21.50.

Colour: light copper.

Nose: a little caramel when you pull away, quite oaky.

Palate: very dry and oaky.

Finish: Spicey and peppery. Need to try again.

Comments: How the fuck did I make those notes. Let me explain – I tried this whisky on a Friday night, I didn’t even remember going to Varnish, let alone tasting the Amrut. The next day I discovered the photos on my phone & also my tasting notes…needless to say I was a little dubious at how accurate they might be, so I went back to Varnish a couple of days later to re-taste in a slightly more sober state. I was amazed to find that my drunken notes were surprisingly accurate! Wonders never cease.