Official Statement from Amrut about Fusion X Amrut Distilleries celebrates 10 years of its iconic Single Malt – Amrut Fusion; launches the special edition Amrut Fusion X

Bangalore, India

Amrut Distilleries, the pioneers of the Indian Single Malt revolution and makers of iconic brands such as the Fusion, Spectrum, Naarangi and Amalgam are celebrating the 10th anniversary of India’s flagship Single Malt Whisky – the Amrut Fusion. To commemorate this landmark day, the Bangalore based distillery is launching a special limited-edition Single Malt whisky – the Amrut Fusion X (ten) across the world on the 25th of November, 2020.

This launch is also timed to celebrate the birthday of our beloved late. Chairman and MD, Shri. Neelakanta Rao R Jagdale – the Father of Indian Single Malts.

Tracing our steps back to 2009, it was our late Chairman and Managing Director of N.R. Jagdale Group, Mr. Neelakanta Rao R Jagdale, who in his conviction of offering the best possible product for discerning consumers set about creating a new Single Malt. The effort and the launch of the first Indian Single Malt, Amrut, in Scotland and thereafter in most parts of the globe were instrumental in his widespread recognition as the “father of Indian Single Malt Whiskies”. It was he who defined the final character of Amrut Fusion, as he sat in his summer residence in Nilgiris, 7000 feet above sea level. As Neel kept at mixing peated and unpeated malts in various proportions, the magical formula that he finalized that day went on to become Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky, a much appreciated, feted and richly awarded single malt wherever it was launched across the globe. Clearly, as the architect of Amrut Fusion, Neel well and truly gave a new direction not just to his company but to the Indian Liquor industry itself.

Coming back to the present, we have a reason to celebrate, acknowledge and remember. Amrut Fusion X is an ode to our past and our vision for the future. The Fusion X whisky is created after further maturing our Amrut Fusion for a period of 4 years in PX-Sherry casks, adding a dimension to the whisky unlike ever before. This limited edition also deserves a special bottling, and hence this exquisite liquid is presented in a collectable porcelain bottle, adorned with a beautiful print and a sketch of Neel, crafted by one of the foremost names in ceramics – Wade, England. The cork too, has been handpicked and shipped from Portugal, while the bottle will be presented in a jacket made of lush velvet. The Fusion X, also for the first time in India comes with an integrated NFC chip in partnership with Vlinder, which adds a great level of safety to your collectable bottle. Buyers can tap the NFC on the bottle to be indicated on their smartphones if the bottle has ever been opened, and also access a vast array of information about the whisky on a website.

Amrut Fusion X is a very limited bottling with only 1010 bottles worldwide. In India, this rare symphony will be released in Bengaluru (limited to 60 bottles) at a price of around INR 15000 per bottle and will be made available in select retail outlets. Quote from Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director, Amrut Distilleries “It’s a matter of great pride to us when people call Amrut Fusion the flag-bearer of Indian Single Malts. Our late CMD and my father Shri Neelakanta Rao Jagdale was in fact the architect of this path breaking product and it gives me immense satisfaction to make this special release of Fusion X on his birthday as both a celebration of 10 years of love by consumers around the world and a tribute to his life and legacy.”

Tasting notes: Prepared by Ashok Chokalingam, Head Distiller – Amrut Distilleries

Colour: Golden Syrup

Nose: An exciting and inviting nose with an array of tropical fruits and salted caramel transforming into toffee fudge. Then here you go; a wave of vanilla cream followed by almond paste. The phenols are a mere teaser and shy; exhibiting maturity beyond its age.

Taste: A sweet orange note transforming into loads of tropical fruits. Enormously complex on the palate showcasing the notes of dried fruits, vanilla cream, toffee fudge and an inviting oak note.The middle ground is velvety and silky and the phenols are just mesmerising and are lovely.

Finish: Sweet, spicy and phenolic!

A very inconspicuous label that would be ignored. But a closer look and a taste will set the eyes rolling.

Bottled in the late 80’s an absolute blinder for the price. Easy drinking and a well balanced blend. Look out for the older blends folks they are delightful.

Stay safe, celebrate responsibly! Enjoy that special bottle stashed away for occassions just like this!

Contemporary Indian!

Well today its Woodburns. A whisky from Goa, India. Distilled at Fullerton Distilleries and this one comes with some packaging.

“Rich Indian malt whisky aged in barrels handcrafted by some of the finest coopers in the country”- I really dont know what that means 🤷🏽‍♂️. Cooperages is not something that was very prevalent in India as such. Anyway lets see what this whisky has to offer

Name: Woodburns
Distillery: Fullerton, Goa – India
ABV: 42.8%
Colour: Chestnut Oloroso Sherry 1.2

Intresting visuals in the glass, nice hue and has thickish legs. Does not trickle down that easy, so it raises hopes.

Nose: Ugghh!! I picked the wrong glass for this one. used the 1920 blenders glass and the nose is not very pleasant on the first whiff. Feinty with ethanol. There are some undertones of malt there but very supressed, surprisingly nothing woody here. There is some vegetation if one gets through the evident ones but nothing much here. Even after a while its pretty flat.

Mouth: A cold entry with things waiting to happen, there is some spice at the very end which converts to bitterness (in a good way) along with mints. It is indeed a little thicker on the palate. There is a profile of burnt wood I’ll give it that but not anything like a peated whisky.

Finish: There is a lingering finish on this one, which clings on to the tongue along with bitters. After sometime the bitters get stronger with prickly spice which is mild.

A very flat whisky and I am very curious about the still. In fact not knowinuch about this distillery I would say that either they are not using a copper pot still for distillation or the copper contact is not going great for it. Or it may be that its a very young whisky. Overall its a great experiment, certanly has potential but nothing great today. I will do some more research on this distillery.

Weekend collaboration with ‘The chef gig’ and Paul John Whisky!

A decadent layered whisky pudding. The Paul John edited version just adds that perfect balance to this dessert.

Festive season from ‘The Chef Gig’ is going to be special.