Our members are ringing in the holidays and enjoying their Christmas delights! Are you?
This is your last chance to get your hands on the much-awaited Paul John Christmas edition before anyone else! It is exclusively available to SMAC members for 2 more days.
Head to bit.ly/3DhBBO1 to book your bottle today. Limited stocks available for Bangalore pick-up only.
New glassware alert! 
Colour, colour, which colour do I choose? Our set of 6 Glencairn Glasses is perfect for your blind tasting sessions.
It includes the world’s most iconic whisky glass in 6 distinct colours – black, blue, green, gold, red, and clear. It also doubles up as a great Christmas gift!
We only have five sets in stock! Head to https://bit.ly/3DJ3nTw to buy yours now!
Last night scenes! Private tasting session by SMAC.
Wonderful session last night for Financial services organization, really enthusiastic crowd.
Another evening where the malts from India trumped a couple of very popular Scottish whiskies.
The ever so popular blind tasting session from SMAC, removing the bias created by marketing and/or packaging.
The Paul John Christmas edition. An annual release from the distillery in Goa, India. This limited edition is a apt reflection of the wonderful flavour profile of the distillery.
Started in 2018 this series is become one of the most awaited annual releases in the now bustling single malt space in India. Right from the packaging to the liquid this edition brings together (with harmony) a wonderful celebratory styled whisky.
This year the treat has been delightful with Madeira casks contributing to a nice citrus tinge to the dark chocolate, resinous and date syrup notes.
A must try this season; while tastes and palates differ, this is perhaps the best of the Christmas editions to date by the notes of club founder Hemanth Rao.
SMAC members get to book and crack this open before anyone else! Yes we are exclusive till the edition is released for all in the market shortly. Book your bottle today! Stocks reserved for members limited.https://smacindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/256807974_197793685842930_3640042004947382558_n-1.mp4
Calling all peat lovers! We are very excited to announce that there are limited bottles of Ardbeg’s Wee Beastie available exclusively for our club members in Bangalore.
This feisty spirit while being complex, packs a mighty set of flavours. We are certainly impressed by Ardbeg’s confidence to unleash this young, 5-year-old single malt, which has been matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.
If you love intense smoky flavours, this one is for you. It has beautiful aromas of cracked black pepper, pine needles, vanilla and honey-glazed ham. The palate offers notes of dark chocolate, tar, smoked bacon, and eucalyptus, and a long salty finish with hints of cocoa and fudge.
📣The first 50 members to purchase this whisky receive a stunning, black, Ardbeg bar kit!
Head to https://bit.ly/3DhBBO1 to book your bottle now!
Booking for the Paul John Christmas edition 2021 for the members of SMAC has been closed for delivery in Mumbai.
Bookings open for members with Bangalore as a pick up location.
Fantastic 4 campaign for the other bottles remain open for all members across
For members who have forgotten your booking ID please check your registered mail for your latest Whisky Statement.
If you do not have a Membership ID please register today at www.smacindia.com/membership
This festive season SMAC goes all out to enhance your celebration by offering you 4 stellar Single Malts. Gift yourself and your dear ones these spectacular whiskies that are set to satiate a range of palates preferences from young & seashore peat to sherry & the much awaited Madeira Christmas cake.
Pre book these fantabulous whiskies and make this festive season a memorable one.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie (Includes a festive offer*)
Paul John Christmas Edition – 2021
Amrut Neidhal
Amrut Amaze III
Some of these as you can see are few left from previous campaigns and are available in very small numbers, booking will be on a first come serve basis.
Link to book: https://forms.gle/zU25QwvKa1LA1VWTA
For members who have forgotten your booking ID please check your registered mail for your latest Whisky Statement.
If you do not have a booking ID please register today at www.smacindia.com/membership
Top 3 Whiskies.
Last week we shared club founder’s 3rd best experience with the Longrow which was his third best whisky of all time. The reason why the whisky is in your top 3 may change from person to person; for him it is the ability of the Whisky to surprise.
His notes:
Today is number 2 which is a Springbank
Springbank 30 year old, bottled for the Milroy Associates. Milroy of Soho on Greek street is wonderful place to spend an evening with friends & drams, and if you dont have friends you are going to make some there!
As a dram Springers are of a very different profile from most whiskies. Generally its notes refer to the ‘funk’ in the whisky, which is difficult to grasp unless you taste. It’s a note which is like drawing from the brine and saltiness of a Talisker (without the peat), some minerals from an Old Pultney. A nose which is as fragrant as a Benriach with some elements of Farclas. A hint of medicine from the Islay whiskies & oilyness of a Clynelish. So yes it has Funk! This was my first ‘big’ Springbank and this one knocked my scoring around as it kept evolving. It has Golden strength on the label and is bottled at 50% abv which is an excellent bottling strength IMHO.
The nose is a combination of a mineral loaded citrus syrup (yes I felt the thickness on the nose!) with soot of a diesel locomotive. Very vibrant and not a shy one.
Mouth – The elements on the nose seem to sort of take a step back and other performers take the centre stage. The oily texture is not huge but enough to keep the minerals and the reek of peat in harmony. It turned quite spirity and showed a bit of rawness for a couple of seconds leaving you gasping before a creaminess takes over. Motor oil like dirtiness with freshness at the same time? Tobacco and leather with just some sherry sweet oils.
Finish – Its one of the whiskies that had the longest finishes experienced and kept me on the hooks for a while. Some Heather and vegetal notes with a bit of chocolate. Rubbery and chewy
Twisted description? It is an understatement
What are your top 3 Whiskies of all time?
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!
On the birth anniversary of late Sri. Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, Amrut has released the Fusion X. A commemorative edition marking the 10 year completion of the creation of the dram that took the world by storm.
A wonderful virtual launch co-hosted by Rakshit, Vikram and Ashok. The event was a great session with the members of team Amrut recollecting their late leader and thanking him for the visionary path. A wonderful limited edition bottle (but extremely limited 1010 across the globe).
Abv: 50%
Cask: Ex Bourbon and Sherry butt (2nd and 3rd fill)
Age: NAS but Ashok briefed us at the launch that the liquid was a blend including whiskies 10 years of age.
Bottle: Made from Wade Ceramic another first in India
NFC Tagging: Another first was the NFC tagging the bottle for authenticity!
We are entering a new era and yet again Amrut leats from the front. Tasting notes to follow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnbmX7uFyJc
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.
This legend of a drink with a legend himself, thanks to Krishna Nukala for the time and dramming.
Pay attention folks anything but the standard Laga.
