Tag Archives: Amrut

Two Indies Rum Review

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The rum market is experiencing significant growth, but have you ever tried rum made from jiggery? In this article, we will delve into a review of Two Indies Rum, crafted by Amrut Distilleries, the renowned Indian whisky maker known for putting Indian whiskies on the global stage. Interestingly, Amrut doesn’t just produce Two Indies Rum; they also offer another exceptional rum called Old Port Deluxe Matured Rum. However, our focus today is solely on Two Indies Rum, especially as the winter season approaches, making it the ideal time to explore quality rums. This spirit is priced at ₹1,700 in Mumbai, ₹2,200 in Bangalore, and a wallet-friendly ₹850 in Goa. Furthermore, it’s readily available in numerous states.

Why the name?

The Two Indies Rum was actually conceptualised by the now late CMD Shri Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, wherein he was keen to bring a fusion of two rums, a concept that Amrut has also brought to its whiskey’s. The rum is a tribute to India, its farmers and also to the West Indies, which is where Rum originated from. And because this is blended with matured rums that come from these two countries, it got its name ‘Two Indies Rum’. This rum has won a few international awards and also won the Ambrosia Award for the best premium rum in 2021.

Blend

This rum has an interesting and unique story when it comes to its blend. It uses Caribbean rum, specifically from Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana, which are sent to the Amrut distillery unit in Kambipura, Bangalore where it is mixed and blended with Indian rum, aged about 3 years or less. Also this is made from ‘jaggery’. This approach is pretty different from most manufacturers making rum. For instance, you have rums that are made from molasses, which is used in this also btw. Then you have rum made from cane juices, which is a popular concept. But jaggery is used in making most Indian sweets. So in this case that is the unique blend, which might make this sweet and perhaps this is the only rum in the world that is made out of jaggery.

The Spirit is distilled in both pot and column spirit stills such that the natural congeners of molasses are retained and then skilfully blended after maturation in select oak wood barrels that give a dash of sweetish oakiness on the palate. The rum is made by blending it with molasses ENA and no artificial flavouring has been added, although the bottle says that permitted colours are.

Packaging

It’s a nice looking bottle, at first glance the bottle actually reminds me of the Gianchand Indian Single Malt, of course Two Indies Rum was launched before that. This is also its new packaging and new avatar, which came in 2020. Earlier this use to come in a different bottle. This is a rum like bottle and the words Rhum-Ron are written since the Caribbean’s has the influence of both French as well as Spanish former colonies. It has 42.8% ABV and the bottle is nice and sleek.

Nosing

Coming to the nosing, you’ll notice a sweet scent, and it’s pretty strong at 42.8% alcohol. There’s also a hint of nuttiness in the background, but you might need to take a closer sniff to pick it up because the overall dominant aroma is sweetness with some spice notes.

Tasting

The rum has a nice taste – it’s not too mild or too strong. It’s just right, and it gives you a nice kick of flavour without being too much strong. When you sip it, the taste sticks around, and you can feel a bit of spiciness in your mouth. At first, you might notice a bit of banana flavour, kind of like when you eat the skin of a banana. It also makes your throat feel a little dry, which means it’s a dry drink. There’s also a tiny hint of saltiness, like the taste of nuts with a pinch of salt, but it’s not too strong. One cool thing about this drink is that it starts with a bit of sweetness from the wood it’s made from, like oak. The sweetness starts small and then gets spicier, so it changes as you sip it, and that’s what makes it interesting.

Conclusion

What do we think about Two Indies Rum? Well, let’s talk about rum and how people feel about it. Just like with whiskey or vodka, many people usually have their favourite brands. Some people prefer Old Monk, while others like a stronger taste, especially in the winter. But Two Indies Rum is a bit different. It’s like those fancy single malt whiskeys – it’s an acquired taste. It might not be the rum for everyone, especially if you’re used to regular, mass-produced rums. But if you’re a rum enthusiast and appreciate high-quality products, you should definitely give Two Indies a try.

Amrut Spectrum 004 Review

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Amrut Spectrum 004 is a single malt whiskey from India that has been making waves in the international whiskey market. Amrut Spectrum 004 is also a limited edition single malt launched for Rs. 12,999. In this article, we will be reviewing the Amrut Spectrum 004. We will explore its flavour profile and discuss its unique characteristics that make it stand out among other whiskeys.

We have received the Spectrum 004 in a unique launch package and stands out as the world’s first single malt whisky aged in a multi-wood barrel. Unlike traditional single malt whiskies that are matured in casks made from a single type of oak, Spectrum was matured in a barrel made from staves of four different types of oak, earning it the name “004”.

Adding to the exclusivity of Spectrum is its limited release, with only 6600 bottles produced. Out of these, only 600 will be available in Bengaluru, with the remaining 6000 bottles set for sale across Europe, the USA, and the Asia-Pacific region. This rare availability only enhances the prestige of this one-of-a-kind single malt whisky.

Spectrum underwent a unique two-step maturation process. First, the new make spirit was matured in an ex-bourbon cask, then the aged spirit was transferred to a Spectrum cask, made from a combination of different types of oak: new American oak with char level 3, lightly toasted new French limousine oak, ex-oloroso sherry cask staves, and ex-PX sherry cask staves. This carefully crafted process results in a complex and layered whisky with a depth of flavour like no other.

We are thrilled with the recent experimentation and innovation in Indian whisky-making, and it is exciting to see brands like Amrut pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This marks an important moment in the industry, where there is a growing need for more ambitious and innovative brands to emerge. We believe that this will lead to a vibrant and diverse landscape of exceptional Indian whiskies, one that truly showcases the passion, creativity, and expertise of India’s distillers.

On the nose, Spectrum 004 exhibits a delicate blend of vanilla and coconut, with a subtle hint of toffee. On the palate, the whisky showcases a distinctive coconut flavour, with a bold hit of spice and a touch of sweet vanilla and toffee notes. The finish is smooth and long-lasting, with a lingering spice that lingers on the throat. This unique combination of flavours and aromas make Spectrum 004 a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Conclusion

So what’s our take on Spectrum 004? We believe it’s truly unique, with a delicious blend of dried fruit, coconut, sweetness, and spiciness. It’s a prime example of the new wave of premium malts being produced in India, and with a limited edition of only 6,600 bottles, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection. Don’t miss out on this exceptional and rare whisky experience.

Amrut launches Fusion X (ten)

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To commemorate and celebrate its Late CMD N R Jagdale legacy

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the brands flagship Single Malt Whisky – the Amrut Fusion, the company launched its ultra-limited-edition Single Malt whisky – the Amrut Fusion X (ten) yesterday. The Fusion X also commemorates the legacy of the their late CMD Neelakanta Rao R Jagdale with the launch timed to celebrate his birthday.

The reason we call it an ultra-limited-edition is due to its availability of only 1010 bottles worldwide. And in India only 60 bottles will be released in Bengaluru at a price of Rs. 15000 per bottle at select retail outlets.

Amrut Fusion X Ceramic Bottle

Amrut Fusion X is a combination an ode to the company’s past and also their vision for the future. The whisky has been created after further maturing Amrut Fusion for a period of 4 years in a Px-Sherry casks, adding a dimension to the whisky unlike ever before, taking the total age of the spirit to nearly 8-9 years. It also comes packaged in a special ceramic bottle that features a sketch of their late CMD, Mr. Jagdale along with number of other important highlighted places on the bottle, that have played a key role in the journey.

The bottle is a culmination of talents from three countries, which includes India, England and Portugal. With the spirit coming from India, the special ceramic bottle has been crafted by Wade from England and the cork is handpicked and shipped from Portugal.

The Fusion X is also the first time that any alcobev product in India has integrated an NFC chip on the bottle that can be scanned using a smart device. Buyers can tap the NFC chip to verify if the bottle has ever been opened before. It also provides detailed information about the whisky and users can provide feedback of the same as well.

Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director, Amrut Distilleries said ‘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.’

The bottle comes in a lush velvet jacket and is surely something worth collecting.

Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, Amrut Distilleries MD passes away at 66

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Neelakanta Rao Jagdale, Chairman & Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, breathed his last this morning after a brief period of illness. Born in Bangalore, Neelakanta Rao R Jagdale was the second son of Late Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale, an illustrious industrialist of the State of Karnataka who was also the first President of the Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishat. He was the Chairman and Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries Private Limited.

As a Second-Generation entrepreneur, post his graduation in Science, Jagdale had been at the helm of affairs of various divisions of the Jagdale Group, more particularly Amrut Distilleries Private Limited. With professional experience of about 38 years, Amrut recently entered global distinction when Amrut Fusion was rated as the third finest Malt Whisky of the World by Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible 2010. Amrut was one of the 1st Indian Single Malts to make it to the World Whiskies list and  due to Mr. Jagdale’s enormous contribution, is known for its famous brand of single malt whisky, which is the first single malt whisky to be made in India.

He along with the senior members of Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishath had a huge responsibility of carrying forward the mission of the Parishath founded in 1974 by his late father Sri Radhakrishna Jagdale. His mission was complete by 1992 when he served as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Parishath and was instrumental in structuring the Parishath’s constitution and development.

Furthering his philanthropic sphere from community to a national cause, he took up the development of the sport of swimming in late 1980s and established the Basavanagudi Aquatic Center in 1987 which is now one of the leading swimming centers in the country and Asia with over 500 children taking part in the sport of swimming, contributing to the excellence of the sport at the State, National and International levels. Notable swimmers such as Nisha Millet and Rehan Poncha, who went on to represent India at the Olympics have emerged from the BAC aquatic center.