If there is one city in India where craft and collaboration thrive in equal measure, it’s Bangalore. From its pioneering breweries to its globally celebrated single malts, the city has long been at the heart of India’s evolving beverage story. Now, two of its favourite, award-winning brands — Amrut Distilleries, India’s first single malt makers, and Geist Brewing Co., have joined forces to create the Master Distiller’s Reserve by Amrut Distilleries – Stout Cask Finish.
A limited edition with just 224 bottles, this Master Distiller’s Reserve is a single-cask, unfiltered single malt whisky bottled at 46% ABV and finished in ex-stout barrels that once held the Geist Imperial Stout. The result is a truly intriguing whisky for consumers — one that balances Bangalore’s love for craft beer with India’s devotion to single malts, offering rich complexity with flavours of chocolate, caramel and cocoa intertwined with layers of honey, dried dates and gulkand (rose petals) — a finish not seen by Amrut’s Head Distiller Ashok Chokalingam before. It will be available exclusively at select retail stores across Bangalore, priced at INR 7,500.
The packaging design for this limited-edition collaboration pays homage to Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage through a modern lens. Drawing inspiration from the elegance of Mysore silk, the label and box design evoke the fabric’s smooth texture and refined craftsmanship—mirroring the character of the whisky itself. The gold zari border features motifs rooted in the state’s history: Kempegowda’s tower, symbolising vision and endurance; the Mysore Dasara elephant, representing strength and grandeur; and the Kodava Peeche Kathi dagger, a mark of mastery and boldness. Together, these elements reflect the shared pride, precision, and provenance of two homegrown brands coming together to create something distinctly from Karnataka.
A Collaboration Born in Bangalore
The idea began with a shared curiosity between two makers who have redefined their respective categories. Amrut sent freshly emptied whisky barrels to Geist Brewing Co.’s brewery on the outskirts of the city, where the Geist Imperial Stout craft beer was aged, gently absorbing whisky’s unmistakable character (combination of wood and whisky). Once emptied, the barrels returned to Amrut to finish the single malt. The stout was infused with the goodness of the oak and the whisky, while the whisky drew in the beer’s chocolatey, roasted character, creating an exchange of flavours never attempted in India.
Vidya Kubher, Brewmaster at Geist said “When we aged our Geist Imperial Stout in those whisky barrels, we saw a slow, steady transformation. We picked the Geist Imperial Stout because stouts are among the most versatile styles for barrel ageing. They’re bold enough to hold their ground against wood yet accommodating enough to absorb its character — ideal for a long, slow exchange like this. The beer’s roast character softened over time, making way for vanilla, dried fruit and spice. It was incredible to watch those flavours unfold naturally, without intervention.”
Ashok Chokalingam, Head Distiller at Amrut Distilleries added “When whisky remains unfiltered, it gains nearly 20% more aroma and flavour intensity. The mouthfeel becomes richer, and the legs on the glass fall more slowly. It’s as close as you can get to sipping straight from the cask.”
Head Distiller’s Flavour Notes:
- Nose: A vibrant opening of fruit marmalade, leaning distinctly toward orange marmalade, quickly followed by a captivating layer of dark chocolate. Beneath this, a delicate hint of gulkand (rose petal preserve) emerges — soft, floral, and gracefully restrained. Vanilla gently teases through the layers, underpinned by a pronounced note of honeycomb that adds warmth and complexity.
- Palate A bold burst of fruit marmalade greets the palate, accompanied by a rich oiliness — a signature of the infiltration process. The dark chocolate returns, this time luxuriously coated in honey, delivering a velvety, indulgent texture. Syrupy and smooth, reminiscent of golden syrup, the mid-palate transitions into a more mellow phase, with the rose petal note from the gulkand reappearing — subtler now, but still enchantingly floral.
- Finish: A sparkling, spicy finish that lingers beautifully. Warming, vibrant, and satisfying — it leaves a lasting impression of depth and elegance.
