Whisky Release 2025 | Ambrosia India

At 689 by The Quorum in Gurugram, whisky enthusiasts gathered for an evening with Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible. On the table were two rare releases from Indri: the Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old Single Malt and Agneya, both already acclaimed despite limited numbers.

Murray immediately challenged habits. “How many of you add ice?” he asked. A few hands lifted. “Don’t,” he cautioned, explaining that ice dulls aromas and leaves bitterness. Even water, he argued, reduces whisky below strength.

He then guided the audience step by step: warm the glass in your hand, trap aromas until condensation appears, breathe gently from the rim, and never rush the first sip. “Only the second mouthful speaks,” he said, urging guests to chew the spirit, part their lips, and notice how flavours unfold. Balance, he stressed, was key—fruit against oak, sweetness against spice. “A whisky like this deserves an hour.”

The Blender’s Craft

While Murray led the masterclass, the whisky itself reflected the work of Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender at Piccadily Agro Industries Ltd. In a private interaction with Ambrosia, Kumar spoke about creating the Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old.

“We worked with six-row barley for a robust spirit,” he said. “Ex-red wine casks from Bordeaux added dried fruits, berries, spice, and tannins.” With nearly 1,500 barrels to choose from, Kumar blended fruity, spicy, and chocolate-led profiles into one balanced expression. “I want first-time tasters to sense that harmony—red fruits, oak, chocolate, vanilla, spice—distinct yet tied together.”

Recognition and Release

The Founder’s Reserve 11-Year-Old is bottled at 50% ABV for India and 58.5% for export. Its profile moves from dark fruits and spice to vanilla, chocolate, and a wine-driven finish.

The release honours Pt. Kidar Nath Sharma, founder of the Piccadily Group, and has earned global recognition: Gold at San Francisco, Platinum in Las Vegas (98 points), eighth at the International Whisky Competition, and medals in New York, Whiskies of the World, and IWSC.

Only 1,100 bottles exist, split between India and select global markets—a rare expression of Indian terroir and craftsmanship.

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Glasgow Distillery has announced the release of its second limited 10-Year-Old single malt, to mark a decade of whisky production. This special edition has been bottled in collaboration with one of Scotland’s leading whisky retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies. The limited release (340 bottles) to be released at Whisky Fringe in Edinburgh, will be available on royalmilewhiskies.com from August 11.

Glasgow 1770 10-Year-Old Sauternes Cask Matured is a single cask, unpeated single malt fully matured in a re-fill French Sauternes sweet wine barrique. The result is a fruity, delicate whisky with notes of poached pear, salted caramel, honey and tropical fruit, with a hint of cinnamon spice.

The bottling follows the inaugural 10-Year-Old release, which sold out in under twenty minutes in March and July’s trio of Small Batch Series expressions also matured in wine casks.

“It’s a big year for us at The Glasgow Distillery, as we celebrate 10 years since our first casks were filled. This is a truly special 10-Year-Old release, an American white oak cask that previously held Sauternes wine. Being a refill barrique, the Sauternes influence is present but not overpowering, adding depth and flavour, resulting in a perfectly balanced single malt while still showcasing our decade-old spirit. The caramel and malty characters of the American oak are complemented by the rich poached pears and tropical fruit imparted by the Sauternes wine, creating a harmonious balance of whisky and wood,” said Mike Hayward, Founder

“We’re delighted to have collaborated with The Glasgow Distillery on this exciting release. We’ve long supported the new wave of Scottish distilleries, and The Glasgow Distillery has firmly established itself as one of the most innovative and inspiring producers right now. Their diverse core range, along with an impressive Small Batch Series, showcases great flavour quality and accessibility. It’s no wonder they’ve built such a passionate community around their whiskies.”

“This single cask marks their first 10 years of whisky making and is one of the most interesting examples of Sauternes cask matured whiskies I’ve tried recently, showcasing a balance of fresh apricots, salted butterscotch and honey. We’re proud to be launching it exclusively at the 23rd edition of Whisky Fringe this year at Mansfield Transquair, where The Glasgow Distillery will be joining fellow established distillers in the main hall for the first time,” added Sam Brabbs, Head Spirits Buyer at Royal Mile Whiskies

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Notes of runny honey and rich vanilla with hints of floral orange blossom leading to baked apple pie, stewed pears and dried apricot.
Palate: Honeyed sweetness and notes of vanilla pods meet Seville orange marmalade, ripe mango, rich toffee and baked fruits, all underpinned by a welcome lasting minerality.
Finish: Rich, with a nutty oiliness alongside sweet butterscotch, baked banana, earthy nutmeg and a warming ginger and cinnamon spice.

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Glasgow Distillery’s Limited Release of 1770 10-Year-Old Single Malt