Amrut – Portonova Indian Single Malt (70cl, 62.1%)

An unpeated Indian single malt from Amrut in Bengaluru, matured in three stages. It starts in new American oak and ex-bourbon casks, moves to once-used port pipes from Portugal, then returns to ex-bourbon casks for its final maturation. It was bottled in 2023 at 62.1%, without chill-filtering or colouring. The name refers to Portonovo on the coast of Tamil Nadu, which was under Portuguese rule from the 16th to the 18th century. The nose is dense, like a fruit and caramel pudding, with strong oak and slightly burnt apple pie. Spiced jam fruit and plenty of caramel lead the palate, with salty, drying oak. The long finish is oaky, with cocoa and muscovado sugar replacing the berry fruit.