Royal Challenge (75cl, 42.8%)

Royal Challenge is an Indian blended whisky made by United Spirits Ltd, bottled at 42.8% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The blend includes imported Scotch malt whisky and Indian malt whisky, roughly 12% of the liquid, with neutral spirit distilled from molasses. It won a Gold Medal for Best Indian Whisky at the 2011 International Whisky Competition. The nose shows beeswax, caramelised grain, dried flowers and toasted nuts. The palate is smooth and velvety, with honey, custard, caramel and black pepper. The finish is fairly short, with a hint of peat and iodine and a dry pepper note at the end.