Amrut PORTONOVA Single Malt Whisky
Amrut PORTONOVA Single Malt Whisky
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Amrut Portonova is an unpeated single malt whisky matured initially in a combination of new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, then transferred to once used port pipes, imported from Portugal and finally back to ex-bourbon casks.
It is aptly named Portonova as there is a town called Parangipettai (Portonovo) on the east coast of India, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, a territory that was under Portuguese control from the 16th to the 18th century.
This single malt is exotic and vibrant on both nose and the palate and it delivers plentiful of raisins, vanilla, cherry liqueur and spices. The effect is the extraordinary smoothness on the finish.
LIMITED RELEASES can be available once or on a periodic basis. These releases include Greedy Angels, AATMA, Kadhambam and more.
Awards & Accolades
2011
Malt Maniacs -Best Cask Innovation (Premium)
Bottle Tasting Notes
NOSE: A thick pudding of a nose; fruit and caramel have merged into one slightly over-oaked soup; burnt apple pie.
PALATE: This is essentially a port pipe sandwich.... and it shows. The spicy, jammy fruit is interwoven through any amount of caramel while the oaky saltiness gets the taste buds both salivating and puckering until you run dry.
FINISH: Long, massive oak with quite evident traces of the virgin barrels now detectable. And more of a cocoa hue as it progresses. At last some muscovado sugars arrive to supplant the berry fruits.
Distillery Notes
Amrut and their many fans, consider Amrut to mean "Elixir of Life". AMRUT means "Immortality" in Sanskrit or in ancient Indian texts it means "NECTAR. Amrut is a Sanskrit word which can be translated as "nectar of the gods", "nectar of life", or "drink of the gods".
AWARDS : Amrut Distilleries have won over 50 international awards for both the distillery and it's Single Malt Whiskies and Rums.
PEDIGREE : AMRUT was the first Indian distillery to export an Indian Single Malt Whisky produced according to Scotch Whisky Association Standards.
CLIMATE : Bangalore or Bengaluru in modern India, experiences a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The city is situated at an altitude of 3000 feet above sea level and usually enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 12 °C (54 °F), and summer temperatures seldom exceed 34–35 °C (<100 °F). The altitude and climate have a profound effect on the aging process and how Amrut works with their Angels.
AGING : Research done in Scotland has shown that Amrut Single Malt Whisky aged in Bangalore, India ages approximately 3.5 times faster than Scottish aged whisky. This is due to the altitude of 3000 ft above sea level and the constant climate temperature of 78 degrees F. If on average an Amrut Whisky is aged for 4.5 years in Bangalore, then it has the smoothness and profile of a Whisky aged in Scotland for 12 - 15 years.
PEOPLE : The company prefers to avoid automation in order to maintain jobs at the distillery. A large number of the employees on the bottling and packaging lines are woman who are considered key income earners in their families.
THE BARLEY used in Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky is 6 row, vs 2 row in Scotland. This results in smaller grains with more flavors and a slightly sweeter taste profile. Barley is 100% Indian grown and comes from Northern States of Haryana, Punjab + Rajasthan.
CASKS : Amrut buys bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace and Jack Daniels. Amrut uses both American new oak and used bourbon barrels in it's aging process.
TIME : Amrut's first Single Malt Whisky made it's debute in Glasgow, Scotland on August 24, 2004. It's first rum was produced in 1950. Amrut Distillieries was founded in 1948 by JN Rao Jagdale and the company is currently operated by the third generation of Jagdale family members.
