Whether you are looking for a peaty whisky for formal soirees, an easy weekend sipper on the rocks, or the perfect dram to build your own Old Fashioned, we suggest the perfect bottle for you
Whisky drinkers have never had it so good. Over the past decade or so, the number of varieties made in India has exploded, presenting tipplers with a mind-boggling array of options.
Here are few you want to try in Goa
Amrut Fusion
This is a whisky that comes with Jim Murray’s stamp of approval. The widely respected whisky critic placed Amrut Fusion at No. 3 in the Whisky Bible in 2010. “They produce a whisky that a number of Scotland distilleries pray for,” he had said. Fusion is created from a mix of unpeated Indian barley and peated Scottish barley. These are separately distilled and aged for four years, then ‘fused’ together for three more months. The result is an award-winning spirit that has introduced many people to the splendours of Indian whisky. “This was the first Indian Single Malt I had tasted long ago and was truly impressed by it. On the palate, it has refreshing notes of orange, peppery spice, gentle peat and some chocolate. The fruit and spice linger longer on the finish with subtle marmalade and sweetness. Makes a great ingredient for whisky cocktails such as Rusty Nail or Rob Roy,” explains Jaiin.
Paul John Edited Single Malt Whiskey
This whisky label from the sunny shores of Goa has been delighting whisky aficionados across the world with its supreme balance, distinct character and intense creamy flavours. “This one is my favourites amongst the 3 flagship malts from the Goan distillery. The Edited starts off with a good hint of peat on the nose, gives way to honey and coffee and lingers on to offer a long finish. I like my Edited neat, with one tiny cube of ice if the malt is really warm,” says Ajit Balgi, Wine & Spirit Consultant and founder of The Happy High.
Woodburns
This 100 percent homegrown whisky is the first product of Fullarton Distilleries for the Indian market. A labour of love, this full-bodied dram aged in matured oak wood barrels is distinctively smooth on the palate and rounds off beautifully towards the finish. The charring of the barrels gives the whisky a bold and smoky front balanced with a well rounded peat finish. No wonder it bagged a silver medal in the ‘World Blended Whisky” category at the International Spirits Challenge held in London, a competition which receives over 1700 entries across 70 countries.
