Recent Opening : Amrut Spectrum
I always feel a little bit guilty when I open a bottle that one of only 1,000 released. It seems almost criminal to consume such a rare animal that only a few have seen or will get the chance to sample.
But there you go. We all have to make sacrifices in the interests of knowledge, and I’m quite prepared to lay my lofty sentiments on the line!
The reality is that various recent family events have worked to empty the open bottles in the cabinet and the stocks need replenishing from the cellar. The Amrut Spectrum has been hiding away for maybe a couple of years, and the magnificent black box it comes in was just a little bit too tall for the shelf where the unopened bottles sit awaiting invitation.
So the Amrut’s time had come to be introduced to an eagerly waiting public – me.
I’ve tried quite a few of Amrut Distilleries expressions over the last ten or so years since they first started arriving in New Zealand. Some, like the beautifully orange-flavoured Naarangi and the rare Kadhambam are quite spectacular, and the cask strength single malt is a good standard dram. The peated version I’m not quite such a fan of, but that’s OK.
But I think the Spectrum is in a very different league! It’s not just the box lined in royal blue velvet that is magnificent – the contents are a very big step up from anything else from Amrut that I’ve tasted.
Technical details (from the writing on the box and the bottle): 700mls, 50% abv. No identifiable age statement.
Initially matured in ex-bourbon barrel, then in a custom-built barrel made from five varieties of oak – new American, French and Spanish oaks, ex-oloroso stave and ex PX stave.:
Colour: 1.8. Very, very dark, darker than Glenfarclas 105 and about the same as Aberlour A’Bunadh. There is a slight pinkish-red tinge at the edges which is reminiscent of a port finish, but I suspect it comes from the sherry staves.
Nose: Spicy, brown sugar, strong Christmas cake with brandy. Maple syrup. Nose score: 9.
Palette: Round and full. The whisky tastes just like it noses, with the rich Christmas cake coming through strongly. There is a very slight hint of vanilla, probably coming from the initial bourbon barrel, and there is pepper on the tongue. The finish is long (and delightful!).
Overall impression: I had heard good stories about the Spectrum from those who had been lucky enough to try it at a tasting.
But Wow! That was not what I was expecting at all! Quite an amazing top quality dram, well worth its advance publicity! It may have to be put in a quiet back corner of the cabinet where hopefully others on the prowl may overlook it and I can just have it myself.
Sadly, knowing my family, that’s not likely to happen. So I’ll just have to keep my eyes open for the next expression!
Overall score: 9.3