Kuchh Nai NAS (40%, OB, ++/2011)

Kuchh Nai’s unique flavour, its name gives it considerable added value in an Indian context. The deliberate pun in Kuchh Nai, which means “Nothing” in English, will generate a smile at least, bringing humour to the image of whisky drinking.  

Kuchh Nai Scotch Whisky carries a deep amber appearance, with elements of mahogany lights. 

Kuchh Nai’s full bodied aroma, blended with sweet Highland heather influences, lingers long on the palate, instantly displaying the whisky’s fine heritage to the most discerning Scotch enthusiast In its purest form its nose is rich and rounded with good whisky identity and well-integrated aromatics. A trace of peat -smoke is evident, suggesting that Islay malt has been used in the blend. When water is added to this finer blend, this opens up the aromas, bringing out the fruity, eastern character and developing an attractive freshness.  

The taste is smooth and viscous, full and rich. The primary taste is sweet, with a hint of smoke in the finish. Connoisseurs have described the finish of this fine whisky as lengthy. 

The traditional hospitality generously offered to visitors in India is enhanced with an extra dimension of humour with the serving of Kuchh Nai, given the significance of the name in the traditional welcome; 

“Ki Pivon Ge? Kuchh Nai”, which translates as “What would you like to drink? Kuchh Nai (Nothing)”.  

In summary Kuchh Nai is a first rate whisky in the deluxe category. Its richness is described as “old-fashioned”, a rare quality, which has been blended out of most premium blends of today. 

In language terms the words Kuchh Nai mean “nothing”, in whisky terms ” everything” may be a more befitting description. 

All the above from thei website www.kuchhnai.com

A blended scotch whisky which has, on the nose, some pepper, vibrant grain and some well-defined grain whiskies that smooth out after some time and becomes sweeter with espresso grounds. Not overly complicated but it is quite good, unsurprisingly it noses like a blended scotch whisky. The taste is more of the grains with a good dollop of malt in there for character as well has some good heft from some where and then some really very good lemon curd sweetness as well as an astonishing flash of creamed corn. The finish is also quite hefty and active with some good malt and the lemon curd all of which contribute to a lengthy and active finish. A late arrival of some hesitant diesel notes.

This presents as a young Scottish blend well assembled and while it’s not overly complex it is a good dram with a decent (so it would appear) malt content.  This is certainly a good cold weather dram but it will certainly freak out the malt heads because this is undiscovered country for them. There’s a charming sweetness as well as some vibrancy and it works.

For $26 you cannot go wrong.

80 points