Exceptional Rarity and a Truly Monumental Rival to Kavalan
Amrut 8 Year Old “SCWC Exclusive” Ex-Port Pipe #4672 Unpeated Indian Barley Single Malt (750ml) ($200.00)
“This stuff is TNT. It’s the type of bomb that any sherry head or even bourbon lover will appreciate. No one comes away from this one unscathed.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

For those of you who got in on our recent offer of the stunning Amrut 6 Year Old K&L Exclusive Sherry Cask (and there were many of you), you’ll be thrilled to know we got our hands on a second cask from this iconic Indian distillery that’s even more explosive. The 6 Year Old took the intensity to 11, but this 8 Year Old Ex-Port Pipe just broke the dial entirely. Originally sent to the SoCal Whisky Club, we are beyond fortunate to be able to offer it at K&L, and it stands as one of the most monumental single malts we’ll offer in 2021. Rivaling the very best South Asian cult-collectible single malts, specifically Kavalan, at a fraction of their prices, this mind-blowing bottling captures a level of complexity and extraction after just eight years in barrel that few, if any, Scottish single malts can achieve after 30 years’ ageing. It all has to do with the unbelievably hot and humid subtropical environment in which these barrels rest. Spirits buyer David Othenin-Girard declares, “the sheer power and intensity here are nearly unprecedented.” So is the price. While not inexpensive, it comes to us at a staggering bargain relative to its contemporaries, and any single malt collector should jump at the chance to add this remarkably rare and singular whisky to their repertoire.

Amrut 8 Year Old “SCWC Exclusive” Ex-Port Pipe #4672 Unpeated Indian Barley Single Malt (750ml) ($200.00)

K&L Notes: This unbelievable single cask was selected especially for the SoCal Whisky Club, but they’ve graciously allowed K&L to offer this exceptional barrel to our customers. The wonderful distillery in Bangalore has never before offered single casks in the US, so snagging this one at eight full years of age was an absolute coup. Eight years in the heat in Bangalore is like 30+ in Scotland. This whisky, more so than even the Oloroso bottled exclusively for K&L, is reminiscent of the other great tropical malt producer, Kavalan. The sheer extraction that’s been achieved, both from the wood and the wine, is simply not possible in the Scottish climate, and this is ultimately the closest thing to any of the Taiwanese cask-strength whiskies that we can get right now. And while the price may seem high, it is only a fraction of what Kavalan sells their Solist Port Cask for and more than $100 less than Amrut’s own 8 Year Old Greedy Angels bottling that we carried several years ago. For anyone looking for a powerful wine influence, and a true BOMB of the highest order, there is nothing on the market today at any store in the US that beats this exceptional barrel in terms of extractive intensity and depth of flavor.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 17, 2021

This 8-year-old Amrut is exactly the type of whisky that gets people excited about a new distillery. Not that Amrut is new by any means, but the two casks we’re offering now are the very first single casks EVER sold in the US by the venerable Indian distillery. The lack of these sorts of offerings is honestly why I believe more hardcore whisky fanatics don’t consider Amrut to be in the top tier. It’s not because that can’t make great older whiskies, but rather when they do, they’re so limited and expensive no one can get to taste them. That’s not to say that this whisky isn’t expensive, but compared to equivalents from this distillery and the few others like it, it represents a very good value. I was so happy that they agreed to sell it to SoCal Whisky Club, because they would only allow me to buy one barrel at a time! And now we get to sell both! Let’s taste it. The color is dark brown sherry with reddish glints. The nose is just a massive explosion of aromas of stewed red fruit, exotic wood, earthy bay leaf, heady nutmeg grinds, and the finest roasted arabica beans. On the palate, the sheer power and intensity are nearly unprecedented. Only Kavalan can match this absolutely explosive entry, filled with rich black cherry, pungent cinnamon, sweet and savory treacle syrup, dark roasted coffee, and pine resin. It doesn’t have the tannic bite that some of the Kavalans have but has all the length and texture. This stuff is TNT. It’s the type of bomb that any sherry head or even bourbon lover will appreciate. No one comes away from this one unscathed.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 03, 2021

This might be THE whisky of the Christmas season. Don’t let the 8-year age statement fool you; the extraction here leaves whiskies at triple the age in its dust. Honestly, there is so much flavor here that it’s difficult to unpack, which should tell you all you need to know about how exceptional and worthwhile it is. But I will do my best to expound further. Another bottling that fills a room with its heady, intense bouquet, this malt looks noticeably thick and sticky in the glass. Candied nuts, ripe figs, dark plum, mouthwatering licorice, and toffee all but overwhelm the senses. It drinks like a Christmas cake loaded with spice and made with the finest barley flour imaginable. It’s so decadent and rich that you don’t notice the high proof, and therefore it doesn’t really need water, but you’ll be rewarded for adding a couple of drops to lengthen everything out so you can taste it more clearly. Tea and citrus bloom from the glass, and the palate reveals dried mango, sultanas, sandalwood, berries galore, and allspice. What I can only describe as magic pulls everything together in a tightly bound package with a beautiful bow. With so much going on, I worried it would be overwhelming, but it remains not only cohesive, but also utterly delightful. Whether you’re a die-hard Scotch fan or someone looking to break into the category, this is a tremendous offering that everyone should enjoy. Happy holidays!