Review: Rampur Barrel Blush Indian Single Malt Whisky

It’s been almost a decade since Rampur distillery first began exporting Indian Single Malt Whisky, and they are now starting to expand their range of whiskies. The non-chill filtered Single Malt we are trying today was made entirely with Indian Barley produced by the distillery. Interestingly, after this whisky was aged in ex-bourbon barrels, it was finished in Shiraz wine casks from Australia. The amount of time in casks is undisclosed, but that is the norm with whiskies coming out of India, where the warm weather encourages robust interaction between the distillate and the barrel. The packaging deserves note as the bottle would make a lovely gift, arriving in a silky pink bag within a whisky tube.

I am excited to give this whisky a try. We previously tried Rampur Asava, which was finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks, and enjoyed it very much. In full disclosure, I should admit that I am a big fan of aging whiskies in red wine casks, particularly single malts, and I’m delighted to see it happening more often. Let’s pour a glass and give it a try.

Rampur Barrel Blush Indian Single Malt Whisky Review

This is a lovely dessert dram. The nose offers cereal grains drizzled with honey as well as light notes of orange rind, peach, and vanilla. The aromas are bright and sweet.

The palate follows suit beautifully and introduces additional complexity. Gentle, enjoyable cereal grains come first and linger while lightly sweet honey, vanilla icing, and orange notes join in. Next comes light red wine notes along with a tingly sensation on the tongue that I associate with some of the better whiskies made in the Campbeltown region of Scotland. The finish lingers as orange rind, vanilla icing, red wine notes, and that special tingle slowly dissipate. This is a difficult whisky to put down, and the price is right; my love of aging whisky in red wine casks is reconfirmed.

90 proof.

A / $75

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