Review: Indri Agneya Indian Single Malt

One of the most notable distilleries in India, Piccadily’s Indri has become the largest-selling single malt whisky in India. Its latest release, Agneya, derives its name from the Sanskrit word meaning “belonging to fire.” As such, it’s a lightly peated expression aged in both sherry and bourbon casks, though it carries no age statement. As a reminder, Indri uses 6-row barley instead of the more common 2-row barley for its single malt whiskeys,

“With Indri Agneya, we set out to push boundaries,” says Surrinder Kumar, Master Blender, Piccadily Agro Industries Limited. “We wanted to explore the untapped space between the familiar and the unexpected. Agneya introduces a new conversation, a whisky that hints at smoke and spice, while still retaining the warmth and complexity that defines Indri’s house style. We’re incredibly proud to continue to elevate Indian single malts and secure India’s place on the global whisky map.”

Indri Agneya Indian Single Malt Review

The peat is light here, but it’s certainly present, the nose seeing a whiff of smoldering ash atop a grain-forward core. Fruity notes of Meyer lemon and, with a longer time spent with the glass, orange peel soon come to dominate, backed by almond and walnut notes, later coconut. Thoughts of lemon meringue pie are not out of line.

The palate maintains the theme that the nose evokes, though it’s sweeter than expected on first blush. Brown sugar and honey are muddled together at first, the strong, sherry-driven citrus character building with force closely behind, giving this something of a fruit salad vibe. The ashy peat builds the longer this lingers in glass, complementing the belly of well-roasted barley to give this a distinctly toasty and ultimately wintry character, the peat eventually evoking notes of mushroom and finally creosote. That may sound intense, but brighter fruit notes remain a constant, keeping the whiskey in balance and ensuring a finish that ensures sweet and savory notes work together nicely. A vague whiff of lavender lingers as the whiskey fades away, but it’s the peat that sticks with you the longest.

92 proof.

B+ / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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