Review: Camikara Indian Rum – 3 Years Old and 8 Years Old

Camikara is produced in India by Picadilly Distillery (producer of the Indri whisky line) using local sugar cane (not molasses or jaggery, common for the country), making it an unusual agricole style Indian rum. It’s matured in bourbon casks (with no white rum expression available) and is sold in expressions of 3, 8, and 12 years old.

We received the first two for review, so let’s dig in.

Both are bottled at 85.6 proof.

Camikara Rum 3 Years Old Review

Grassy and surprisingly clean on the nose, the gentle petrol character of this rum is well-tempered, allowing a bit of earthiness to percolate. Hints of anise and gentian provide a savory touch, but they are kept in check, the overall aroma being one of a pleasant pasture.

The palate is quite dry and again very grassy, a fairly typical presentation of agricole with a lightly leathery, barnyard-adjacent quality to it. Fruit is present but restrained, evoking flavors of apple chips and salted melon. A gentle woodiness, lightly dusty, informs a rather short and crisp finish. B / $30

Camikara Rum 8 Years Old Review

At 8 years old, the rum immediately shows more sweetness on the nose, the grassy core complemented by notes of coconut, some pineapple, and a funky hogo character that gives the rum a rather wild, racy quality.

The palate is more rounded and fully formed, emerging notes of chocolate, walnut oil, and vanilla all providing a certain exuberance on the tongue. The rum meanders to butterscotch by way of raisin and some dried plum notes. A spray of baking spices, most notably allspice, clings to the rum as the finish arrives. The rum’s initial sweetness fades fairly quickly, leaving the drinker with a mild but pleasant dryness to contend with. Definitely more traditional than the 3 year old. B+ / $48 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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