Amrut

Introduction:

Amrut Distillery proudly markets its Indian Single Malt Whisky under its own name, Amrut, derived from the Sanskrit language, meaning nectar of the gods or water of life. In a market filled with numerous cheap, no – name Whiskies, Amrut deliberately sets itself apart by offering high – quality premium products. The distillery predominantly uses American white oak casks for maturation, but as its international reputation has grown and demand has increased, they have also started using Sherry casks and other types of casks.

Among their offerings, the classic standard Single Malt is Amrut Indian Single Malt, which is matured for approximately four years and bottled at 46% ABV, without an age statement. This expression boasts sweet and full – bodied aromas of fruits, vanilla, and oak. Additionally, there is a cask strength version of Amrut Indian Single Malt available.

Amrut Fusion combines the best of both India and Scotland, using 75% unpeated Indian malt and 35% peated Scottish malt. The two types of malt are separately fermented, distilled, and stored before being vatted together. Amrut Fusion is bottled at 50% ABV.

Apart from their core expressions, Amrut offers a wide variety of special finishes, single cask bottlings, and other intriguing varieties of Whisky, making them a beloved choice among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The Rum:

Indeed, Amrut has expanded its portfolio beyond Single Malt Whiskies and ventured into the production of Rum. Their Two Indies Rum, produced at the distillery in Bangalore, is a special offering paying homage to the historical Rum cultures and Rum producers of the ‘Two Indies.’ This refers to the West Indies, which includes countries like Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica, and the East Indies, which includes India.

The Rum is crafted using Indian cane sugar jaggery as its base, adding a unique and distinctive flavor profile to the spirit. This choice of ingredient further reinforces the connection to Indian heritage and culture in the production of the Rum.

With this venture into Rum production, Amrut showcases its versatility and commitment to exploring different spirits while maintaining its dedication to producing high-quality beverages that pay tribute to various traditions and histories.

The Production:

Amrut Distillery has an impressive annual production of approximately seven million liters of Whisky. However, only a small portion of this output is allocated for their Single Malt Whisky, with the majority still being used for the company’s blends.

The production conditions for Amrut are quite intricate. The grain used in the process comes from the Punjab and Rajasthan regions in North India, and it takes nearly 40 hours to transport it over a distance of 2,500 km (1,553 miles) to the distillery. Additionally, the barley, which also needs to be malted, takes an additional detour of 160 km (99 miles) via Delhi.

The water used for steeping and mashing also has an extensive journey before reaching the distillery. It is sourced from a local well and delivered by truck. It’s important to note that the water used for cooling the alcohol fumes may not have the same quality as the process water, but it is kept in a separate sealed circuit to prevent it from affecting the final product.

Despite these complex production conditions, Amrut Distillery continues to craft high-quality Whiskies, showcasing their dedication to excellence and their ability to overcome logistical challenges to produce exceptional spirits.

The Pot Stills:

Amrut Distillery follows a double distillation process in pot stills for the production of their Malt Whisky. The wash still has a total capacity of 6,500 liters, but it is never filled to its full capacity. Approximately half of the beer from one fermentation tank is distilled in one run, resulting in a liquid with an alcohol content of 20%.

The liquid from the wash still is then subjected to a second distillation in the spirit still. The spirit still has a larger capacity of 8,000 liters, allowing two batches from the wash still to be combined in one filling. During the slow distillation process, the middle cut of the distillate has an alcohol content of 80% ABV.

The shape of the spirit still, with its large reflux bowl in the neck, facilitates more contact between the alcohol and the copper, contributing to a smoother and purer final product. This design helps in refining the flavors and enhancing the overall quality of Amrut Malt Whisky, making it a distinctive and sought-after offering in the world of premium spirits.

The Mashing:

The Indian six – row barley used by Amrut Distillery differs from the Scottish two-row barley in size and composition. The Indian barley is smaller and contains higher levels of proteins and enzymes. While the majority of the Whisky production relies on Indian barley, a small portion requires imported malt from Scotland, possibly to achieve specific flavor profiles or cater to unique expressions.

Similarly, the water used for mashing at the distillery undergoes a considerable journey. Originating as rainwater in the Himalayas, it eventually reaches a local well, from where it is transported to the distillery by truck. This water plays a crucial role in the mashing process and contributes to the distinctive character of Amrut Whiskies.

The cooling water, however, is in a separate circuit and is of standard quality, not sourced from the special well. This separation ensures that the cooling water does not influence the final product and allows the distillery to maintain consistent quality in its Whisky production.

Overall, the use of locally sourced barley and water from the Himalayas, combined with the import of Scottish malt for certain expressions, showcases Amrut Distillery’s dedication to producing unique and high-quality Single Malt Whiskies.

The Fermentation:

During the production process at Amrut Distillery, the wort is fermented in six closed fermentation tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 liters. The fermentation process takes place over a period of five days. Throughout this time, the fermentation tanks are carefully cooled to ensure a controlled and precise fermentation process, resulting in a clean and aromatic base product for the subsequent distillation.

As the fermentation progresses, the alcohol content in the “beer” reaches approximately 6.5% ABV. This carefully managed fermentation contributes to the development of the desired flavors and characteristics that are crucial for creating the high-quality Single Malt Whiskies that Amrut is known for. The attention to detail in each stage of the production process allows Amrut Distillery to craft exceptional and distinct Whiskies that appeal to whisky enthusiasts around the world.

The Warehouses:

Amrut Distillery stands out with its own cooperage, where they prepare the casks for maturation. This allows them to have control over the quality and characteristics of the casks used in aging their Whiskies.

The hot climate and significant temperature variations in India result in a much faster maturation process compared to cooler regions like Scotland and other European countries. As a result, Whisky matures more rapidly in the multistory warehouses at Amrut Distillery. However, this accelerated aging also leads to a higher evaporation rate, known as the “angels’ share”, which amounts to an average of 12% of the cask contents being lost each year.

Amrut takes pride in their meticulous approach to bottling, and they operate their own bottling plant where much of the process is still carried out by hand. This hands – on approach ensures that each bottle meets the distillery’s high standards, adding a personal touch to their premium offerings. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and the unique Indian climate contributes to the distinctive character and flavor profiles of Amrut Single Malt Whiskies, making them a sought-after choice among whisky connoisseurs worldwide.

The History:

Amrut Distillery was established in 1948 by Shri J.N. Radhakrishna, shortly after India gained independence. The distillery quickly gained success by supplying spirits to the Indian army. Over time, the company expanded and now owns three distilleries and multiple bottling plants.

The main distillery, located in Kambipura, around 20 km (12 miles) from Bangalore, was built in 1987. With a workforce of 450 employees, many production steps, including bottling and packaging, are still carried out by hand, reflecting the distillery’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship.

Amrut Whisky has risen to prominence and is now the most well-known Indian Whisky brand. The brand has received significant recognition through important international awards, further establishing its reputation as a high – quality Whisky producer.

In 2004, Amrut entered the international market by launching Amrut Single Malt, becoming the first Indian Single Malt Whisky to be available internationally. Surprisingly, it wasn’t until 2010 that the Single Malt was introduced in the domestic market. Despite its international success, blends remain the top-selling products of the distillery within India.

Amrut’s journey from a supplier to the Indian army to an internationally acclaimed Single Malt producer showcases their dedication to quality and innovation, making them a notable player in the global Whisky industry.

The Visitor Centre:

Distillery tours are offered at Amrut and can be requested online.

Visitor information:

Amrut Distilleries Private Ltd
Raja Rammohan Roy Road
Sampangi Rama Nagara
Bengaluru
Karnataka 560027
India
Tel: +91 80 22481111
Email: info@amrutdistilleries.com