Rampur Asava

Review #102 Type: Indian single malt Proof: 45% Comments: NAS, American oak matured, finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 You can find the wine influence on the first whiff. Grape skins, vinegar, and red currant candies stand out most. There’s also lemon peel, old wooden boards, and a certain damp mustiness that I can’t quite pinpoint. Palate: 30/40 Slightly watery mouthfeel, but very punchy and sharp. Red wine tannins, oak tannins, black pepper, and sour unripe plumbs. Finish: 29/40 Medium finish. Starts with lots of cinnamon and a little fruit cup cocktail syrup, gradually as this unique combination of flavors subsides it becomes dryer as oak tannins emerge and carry through to the end. With Water: A few drops of water introduces some sweet fresh raspberries to the palate, but the nose and the finish remain unaltered. Total: 73/100 Final thoughts: I think the wine finish unfortunately overpowered the malt on this expression. I remember enjoying the Rampur Double Cask (review #060) much more than this one. Between these two, the character of the distillate seems to do better with the milder influence of ex-bourbon rather than this extremely robust red wine. Price: $75 Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Raisins, grapes and dates nose. Soft and dry. Red fruit saturated oak. Nougat. Thin finish of young oak.