Cask #: 707 Cask Type: Ex-Rye Date of Filing: July 2015 Date of Bottling: March 2020 Malt Type: Indian Barley Number of Bottle: 1 of 120 Hand selected by Lost Barrel Thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for a generous “sample”, I finally will have my first Amrut. Not sure what to expect. Is this spicy-hot like an Indian summer? Despite a rye finish, the nose is clearly a barley-based whiskey. Quite fruity and floral. Tropical pineapple and coconut. Honeysuckle, pears, apples, caramel. As it opens, a sweet maltiness begins to dominate, added with malt chocolate and hints of dill and pumpernickel. An enticing nose. Despite being bottled and 60%, it softly and gently enters on the palate. That barely sweetness softens and loosens the palate. This makes way for the spice. Starting with a prickly sensation, awakens the palate. Cinnamon and cardamom, black pepper. The liquid is dense and slick. A fair amount of water loosens the dram. The sweetness, quells the prickliness and becomes more approachable. Improved, though slightly, with water. It does, however lose the oily density. That prickle continues through the finish, like Pop Rocks. The sugary sweetness seeps through the prickle. Wood, cinnamon, ginger ride to long finish out. My first Amrut and quite good it is. If this was a blind tasting, it would pass as a Scotch. Similar to Glen Garioch Founders or 12. The backing at 60% doesn’t overpower or detract and sips as 46%. Any rye is undetectable except for remnants on the nose. It does not burst with a plethora of aromas or flavors. However, the minimalist composition is vivid, rich, balanced and most importantly, good and enjoyable. Not what I anticipated. Almost a complete opposite of what I expected. A solid (scotch) whiskey. Thanks again @PbMichiganWolverine. [90/100][Tasted: 2/26/22]