PBMichiganWolverine
Rampur Select Single Malt
Single Malt — India
Reviewed
October 12, 2019 (edited May 20, 2020)
I had a pour of this at a Diwali party this evening. Open bar, sitting next to a Balvenie 12, Paul John, and a Talisker 10. Talisker 10 was undoubtedly the best in the lineup, but I’ve never even heard of this one...so why not, might as well give it a spin.
At this point, Amrut is the de facto standard whiskey out of India, followed next by Paul John. But, Rampur...never heard of it. Apparently, it’s out of the subcontinent’s oldest distillery called Radico Khaitan from Uttar Pradesh. What’s interesting is that Uttar Pradesh’s climate is totally different than Amrut’s Bangalore and Paul John Goa. Bangalore is very Texas like; Goa is more Hawaiian type. While Uttar Pradesh has chilly winters and dry hot summers. So...maybe more like Utah / Colorado. I’d expect less wood interaction than the blistering Bangalore or Goan heat.
Anyway—-tasting this is very much like a Dalwinnie. Honey, cereals, light. It lacks the muscle of Amrut...and the complexity. Very mild and restrained. Maybe a good foray into Indian whiskey, but not something I’d buy anytime soon. Instead, stick with Amrut, or if you want less horsepower, Paul John. Buy, pour, or bust...solid bust.
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@Rick_M actually Greedy Angels is unreasonably priced ...and now so is 004...unfortunately
@PBMichiganWolverine - how about unreasonably priced? :)
@Rick_M I think out of the reasonably priced: Amrut Internediate Sherry ( they take sherry cask, then mature in bourbon, and then back to sherry ), Amrut Rye ( made from Himalayan rye ), Amrut Greedy Angels ( 10 yr old...in Bangalore heat, that’s like 30 yr Scottish ), Paul John Christmas ( oloroso matured ), Amrut 004 ( matured in 4 casks )
@PBMichiganWolverine - thanks, great info! I need to devote more time to Indian whiskey. What would be your top recommendations?
@Soba45 it’s not bad...but just that if you’re going to spend approx $50-70 on it, you can do better.
Ah I on the other hand had heard of this when looking at samples and decided to avoid...although it probably wouldn't have done me any good at a party as I'd almost forgotten what it was like by the time I read your review :-). But then I was like there was one Indian distillery I was avoiding and I'm pretty sure given I don't have a sample it's this one. Thanks for refreshing my memory..haha :-)
@geologyjane fortunately, it was free...might as well experiment.
Oh no, you got burned by an unknown as well. Here’s to hoping the party was fun and your next dram is more rewarding.