This limited edition expression from Arran is finished for 6 months in casks from Château La Conseillante in the Pomerol region of Bordeaux, originally used to mature a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The whisky spends its first eight years in traditional casks.
Nose: A complex and unmuddled sweet smorgasbord of fruit and spice. Mild eraser, pine, freshly washed strawberries, juniper berries, apricot and cinnamon. A drop of water brings out caramel and accentuates the apricot, eclipsing the berry notes.
Palate: The apricot sweetness continues with a warm syrupy mouthfeel . Water exposes eye-popping mayan chocolate - highly recommended.
Finish: Vanilla, pepper, citrus and dark cocoa.
Overall: Surprisingly drinkable for an eight-year-old whisky at 50%abv. $74.95 at the LCBO.
Amrut Fusion is ScotchBlog's first foray into Indian whiskies. Like the Japanese, India is also producing whisky in the Scotch style. Amarut Fusion is made from a mixture of Indian, as well as Scottish peated barleys. They are shipped to Bangalore where they are distilled, and aged in a mixture of fresh and used American Oak casks. Amazingly, a little known fact is that whisky matured in India ages more than 6 times faster than in Scotland. This is believed to be due to the extreme heat and humidity the casks are exposed to. As a result, this whisky is bottled at less than 4 years old.
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