Traditionally, Indian whisky has been produced on a small scale, as the production of alcohol from barley was controversial due to widespread poverty and food shortages. However, if there’s one homegrown brand that has stood as a pioneer in the Indian whisky market and made it a global phenomenon, it has to be Amrut Whisky. Amrut Distilleries is recognized for releasing India’s first single malt whisky in 2004. Since then, the brand has continued to thrive, achieving milestones in an increasingly competitive market.
Amrut Whisky: History, Variants, And More
History Of Amrut Whisky
In 1947, JN Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale founded Amrut Laboratories in Bangalore, Karnataka. Following India’s independence, the country’s alcohol licensing laws became more liberal, which allowed Rao Jagdale to obtain distilling licenses. Consequently, he established Amrut Distilleries Ltd in 1948 and began producing Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
The name of this iconic whisky has been taken from Indian mythology and translated from Sanskrit. Amrut is thought to be a mystical, elixir-like drink that granted immortality according to Hindu mythology. With Amrut as the name of the amber colored whisky, it was no wonder that it would appeal to a wide range of curious consumers.
JN Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale rapidly established Amrut as a significant alcohol manufacturer as he secured commercial contracts across Karnataka. The brand also became the main IMFL supplier to the Indian military’s Canteen Stores Department (CSD) in 1962. This contract was a major milestone, as it permitted the sale of Amrut products to personnel in depots across India.
In the 60s, Amrut Distilleries expanded into rum distillation and subsequently brandy distillation in the 1970’s. It was in 1972 that his son, Neelakanta Rao Jagdale joined the company. In 1976, when his father passed away, Neelakanta assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries.
Also Read: Coca Cola Now Has Vodka-Infused Minute Maid
Amrut Whisky: How It Was Made
Neelakanta was a pioneer of sorts when he decided to venture into malt whisky distillation and position the brand as a premium whisky brand in 1982. This was at a time when the majority of Indian distillers were producing whisky using molasses. India was not acquainted with the tradition of drinking single malts so the earliest whisky made was blended with alcohol distilled from sugarcane.
It was also launched through CSD depots with the label of ‘Prestige Blended Malt Whisky’ in 1986. A year later, increased production led to the company opening a new main distillery at Kambipura in Karnataka.
The Birth Of India’s First Single Malt Whisky
On the 24th of August 2004, Amrut Single Malt became the first Indian whisky released in the UK, at a launch event at Cafe India in Glasgow. Amrut Distilleries’ initial challenge was convincing European distributors and consumers to try Amrut whisky, due to perceptions that a quality single malt could not be produced in India.
View this post on Instagram
Rakshith Jagdale, son of Neelakanta Jagdale went to the United Kingdom (UK) to investigate the potential for exporting Amrut’s malt whisky to this country. He reported that a majority of tasters compared Amrut’s taste profile to Scotland’s Speyside region malts. It is in 2004 that Amrut Single Malt became the first Indian whisky to be launched in the UK. While Amrut Distilleries had a major challenge of convincing European distributors and consumers to try their product, the brand soon got a foothold in the market. Many believed initially that a world-class quality single malt would be an impossible feat for India, but Amrut Whisky proved it wrong.
Also Read: 5 Summer Cocktails To Make With Tequila
Amrut’s Global Recognition And Expansion
By 2006, the brand had expanded in many parts of Europe, including Western Europe and Scandivian countries. The previous year, famous whisky writer Jim Murray included Amrut Whisky in his ‘Whisky Bible’ and awarded it a prestigious 82 points. The brand subsequently launched in South Africa and Australia in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Then in 2009, the brand launched the Amrut Fusion Expression, a single malt whisky produced using a combination of 75% unpeated Indian barley and 25% peated barley imported from Scotland. Jim Murray took notice of the same and voted it as the 3rd Best Whisky in the world in 2010, among a selection of 4,000 whiskies! Now that’s a major feat!
Since then, the brand has won numerous awards for its premium single malt whisky and is now a well-known name in the Indian as well as international whisky market.
Amrut Whisky Offerings
The brand has five frontline variants: Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky 46 percent, Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky 46 percent, Amrut Fusion Indian Single Malt Whisky 50 percent, Amrut Cask Strength 61,8 percent, and Amrut Peated Indian Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength 62.8 percent.
Apart from these, Amrut Distilleries has a wide portfolio of limited edition releases. These include Amrut Rajigala, Amrut Greedy Angels, Amrut Amalgam, Amrut Herald, Amrut Double Cask, Amrut Rye, Amrut Naarangi, Amrut Spectrum, Amrut Portonova, and Amrut Kadhambam, among many others.
Summing Up
Amrut Whisky is India’s first and most awarded single malt whiskey and for all the good reasons. With a focus on crafting a premium experience and putting Indian whisky on the global map, Amrut Whisky has significantly shaped the Indian whisky market. So, when are you getting your hands on this premium single malt whisky?
