March slipped into April with a wonderful yet HOT journey home to Mumbai, India… then return to a warming Deutschland, where miserable grey rain shifted into welcome sunshine.
This India trip came at a time when many COVID restrictions were lifted and events starting again. What this meant was an opportunity to meet renowned Indian master distiller Surrinder Kumar who was the talent behind Amrut’s journey to global fame and India’s own Malt Maniac Krishna Nakula.
It kicked off with a tasting evening at home with the lads behind SMAC India and Krishna exploring a remarkable range:
- Arran Lochranza Reserve 43% – To whet the appetite
- Hedges & Butler Royal Scotch Whisky 21 year (1950/60s – 1970/80s) 43% – A glimpse into blends of ‘yore’
- Chorlton’s Orkney 22 year (2022) 53.4% – Another Chorlton marvel – a most un-HP like dram – superb!
- Single Malt of India’s Neidhal 46% – Essence of coastal peat bottled in India
- St Kilian Signature Edition 9 (2016/17/18 – 2020/21) 55.3% – Their latest expression
Then was followed by the launch of a new Indian Single Malt – Indri.
Next up was a curious trio of Rum, Tequila and Mezcal finishes from London’s Whisky Exchange with:
- Talisker 8 year (2020) Rum Finish 57.9% – Rum influenced aromas with a disappointing palate
- Kilchoman 8 year (2021) Tequila Finish 53.4% – Harmonious interplay of peat and sweet with an agave twist – great reminder of why it is worth exploring this Islay distillery
- Stauning Rye (2021) Mezcal Finish 46.3% – Danish rye, American oak casks combine with Mexican Mezcal… a curious combination
And finally, the ladies joined me in (re)exploring St Kilian Signature Edition:
- ‘One’ (2016/2019) 45%, ‘Four’ (2016/2020) 48%, ‘Six’ (2016/2020) 47.5%
- ‘Nine’ (2016/17/18 – 2020/21) 55.3%
Whilst April was a busy tasting month for me, March was largely devoted to catching up on prior tastings from my previous trip to India! You would think nothing happens in Europe – which is far from the case as I missed not one not two but three events in Deutschland whilst holidaying in India.
Early 2022, our Bombay Malt & Cigar gents held a fun-filled evening of one of my favorite distilleries – Lochranza – with a quartet of Arran expressions exploring cask finishes:
- Arran Sauternes Finish 50% – A sweet delight with substance
- Arran Amarone Finish 50% – A Turkish delight!
- Arran The Bodega Sherry 55.8% – Rich intense sherry
- Arran Port Finish 50% – Heavy dark fruits, bold and brilliant
I also brought back to Deutschland samples kindly set aside from the Whisky Ladies December 2021 session which featured:
- Bellevoye Red (Grand Cru) 43%
- Michel Courveur “Candid” L 2019018 49%
- Osokye French Single Malt Series No. 4, PX Finish 40.8%
And finally, I shared another remarkable whisky tasting from last year’s Paris trip to Maison Benjamin Kuentz – Inouïe Mélodie!
Curious to know more? Check out a few more monthly summaries:
- Whisky Lady – February 2022
- Whisky Lady – January 2022
- Whisky Lady – December 2021
- Whisky Lady – November 2021
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- Whisky Ladies of Mumbai blog with the continuing adventures of the lovely ladies in India
- Whisky Ladies European chapter insta with our new explorations in colder climes!
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