Amrut Cask Strength bottled 2007

In November I opened this bottle of Amrut CS. Not just any CS, but one of the 2007 Special Edition bottles produced before it became a standard offering with batch numbers. After tasting this in a miniature years ago, I picked up as many full size bottles as I could find around Calgary (4 in total). I was sure I had reviewed it.

On March 24 I finally got a chance to sit down to do some reviews. I decided to catch up on my Amruts. To my shock I discovered I had not reviewed this. I resolved to correct that straight away. Also in the line-up were 2 single cask expressions, one a sherry cask LCBO exclusive and the other a peated port-matured bottling that was available in Calgary. Those reviews will follow.

I had thought this was the original batch of cask strength, until @maltactivist reviewed an even earlier bottling.

This bottle was just over half full, and gassed after each use (open 4 months and 2 weeks). This expression was allowed it to settle into a Highland Whisky Glass after which I took my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting. I did the nosing of all three expressions before the tasting of all three, and then the impressions with water.

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Nose: 23.0/25

Sweet, slightly spirity. Rich (could that be what others call malty?). Tropical fruit. Green apples. Johnson’s baby powder. Hint of vanilla. Ashok manoeuvre (warming by hand, covered) brings out warm cinnamon, baked apple, a hint of sweet pineapple. Gorgeous nose. Water brings out the tropical notes more, once again enhanced by warming. (23.5/25)

Taste: 21.5/25

Initially hot, with a sour (tropical) development. The second sip brings out vanilla and cinnamon, with apple in the background and some pepper. Water makes this extremely rich, spicy, and fruity, though still a little spirity. (22/25)

Finish: 22/25

Medium long, slightly oaky and peppery. Astringent. No change with water.

Balance: 22.5/25

The nose promises way more than the palate could ever deliver. In all though, very balanced and flavourful unpeated malt.

Score: Neat - 89/100 With Water: 90 /100

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After finishing all three sets of tasting notes I put what was left of the three pours (roughly 10 cc each) into one glass, and let it marry for a few minutes (including some time using the “modified” Ashok method (warmth by computer fan). It’s an interesting mixture. It seems to get the best from each expression. More complexity on the nose, more wine and a little less peat on the palate, with a rich backbone that I think comes from the CS. This one would definitely score in the high 80s.

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Just as I remembered from the miniature I had tried (and thought I had reviewed), this one is just a little more refined than the later versions I’ve tried (I’ve opened 2 later batches). I’m glad I have a few tucked away.

Expressions like this one are what keep Amrut high in my esteem.

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