Intermediate Sherry

The name 'Intermediate' captures the unconventional maturation journey: the whisky begins in ex-bourbon casks, is then shipped to Spain for maturation in sherry casks, and returns to ex-bourbon casks for further aging. This three-stage progression yields a whisky that belongs to neither camp fully, but instead occupies the middle ground—sherry influence tempered by bourbon vanilla, and vice versa.

Amrut, founded in 1948 in Bangalore by J.N. Radhakrishna Rao Jagdale, was instrumental in establishing Indian single malt on the world stage. The distillery's name derives from Hindu mythology, meaning 'nectar of the gods'—apt for a producer that challenged the traditional Scotch and Irish monopoly. Bottled at cask strength (57.1% ABV), this expression demands attention and rewards it.

On the nose, sherry-soaked dried fruits—plums, figs, overripe stone fruits—mingle with sawdust and old-book mustiness, undercut by raw oak and spice. The palate delivers jammy richness: red grapes, licorice, vanilla, and candied citrus, with a herbal edge and charred oak structure. The finish is warm and protracted, with lingering tannins and a subtle nuttiness.