Amrut Kadhambam

Rating: 19/23 This came fairly strongly recommended and I like the other Amrut offerings that I tried, so I'm optimistic. Also, the multiple cask aging is intriguing, particularly since it uses not only oloroso and brandy, but also rum. N: This has a drier, tarter nose than I expected. It's kind of floral with some vanilla and an interesting musty smell. There's a hint of light spiciness that reminds me a bit of Copper Fox Rye in its herbal, funky way. It's a very full nose and I quite enjoy it. It makes a statement, but it fits together nicely as well. This is a nose with personality and aside from its similarity to Copper Fox, there's nothing to suggest its almost certain youth. P: Wow, this has quite a palate! There's an immediate tartness that's kind of fruity and tannic with a treated wood and menthol presence, but it gives way to sweeter flavors with malt, caramel, vanilla and whole assortment of tropical fruits. The complexity is really amazing here as it explodes and waves of flavor come across. The tartness and bit of menthol stay throughout. With the kind of herbal flavor, the menthol suggests a bit of peat. It's hot, but not really spicy and it certainly isn't harsh. It's a reasonable heat for 50%. F: It has an interestingly bourbony character to the finish. There's a lot of vanilla with wood and caramel, as well as a clear tartness. Some references to tropical fruits remain, but they've largely died out. There are some wisps of smoke in with the wood. It initially reminded me a lot of the Kavalan Soloist Port Cask, but side-by-side the nose of the Kavalan has a lot more barrel and funk to it, whereas this displays more malt. The Kavalan is also way more in your face and really explodes with funk and port sweetness on the palate. The thing that does seem very similar though is the tannic tartness, which both have as a primary component, as well as plenty of tropical fruits. Even with substantial water, the Kavalan is one hell of a bomb, whereas this is just starting to form the suggestion of being a bomb. It's a tough call between the two, but I'd say that the Kavalan slightly edges this out. The sweet and smoky combination also suggested that Johnnie Walker Green would be a good comparison. Likely due to its lower proof, the Johnnie Walker is a tad watery in comparison. Johnnie Walker's flavor also tastes a bit off in comparison and its flavors come across as comparatively muddled. Between the two, I have to give a fairly decisive win to the Amrut. Considering how it did against the Kavalan and Johnnie Walker, I should be rating this in the 18-20 range; however, it's been several months since I opened the Kavalan and now that it's been open for 6-8 months, it has mellowed substantially and the complexities really stand out, so I think I underrated it a little bit before. Therefore, I'll need to re-taste it (what a tragedy!) and this is more like an 18-21. Given how soundly it beat Johnnie Walker, I'm thinking at least a 19, but 21 seems to be pushing it. So I'm borderline 19 to 20. Either would be a fantastic rating, but I am really torn. I think it's only a hair better than the Amrut Fusion, so I'm settling on 19.

This has taken me a while to get to a review on. I'm not sure why but I'm about 15% through the bottle once this healthy review pour is finished and I'm somewhat sure I know where this will go but as always I review my glass. Nose - The first thing I get is texas./amrut...they're so similar. ThE element of cinnamon and burned earth. You can't get past this. From there I get raisins and a lot of oak elements with hints of a lot of stuff. Yes, the detailed "stuff" message lol. Taste - Dusty chalky notes of oak, and sugar and earthy and just sweetness. Then turns to this rich brandy and chocolate and fruity rum with elements of oak and nutmeg. What is this? lol. This reminds me almost of an infinity bottle. Adding some water and the wine notes are increasing the richness and depth are still here. Not as gritty and dusty in the mouth or nose. Still a mouth coating and intense experience. Anyway nose doesn't wow me. It's a big less than amazing. It's just not rich or complex. But THEN we get to that flavor and MAN....it's explosive. I'm in this odd place where I should give more notes as they go on forever but read the label. You'll get that and that texas/amrut element and it's so much more than you'd expect at 50%. OK so the negative is that it's kinda young. There's this element of youth that just won't leave it. it's somewhat hidden neat as you get this bigger mouth feel thing that hides it. Bottom line, a flavor bomb, so complex and so over the top that it's a bit disjointed. 3.75 though for me....I'm 88 range here...no it's not old amazing whisky it isn't the fusion x but damn dude. It's good. But if you're not someone who's into flavor over smooth or lack of youth notes or all that....this won't score as well.

Amrut is one distillery that i love. Everything they do is amazing and this Kadhambam is no exception. The name of this expression is the Tamil word for "Mixture" and it is matured in blue brandy casks, Oloroso Sherry butts and Rum barrels; a promise for a complex whisky. Bottled at 50%abv, beautiful copper color. On the nose, right from the moment you uncork the bottle, it gives you this feeling that you are in the presence of something truly special. Thick sherry  syrup; Crazy good aroma. Coffee and molasses, pineapple and coconut (the rum barrel hit here). Glazed pork. After a first sip it gave me lemon and caramelized oranges. Heavy lemon zest and condensed milk. On the palate it was amazing. Starts quite sulphuric and almost peaty, with leather notes. Red fruits and cognac. Vanilla cake, prunes and lulo fruit. Aftertaste was magnificent as well. Lots of earthy profiles here: a leather wallet, salt and pepper. Very winey and dry. Ginger. After a third sip it gave me a wonderful peaty/ashy note that took me to heaven. Overall, this is a fantastic whisky. I don't think it is overly expensive, goes for $120 if you have a normal skill in searching for online whiskies, and it is very hard to beat at that price point. Super complex, delicious, with a fairly amount of power; the mixture between the peaty, brandy, rum and sherry flavors is very well delivered. Amazing dram, i don't really feel i can deduct points anywhere here, so, perfect score. 100 over 100. P.S.: don't you really love when you find a whisky that blows your mind?

Thank you @ContemplativeFox for sharing a dram with me! Appearance: Golden honey color. oily. Nose: Surprisingly not very alcoholic or peaty. Fairly clean smelling with some saltiness. Mouthfeel: Rather thin especially in comparison to Amrut Fusion. Flavor: I want to say figs, but I am not sure. This does not jump right at me as figgy but its close. Its something, maybe something I have never tasted before, but its distinct. I know that is so unhelpful. There is slight cinnamon but not hot or spicy per say. There is definitely some sherry and leather in here along with some various fruits such as cherry and plum. Then there are the wood notes that stand out. I am a bit perplexed at how to accurately describe this one but it does have complexity! I will have to revisit this. Conclusion: I personally prefer the heavier more creamy fusion but this is delicious as well. I can easily see how many would prefer this over fusion due to its myriad of flavors and to be honest I think it is my mindset today. We are looking at gloomy cold weather and I really enjoyed the deep sweet creamy flavors in fusion. I will rate this the same as Fusion however until I can do another small tasting. That means a 3.5 between good but not going to buy and SOLID Will add to wishlist / buy.

Not to bad. Tried at Dramfest 18 and I'd give it a 3.25. My palate was getting a bit stuffed though so might be higher on a good day. Spectrum was definately better Ok update 2 years later Dramfest 2020. Woah now this was awesome, not sure why I gave it such a low score prior but on both festivals I tried it at the end of day two many many drams in so highly likely I mixed up my notes. This was really good dram. Not in the league of Chairman's reserve but 4.25 to 4.5 territory easy..

Batch 12. Fantastic mixture. Nose: Raisins, Chocolate, Apricots, Honey, Pineapples, Mangoes, Passion Fruit, Sultanas, Oranges, Almond Cake, Figs, Luxardo Cherries, Dates Palate: Honey, Smoke, Sultanas, Oranges, Raisins, Grapefruit, Toffee, Figs, Plums, Violets, Dark Chocolate, Prunes, Blackberries Finish: Oranges, Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Prunes, Dates, Salted Caramel, Violets, Luxardo Cherries, Raspberries