Rampur Asava Whisky Review
I find the nose to be lovely on this single malt. The fruity notes I discussed in my review of Rampur Double Cask are there but this time they’re joined with juicy aromas from the wine cask finishing.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Rampur Distillery
- MASH BILL: 100% Indian barley, malted and distilled in traditional copper pot stills by the oldest distillery in India. Non-chill filtered.
- AGE: NAS - No Age Statement. Matured in ex-Bourbon and Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks.
- YEAR: 2022
- PROOF: 90 Proof (45% ABV)
- MSRP: $89.99
POPS' REVIEW OF RAMPUR ASAVA WHISKY
SHARE WITH: Best shared with those with an open mind about what a single malt and acceptable cask finish should be a whisky.
WORTH THE PRICE: I find the $89.99 retail price on this bottle to be well above the drinking experience.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: This is going to be a bar pour for most people unless you have no issue tossing almost $90 out to have a full bottle to explore without trying it first. I think most people that buy a bottle will try a few pours, offer it to friends, and then leave it on the shelf while they return to their favorite single malt for everyday drinking.
OVERALL: I find the nose to be lovely on this single malt. The fruity notes I discussed in my review of Rampur Double Cask are there but this time they're joined with juicy aromas from the wine cask finishing. The balance of these two fruity aromas is perfect but all too quickly the wood/spice notes kick in once again to steal the show in a non-flattering manner. I actually found myself cursing out the wood notes for interrupting the party.
The palate is heavy with malty notes and more spicy oak drowning out the fruity and wine finish before it has a chance to formally introduce itself. There is a brief curtain call from some wine tannins on the finish but they are more bitter than fruity further pushing this one towards the oaky and dry side of things. Not at all what you expect from the description of the whisky.
I have no clue as to why both the Asava and Double Cask suffer from heavy-handed oak and spice but it's a shame. It's a shame it reduces the promise of juicy fruits on the nose to nothing more than a tease. I'm hopeful that Rampur will continue to tweak what they're doing to balance things out a bit more over the years to come.
MATURED IN AMERICAN BOURBON BARRELS AND METICULOUSLY PERFECTED IN INDIAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON CASKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY RESULTING IN A UNIQUE EXPRESSION WITH AN IMPECCABLE BALANCE.
BRAND TASTING NOTES
Matured in American Bourbon barrels and meticulously perfected in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks for the first time in History resulting in a unique expression with an impeccable balance.
Creating history yet again with a royal marriage that is beautifully made in heaven. We have taken the Indus route and perfected this golden nectar in Indian red wine casks.
NOSE: Typical tropical fruity note of Rampur with added notes of apricot, blackberry & plum followed with a faint hint of tobacco and spices.
TASTE: Velvety, manuka honey sweetness highlighted by spicy oak, vanilla and balanced with dryness from Indian red wine.
FINISH: The Indian trail lingers with a medium finish.
Disclaimer: Rampur provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.