About this whisky

Rampur Distillery was established in 1943 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas, and is now home to Radico Khaitan's single malts. The region swings between hot summers, monsoon humidity and cool winters, and that sharp change through the year speeds up the interaction between spirit and oak. Double Cask is matured first in American ex-bourbon barrels and then in European oak sherry casks, and is bottled non-chill filtered at 45% to keep its texture.

Tropical fruit, sweet malt and honey lead the nose, with a little dried fruit and oak behind them. The palate brings dark berries, cinnamon, nutmeg and salted caramel, and the finish is warm and fruity. It is an elegant, approachable single malt that suits relaxed evenings and dinner parties alike, and its handsome bottle makes it a natural choice for wedding and Diwali gifting, especially for someone keen to explore India's own single malts.

Key facts

• Matured in American ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in European oak sherry casks
• Rampur Distillery dates back to 1943, in the foothills of the Himalayas
• Non-chill filtered and bottled at 45%
• The producer credits the Himalayan-influenced climate, with sharp seasonal swings, for the whisky's depth

Tasting notes

Nose:

Tropical fruit, sweet malt, honey, dried fruit and oak

Palate:

Dark berries, dried fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and salted caramel

Finish:

Warm and fruity, with gentle spice

Serve

Neat or with a few drops of water; it also makes an elegant Old Fashioned (60 ml whisky, a bar spoon of sugar syrup, 2 dashes Angostura, stirred over a large ice cube with orange peel).

Food pairing

Lovely with chingri malai curry or a mild mutton korma, and with a cheese board of aged gouda and dried apricots.