From the fruity nuances of Scotland’s Highland numbers to the bold kick of Indian affairs – some of the whiskey world’s most delicious flavours come in bottles labelled ‘single malt.’ Products of single distilleries, they’ve long dominated the hearts and home bars of connoisseurs and whiskey aficionados alike. And while they often come with steep price tags, a few brands in India have options that will only set you back by INR 6000. Here’s our pick of the lot.
Peek the top shelves of most alcohol stores and you’re bound to find a sea of elegant decanters proudly declaring varying age statements. Most hail from single distilleries and are made with 100 percent malted barley. These have an eclectic flavour profile – nutty and creamy to floral and fruity – that’s slightly more pronounced than their amber cousins from other production techniques. Naturally, they’re a popular choice for a good old-fashioned on-the-rocks ritual and often cost the earth. That said, if you’d like to savour them without breaking the bank, a few popular brands have exquisite options to offer. We list out a few single malts in India that are priced under INR 6,000 and are worth an addition to your whiskey repertoire.
Check out our complete guide to whiskies in India
Best single malts for a sophisticated whiskey collection under INR 6,000
Glenmorangie The Original
Home to some of the whiskey world’s most innovative, smooth single malts – Glenmorangie’s bottles are quite coveted. Their original expression lives up to this reputation. First released over 175 years ago, it’s distilled twice in the tallest stills in Scotland before being aged for 10 years in ex-Bourbon American white oak casks. The payoff? A pale gold pour that’s delicate, fruity, and citrusy. Every sip is reminiscent of rich, ripe peaches and vanilla. The finish, meanwhile, is clean with notes of orange lingering.
Price: INR 5,990 approx.
Bushmills 12 Year Old
A renowned Irish brand that’s home to layered, nuanced malts – Bushmills’ 12-year-old expression is a delicious addition to any home bar. Matured primarily in former Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, it pours a deep amber. Every sip of this full-bodied whiskey offers notes of sherry, dark chocolate, and spice. Gentle and approachable, the aroma of dried fruits in this one is unmissable.
Price: INR 5,999 approx.
Paul John Bold
Adding a touch of homegrown goodness to this list, Paul John has given the whiskey world several award-winning single malts. The Bold expression stays true to this reputation. The peated number pours a liquid gold. On the nose are notes of smoke, Manuka honey, and red liquorice. Every sip, meanwhile, is silk-like, with hints of spice and molasses. The finish is light and lingering, with the touch of copper and mocha.
Price: INR 5,900 approx.
Ardmore Highland Single Malt Scotch
Known for smooth whiskies that are an ode to its home – the Scottish Highlands – Ardmore’s bottles are a must-have in any bar. The Legacy expression lives up to this stellar reputation. It’s a lightly-peated single malt that pours a light golden. Every sip offers hints of vanilla, charcoal, honey, and spice. On the nose are notes of cinnamon and toffee. The finish, meanwhile, is lingering and full-bodied, with a distinct silky mouthfeel.
Price: INR 5,500
Amrut Intermediate Sherry
Having led the single malt revolution in India, Amrut is an icon in its own right in the Indian whiskey scene. And its Intermediate Sherry expression is quite popular in connoisseur circles. It is first matured in bourbon casks, then transferred to sherry, and back to bourbon – a sherry sandwich of sorts. The payoff? A fruity sip with hints of moist cake, chocolate, dried fruit, marzipan, and spice. You’ll also discover hints of orange. The finish is long and luxurious.
Price: INR 5,500 approx.
GianChand
Relatively new on the whiskey block – this single comes from Jammu. And the brand boasts nearly 60 years of production experience, making it quite dependable. GianChand is a nod to the founder of the company Dewan Gian Chand as well as local traditions. On the nose are notes of apricots, prunes, and gingerbread. On the palate, meanwhile, are hints of candy, white pepper, vanilla, and bitter chocolate. The finish is long and smooth.
Price: INR 4,490 approx.
Indri Trini
Translated to “the senses,” in Sanskrit, this award-winning single malt is as smooth as they come. Distilled in the Himalayan foothills, it features six-row barley traditionally grown in Rajasthan. They’re manually harvested and selected for malting. Post this, the whisky is fermented and aged in ex-bourbon, ex-French wine, and sherry casks. The payoff? A sunset pour with hints of caramelised pineapple, oak, vanilla, sweet cherry, and honey on the nose. Every sip, meanwhile, is reminiscent of nuts and wood.
Price: INR 5,000 approx.
Which of these single malt whiskeys are you excited to invest in?
All images: Courtesy Brands/Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Although there are several different kinds of whiskey, the four main ones are recognised as Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, and Canadian.
Answer: With the reputation for being the highest quality type of whiskey, single malts are usually quite expensive than other types of drams. However, wallet-friendly options do exist.
Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary for a solo trip across Asia.
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