Amrut Peated Blackadder Raw Cask review

My sample of Blackadder’s Peated Amrut Raw Cask was from the batch of BA14/2012 (62,7% ABV). Amrut’s Peated Blackadder Raw Cask (63% ABV) batch BA18/2013 won Best Peated Whisky 2013 in The Malt Maniacs Awards. The Raw Cask Series contains whisky, that’s been bottled directly from the cask without any filtration.

I don’t have information about the cask types used for this batch from 2012. Raw Cask edition has mostly had batches with sherry cask maturation but also some bourbon casks too. Funny how the version, I tasted, somehow resembled Ardbeg Galileo. Like a stronger and very non-complex version of Galileo. So, could this be a combo of sherry and bourbon cask maturation?

Photo by Best Shot Whisky Reviews

Whisky with OLD SCHOOL touch

I think that Blackadder’s Raw Cask Peated Amrut would have worked better with lower ABV level, as cask strength for example. It gave me an interesting whisky experience. Peaty without any heavy smoke and mouth blowing without water. Raw is just the correct term for this kind of “old school” whisky. That’s why my movie reference is easy, this is as Old School as it gets – surely not a laughing matter, though.

Blackadder states, that Raw Cask is how whisky used to be. Of course it isn’t coloured or chill-filtered but it is “old school” raw. It contains its own share of cask sediments and natural oils and fats. Ensuring the most natural flavor. Those ingredients usually might be left behind, when filling a cask strength whisky straight from the barrel.

Nose: Heavy with peat and phenols. Sweet toffee and strong barley and alcohol feel. Little bit of smoke with earthly notes.

Taste: Sweet and earthly peat dominates. Hints of licorice, salt and vanilla rise after balancing the dram with water. but otherwise the taste .

Finish: Long and powerful, the best part. Sweet peat and barley with warming spices.

Balance: Straight forward and easy (after plenty of water). Hasn’t got much dimensions but still, an okay dram. And certainly, an experience.

Colour: Golden amber
Nose: 19  |  Taste: 20  |  Finish: 22  |  Balance: 21
Overall score: 82

Distillery: Amrut
Region: India
Bottler: Blackadder
ABV: 62,7%
Non-chill filtered, no added colour

Label from a 2010 batch, containing 195 bottles.