A quick review today as I’m quite busy today. After the elections yesterday, it seems that lots of people around here do needs something strong and sweet to cover up their bitterness from the results, so I picked this review from my notes archive: Amrut Portonova Batch 3.

This whisky was matured in new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, then it was transferred to port pipe barrels and then finally transferred back to ex-bourbon casks.

Amrut Portonova (Batch 3) (62.1%, £68.9/€79.9)

Nose: Sweet cherries jam from the port pipes, very bitter dark chocolate and a touch of burnt wood note. Also a mix of menthol, eucalyptus and pine to give it some lighter side.

Palate: Not as sweet as on the nose, yet still thick and jammy with cherries, dark chocolate, bittersweet berries mix and lots of coffee.

Finish: Long finish, sweet berries, coffee and oak.

Thoughts: A rock solid offering from Amrut for those who love port, sweetness and heavy port influence in their whiskies. It’s massive, sweet yet easy drinking and one could finish half a bottle without noticing. Slainte!

(Tasted at Nov 2014 meeting of MMI whisky club )