That India is a whisky loving nation is no secret. A country that is among the top Spirits consumers of the world stands well justified for its love of the golden dram as for its lip smacking golden Tandoori Chicken. Needless to say, Scotch Whisky forms a very important part of this scenario. Indians have always loved their “Scotch” – a perpetual advantage, notwithstanding the availability of the country’s homegrown premium whiskies or other global brands.
It therefore made sense for VBev– a relatively new Wine and Spirit importer of the country to augment their portfolio with some leading Scotch whiskies. VBev have brought in The Dalmore 12 YO (Years Old), Jura 10 YO and a blended whisky John Barr Reserve– all from the Glasgow based Whyte and Mackay, which incidentally is also the fifth largest Scotch whisky producer of the world.
At tastings conducted in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, VBev showcased the newly introduced whiskies where Stephen Martin, Global Single Malt Specialist Whyte and Mackay arrived to highlight the whiskies with due diligence. The New Delhi tasting that I attended, happened at the Pling lounge bar at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity where whisky and conversations flowed with the same fluidity as the elaborate finger-food spread that kept hunger pangs, if any, at bay.
In attendance at the event were Sumedh Singh Mandla CEO VBev, Ashish Monga Area Director Middle East, India and Africa, Whyte and Mackay and Arun Kumar, Director Aspri Spirits Pvt Ltd..
Whyte and Mackay- a rich legacy
Many would probably know that Whyte and Mackay whiskies had an earlier stint in India through United Spirits Ltd (USL) – the then largest domestic liquor company that was subsequently acquired by liquor giant Diageo in 2014. In this second coming, the new partners hope to tap the rising economic prosperity among the middle class and millions of new consumers entering the legal drinking age each year in the country. In the words of Ashish Monga :
We’re delighted to be partnering with VBev as we focus our efforts in this key growth market where there are huge opportunities for The Dalmore and Jura. We look forward to establishing The Dalmore as the apex malt available in the finest outlets in the world. With the growing number of consumers in India with increased purchasing power, we hope to see Jura expand and recruit new drinkers faster than any other single malt.
Whyte and Mackay distributes its portfolio in over 50 countries and India is the latest addition to their export markets. Monga added that VBev and Whyte & Mackay are also working towards adding more expressions and brands to the portfolio in the coming months.
The overall brands in the Whyte and Mackay portfolio include their flagship Whyte & Mackay and Shackleton Blended Scotch whiskies, The Dalmore, Jura, Tamnavulin & Fettercairn Single Malt whiskies and Glayva Liqueur.
Tasting Whyte and Mackay Whiskies
John Barr Reserve Blend
(Delhi/ Mumbai/ Bangalore: ₹ 1740/ 2690/ 2890)
An easy drinking unpretentious whisky, John Barr Reserve Blend can closely be compared to a Johnny Walker Red label albeit with a lighter peat character. It is a smooth, malty and pleasant whisky on the palate with vanilla undertones. At the event, we sampled it straight-up as well as in a Whisky Sour cocktail. Both the ways it worked well with its malty character shining through. A significant advantage of this whisky lies in its competitive pricing that can give a tough fight to its peers in the market. Hence it is likely to score well with the end consumer.
Jura 10 YO
(Delhi/ Mumbai/ Bangalore: ₹ 5920/ 7490/ 5990)
Often called the “Highland from Island” for its remarkably subdued peat (read smokiness) as compared to whiskies from the adjacent Islay region. The whisky is a blend of peated and unpeated malts that are matured for 10 years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks.
Jura 10 YO has an expressive nose of citrus fruits, sweet spice and a hint of Sherry. The nose of the whisky is largely reaffirmed on the palate with a burst of citrus fruits, finishing with peppery notes.
In my opinion this is a great whisky to start an evening especially before a wine/whisky paired dinner. Or just to casually enjoy it with friends.
The Dalmore 12 YO
(Delhi/ Mumbai/ Bangalore: ₹ 8550/ 9990/ 7890)
Much like its name meaning “Big Valley”, The Dalmore 12 YO is a “big” mouth filling whisky with a riot of complex flavours. The whisky’s expressive nose of fruits, spice, nuts and vanilla leads you to a delicious palate of orange marmalade, coffee and cinnamon. Like the Jura, The Dalmore 12 YO too is aged in Bourbon/Sherry Casks but with different duration/ methodology. According to me, you would want to deliberate on this whisky either with or without food- though I would recommend the former option.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Sumedh Singh Mandla, CEO VBev said that they were elated to introduce Whyte & Mackay’s iconic whisky portfolio to the Indian market with the premise of curating an offering for the Indian whisky consumer at every stage of their journey of discovery.
According to Mandla , The Dalmore Highland Single Malt, will be a perfect fit in the growing luxury single malt segment, while the Jura Single Malt-the only single malt from the Isle of Jura-is bound to carve a niche among the new single malt drinkers. And John Barr Reserve,critically acclaimed for its unmatched quality in the blended scotch segment will cater to the consumers transitioning from premium Indian whiskies to the blended Scotch category.
