First Impressions
Rampur Asava translates from Sanskrit as 'distilled from fruits' — a fitting name for a malt finished in casks that once held Indian Cabernet Sauvignon.
Distillery & Heritage
Rampur Distillery, owned by Radico Khaitan, sits at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh and has been distilling since 1943. Asava, launched in 2020, is believed to be the world's first single malt finished in Indian Cabernet Sauvignon casks sourced from Indian vineyards. The Himalayan climate provides warm summers and cool winters — gentler than Bangalore or Goa.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose is all red fruit and florals — blackcurrant, rose petal, vanilla and toasted almond with dark chocolate underneath. The palate follows suit: blackberry jam, ripe plum, vanilla custard and oak spice, with the wine cask lending a gentle tannic grip that keeps things savory. The finish carries red fruit, cocoa and drying oak.
Verdict
A beautifully composed wine-finished malt that showcases a different face of Indian whisky — soft, fruit-forward and distinctly terroir-driven.
