Rampur debuts Barrel Blush single malt in UK

India's Radico Khaitan has released the latest single malt from Rampur Distillery, which has been finished in Shiraz wine casks.

Named Rampur Barrel Blush, the Indian whisky launched first in the UK last week, and will be rolled out across Europe and the US later this month. It was matured in American Bourbon barrels and finished in Australian Shiraz red wine casks, selected by master distiller Anup Barik. The whisky features a 'complex' flavour profile, displaying notes of vanilla, oak, and soft spices from the American Bourbon barrel-maturation. The Australian Shiraz wine casks then add a layer of ripe berries, dark fruit, and a subtle tannic touch, creating a 'balanced yet bold expression'. Sanjeev Banga, president of international business at Radico Khaitan, said: “As the whisky consumer market continues to evolve, the release of Rampur Barrel Blush not only highlights our commitment to innovation and excellence but also offers us the opportunity to present our craftsmanship to whisky enthusiasts worldwide.” Rampur Barrel Blush is bottled 45% ABV and is available for £65 (US$85). Earlier this year, The Spirits Business spoke with Banga on Indian single malt's potential to compete with Scotch. Last month, Radico Khaitan released the fifth and sixth expressions in Rampur's Jugalbandi range. Rampur Distillery is operated by Radico Khaitan and was established in 1943. In May, Radico Khaitan partnered with Danish distributor Bemakers to enhance its European presence. Kunal Madan, VP of international business at Radico Khaitan, added: “We have poured our passion into this blend, meticulously experimenting with unique maturation techniques to create a whisky that authentically reflects our heritage. "We have continued to push boundaries with the launch of Rampur Barrel Blush. The use of Australian Shiraz casks continues Rampur’s legacy of experimenting with different cask combinations and compliments Rampur’s characteristic of fruity and floral whisky.” Earlier this year, Rampur Distillery also showed its ambitions for the rum category, launching The Kohinoor Reserve Indian Dark Rum.