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Come home to Lady Burn

India is seeing a rise in the number of single malt lovers

There are single malts and there are single malts. Most connoisseurs have their palate preference that drives them towards an Islay or a Speyside. But it is that very tiny but prominent strata, without a care for cost-effectiveness, that is willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a bottle of maltish luxury.

An A-list Mumbai actor last year brought back a 1926 Macallan Fine and Rare that cost him a neat $75,000. This dry and concentrated whisky, with a licorice after-taste is one of the most coveted single malts in the world. It also ranks among the less expensive ones in a list of most expensive single malts that also see collector’s items like the 105-year-old Master of Malt that’s priced over a million dollars.

When you look at such rare vintages, you see that fine difference between malt appreciation and nonchalant luxury, the latter being what sets one apart. We speak with luxury consultants, collectors and celebrities about how it really isn’t just about the alcohol; it’s purely indicative of a way of life.

“In the recent years there seems to have been a significant rise of the single malt lovers. Partly, this is due to the information that one gets handy. In the 80’s, people in India mostly knew Black Label as the best brand, through the 90s it was Blue Label, and after the boom of globalisation, people have been spoilt with choices,” points out Prashant Gupta, food and beverage manager of ITC Maratha.

“The palates differ from person to person, for loyal Islay lovers, the smoky flavour is all that they pay for, but on the other hand, there are others who won’t be able to finish a single peg of Islay,” he adds.

The Hotel keeps a rare collection of single malts ranging from a personalised Glenfiddich cask especially for ITC. A 30 ml of 40-year-old rare collection of Glenfiddich swig is priced at Rs 25,000, which tastes silky-smooth gradually giving way to biscuit maltiness. There’s also a hint of bitter chocolate with a soft, oily smokiness which keeps a lingering taste of slightly sappy, toasty, applewood smoke.

“It is almost like collecting art, or anything expensive. I believe this trend is largely due to the character of the drink. Single malts are all about pure spirit and character and luxury does add on to the overall effect. In fact anything vintage adds a lot to the existing price,” says Image Consultant and single malt appreciator Chetna Mehrotra.

Chetna has been taking master classes for art appreciation, wine and single malts tasting. “Recently I was asked by a bank to take a single malt tasting workshop for the employees since they need to learn a lot of other things other than their business its part of their business,” she adds.

Though there has been a significant rise in single malt connoisseurs over the past decade, there has been a fall of purists in the course. “One should have the right amount of inclination to know his whisky well, the difference between the different types of whiskey. But beyond all, one should know how to taste the spirit.” adds Chetna.

For Sachin Mylavarapu, director of food and beverages of The Westin Mumbai Garden City, who happens to be a single malt connoisseur himself, single malt connoisseurs are nothing less than art patrons, “Beyond being a lifestyle, single malt is more of an art.” Sachin, who has been loyal to Glenlivet also adds, “Since I come from a different city, I realise that Mumbai has a strong potential for the single malt consumers. The several single malt cigar clubs in the city will only prove my point.”

As India is opening its arm to the international market, the Indians are being spoilt with choices. For most of the connoisseurs the name of a Lady Burn or Balvenie is enough to take it home as a collector’s item. Last week at the prestigious World Whisky Awards, Tasmania Distillery’s Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask took out the honour of World’s Best whiskey and soon the connoisseurs are going to chase it as well. But it takes a bit more than a connoisseur to wet your throat with a bottle of 62-year-old Dalmore for a staggering $200,000 or a 64-year-old Macallan for $460,000. Such is the water of life!

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