There is a burgeoning blitz for high quality, single malt whisky in India, with expressions  popping up every now and then. And why not when there is real value that sets them apart from the average, low cost, poorly constructed spirits; something that both local and foreign distilleries see as an untapped opportunity.

Alas, Diageo’s Indian foray, the Godawan Single Malt series – aka, the new kid on the block! The spirit, nicknamed the “Spirit of the Desert,” isn’t too far from the truth. Why? Because a chunk of the whiskies’ DNA comes from quintessentially six row barley along with clean, fresh water, both of which are locally sourced and native to the state. The grain thrives surprisingly well in the otherwise largely desert like topography. And it is this sense of belonging and the geographical influences of the state that have defined the whisky, its soul, and its very physical being.

Godawan, takes its name from The Great Indian Bustard, an indigenous bird that calls the state of Rajasthan its home. This avifauna has been classified as being critically extinct, with only some 150 left. The distillery takes great pride in allocating a percentage of their sales in the conservation of the species and its habitat. Hence, the close association with the Bustard, the state bird of Rajasthan!

The Series 01, part of a duo combo, is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and PX sherry casks, PX being a rather sweet desert wine. The near 38° C (100° F) temperatures fasten the aging process, with the liquid interacting with the wood differently as it contracts and expands. A lot is let through the porous wood while the whisky is left to mature in slumber, a gift perhaps for the angels!

There is, however, a twist, a rather cheeky one! A subset of casks leveraged are previously curated with Indian botanicals, namely Rasna and Jatamansi, prior to the actual finishing. This gives the opportunity for the whisky to garner a lot more depth and complexity as it marries with the cask (or so we will find out).

ABV : 46%

Eye : Amontillado sherry | Artificial Colouring | Non Chill Filtered

Nose : Caramel and dark grapes, interleaved with sweet bread, hints of honey and herbal nuances . Char and woodied earthy aromas come infused with dark fruits, charred melons and sundried tomatoes. Mild spice, white pepper with a brush of ginger.

Taste : Very sweet with flavours of plum, grapes and possibly some crisp red apples and beautiful botanicals. There’s wood, vanilla, some dried fruits, tapering with a pinch of white pepper.

Finish : Medium to long | Warm, influenced by red grapes, honey, and wood

Thin and youthful, not too viscous; the Series 01 delivers honeyed sweetness, and fruity notes that are wrapped in a bouquet of lovely aromatics that fills the nose, with a more lush and cherished delivery on the palate. There’s a good breadth of flavours with decent depth and complexity in the mix.

At AUD $110, I feel the addition of artificial colouring was a wasted effort as the whisky performs so well, having earned itself quite a few international accolades in the short time it has been in the eyes of the public. This one hits the mark, a lovely representation of its Indian heritage, a symphony of floral and spiced nuances. The use of botanicals certainly did sway in the right direction, giving the distillery a sweet, albeit mildly immature spirit that still is well capable of standing its ground.

Slainte!