Well established with over six decades of experience and a variety of craft beers under its name, the Devan Brewery, like many others couldn’t stray away from the temptation of foraying into the world of whisky. India is the world’s largest consumer of whisky, with interest only brewing northwards, and nothing more than a handful of indigenous distillers fighting it out.

Having this rich level of experience was not only an advantage but the prospect of an already well established fan base meant they already had consumers that could be swayed their way. Come 2022, enter Gianchand Single Malt Whisky, a testament to its sixty plus years of experience and an ode to its founder Dewan Gian Chand.

The distillery is neatly nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, providing for a unique environment as the  spirit ages comfortably in American ex-bourbon barrels. This in combination with their long swan neck copper pot stills leads to a lighter, cleaner and more spirited expression. These long necks help absolve much of the heavier compounds as the distillate has greater time to interact with the copper tubes.

As with most Indian whiskies, they source their grain locally using six row barley. For this particular expression, the barley is smoked just enough to layer a bit of peat onto it. There are two other variants released by the distillery, one a more peated expression, The Manshaa and the other  unpeated, Adambaraa; but we’re here to test their first into the Single Malts realm!

ABV : 42.8%

Eye : Yellow Gold | Natural Colouring | Non Chill Filtered

Nose : Vanilla with a hint of peat, shortcake biscuits and charred wood. Green apples, tobacco with charred cantaloupe; some pepper and cardamom.

Taste : Vanilla combined with the sweetness of mulberries, smoky with tropical notes, mangoes, yand mild hints of brine, zest and spice.

Finish : Vanilla and char with a medium finish and some spice.

The Gianchand might seem like a simpleton, but it’s far from that. It’s subtle, but naughty, a splash of colour in an otherwise mundane grey picture on the wall. Vanilla is the hero here, and a touch of tropical sweetness that pushes it further ahead. Though not depth heavy, there’s breadth and a cheerful tickle that gives you a pleasurable experience as you put that tuple against your mouth, and drench that thick moustache with golden jus.

Having said that, there’s something missing, the one piece perhaps that completes the puzzle. This expression isn’t gold, and borderline one dimensional. But for AUD 89, honestly, it exceeded my expectations; and faired very well for an expression that was introduced not very long ago. Worth another try? Yes, a good 6-7 (yup I said that) out of 10!

Slainte Mhath!