As a whisky enthusiast living in Mauritius, I relish stumbling upon unique whisky finds, especially those hailing from India. So when I encountered Royal Challenge whisky at Winners in Cascavelle, I knew I had to grab it.
Initially, the brand was crafted by Shaw Wallace and introduced to the Indian market in the early 1980s. United Spirits Ltd (USL), a Diageo group company, acquired Shaw Wallace in July 2005.
Royal Challenge is a grain-flavoured blended whisky with some Scotch and Indian malts. Approximately 12% of the blend is derived from this blend of Scotch and Indian whiskies matured in charred American oak casks. The rest is a neutral spirit distilled from molasses.
However, it’s important to note that Royal Challenge whisky, akin to many Indian “whiskies” (Indian-made foreign liquor), ventures into the realm of ambiguity. In essence, it is a rum blended with some whisky. It is not in line with the Scottish whisky regulations. In the United States, it is called “spirit whisky”.
Despite its unconventional origins, Royal Challenge whisky boasts a formidable presence in the global spirits market, with over 4.5 million cases sold annually. While it enjoys widespread popularity in India, it has also made waves in the USA, Canada, and the UK, showcasing its universal appeal.
In Mauritius, acquiring a bottle won’t break the bank, with a reasonable price tag of Rs 1350. The retail price in Canada was around $29 and $23 in the USA. In the UK, it costs around 42 GBP and ₹ 974 in India.
The Royal Challenge whisky earned a Gold medal for ‘Best Indian Whisky – 2011′ at the International Whisky Competition. It does have added colour.
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Royal Challenge Whisky Review
COUNTRY: India and Scotland
ABV: 42,8%
COLOUR: Antique gold
NOSE:Caramel and fruity sweetness with malt. A slight alcohol note, so let it stand for a minute or 2 for the alcohol to dissipate. Not the most complex nose, but bold nevertheless. My favourite part of the whisky.
PALATE: First taste brings caramel sweetness, malt, and black pepper. After I added a few drops of water, a bitter lemon note came forward and drowned out the malt and sweetness. Faint oak in the background.
FINISH: The finish is short. Without adding water the finish is sweeter. With the water, the finish becomes more bitter lemon and pepper.
RATING: GOOD
My personal tasting experience unveils a mixed verdict. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either.
Possessing a mild sweetness and devoid of any harsh alcohol burn, it serves as a versatile addition to cocktail creations.
I won’t use this in whisky-forward cocktails like an old-fashioned, but I might add this to a whisky mule or a peach smash as it is quite sweet. Just don’t add water.
Have you enjoyed sampling Royal Challenge whisky in your neck of the woods? Share your experiences and impressions with this spirit.
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