Innovation has long been part of the identity that built Amrut Distilleries, and its latest release continues that tradition. The Bengaluru-based distillery has unveiled CaféX, describing it as India's first coffee-cask single malt whisky. Bringing together two of Karnataka's best-known crafts, whisky making and coffee cultivation, the new expression is matured in casks seasoned with specialty coffee beans from the historic Harley Estate in Sakaleshpur.
Limited to just 2,400 bottles worldwide, CaféX celebrates the heritage of the Western Ghats while exploring a new approach to whisky maturation. The release reflects Amrut's continued focus on innovation, following earlier expressions such as Naarangi, Spectrum, and Herald, all of which challenged conventional whisky-making techniques.
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For generations, whisky has traditionally been matured in oak casks that previously held wine, sherry, port, or other spirits. With CaféX, Amrut explores a different direction by asking whether one of the world's finest coffee-growing regions could influence the character of a single malt whisky.
The answer came through a collaboration with Harley Estate, a coffee estate established in 1864 in Sakaleshpur. Carefully selected coffee beans from the estate were used to season specially prepared casks before Amrut's award-winning single malt was matured in them. According to the company, this created an entirely new canvas for the whisky to develop while celebrating two of Karnataka's globally recognized products, premium single malt whisky and exceptional coffee.
The partnership between Amrut Distilleries and Harley Estate brings together two producers that share a strong focus on craftsmanship and provenance. Located amidst the mist-covered hills of Sakaleshpur in the Western Ghats, Harley Estate is known for producing specialty coffee, making it a natural partner for a whisky built around coffee-seasoned casks.
Commenting on the release, Rakshit N. Jagdale, Managing Director of Amrut Distilleries, said: "CaféX is a celebration of two things India does exceptionally well: crafting world-class single malt and growing exceptional coffee. Bringing them together through an innovative approach to cask maturation reflects our enduring commitment to pushing the boundaries of whisky making while remaining deeply rooted in our heritage. At Amrut, innovation is not an occasional achievement; it is part of our DNA and ethos."
Purnesh, owner of Harley Estate, also highlighted how the collaboration allowed the estate to experiment with whisky barrels that already carried layers of oak, vanilla, fruit, and Amrut's signature character. According to him, aging Harley Estate's specialty coffee in these barrels created a bold and complex coffee that bridges two distinct Indian crafts.
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Beyond the liquid itself, CaféX draws inspiration from the landscapes of the Western Ghats. The whisky is presented in a striking white and emerald-green presentation pack that reflects both the purity of its origins and the innovative nature of the release.
With only 2,400 bottles produced worldwide, CaféX joins a growing list of limited-edition Amrut releases that showcase the distillery's willingness to explore new maturation techniques while reinforcing its reputation as one of India's most innovative whisky producers.
According to Amrut Distilleries, CaféX presents an unconventional flavor profile that combines savory, fruity, and sweet characteristics. The whisky opens with a radiant golden honey appearance, showcasing excellent clarity and a polished luster in the glass. Its aroma stands out with a distinctive combination of:
On the palate, CaféX continues its unique character by balancing bold savory notes with sweeter flavors before leading into a long, refreshing finish. The tasting experience includes:
Speaking about the release, Ashok Chokalingam, COO and Master Distiller at Amrut, described CaféX as a landmark bottling for the distillery. According to Chokalingam, encountering distinct jalapeño and capsicum notes in a single malt is extremely rare. He noted that the whisky's ability to integrate these savory characteristics with mocha and vanilla cream, while maintaining balance throughout, makes CaféX a "unicorn" expression destined for discerning collections.
Since its founding in 1948, Amrut Distilleries has played a significant role in shaping the global perception of Indian whisky. The international success of Amrut Fusion in 2009 brought worldwide attention to Indian single malts, with the whisky being recognized as the world's third-best whisky at the time. The company attributes much of this success to the vision of Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, whose efforts helped establish Indian whisky as a respected category internationally.
Using Indian barley and the country's unique climate to accelerate maturation, Amrut products have continued to experiment with new techniques and flavor profiles. CaféX builds on that philosophy by introducing coffee-seasoned casks as another chapter in the distillery's ongoing pursuit of innovation.
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With CaféX, Amrut Distilleries has introduced a whisky that explores a different approach to cask maturation while celebrating two of Karnataka's most celebrated crafts, single malt whisky and specialty coffee. Developed in partnership with Harley Estate and limited to just 2,400 bottles, the release combines innovative maturation techniques with a tasting profile unlike anything else currently in the distillery's portfolio.
As India's first coffee-cask single malt, CaféX marks another milestone in Amrut's journey to challenge convention and expand the possibilities of Indian whisky, reinforcing the distillery's reputation for innovation on the global stage.
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