 "Boutique cellar")
The reason why young men and women like to shoot tequila down their throats is because there is no other way to endure the spirit's mass-produced version, says Keshav Prakash. "It is so bad that they would rather not taste it." While a more unique version of the drink boasts 100 per cent use of the blue agave plant, large-scale tequila producers usually sell mixto, a variant made with a lower concentration of the ingredient, explains the former ad-film maker. "The high-quality drink can be enjoyed neat and with indulgent sips." It was to promote such boutique spirits that Prakash started a venture called The Vault four months ago.
The company, which offers services such as group tastings, deals in a selection of handcrafted whiskies, tequilas, rums, gins and cognacs from distilleries in Europe and North America. The idea came from Prakash's travels abroad, when his interest in spirits piqued him enough to invest in more specific tours to distilleries and in some education on the subject. During the journeys, he was introduced to Charles Maclean, Dave Broom and Tom Estes, old hands in the field who shared leads of less-known distilleries and later joined The Vault as curators. Prakash is also the founder of The Oak League, an underground whisky collective in Mumbai.
Tastings are held at homes, offices or at events. Typically, Prakash and his team visit the venue to discuss the location, lighting and serving methods. If necessary, they bring along unique goblet-shaped glassware, which is designed to ensure the aromas do not escape. The focus is on appreciating three aspects of a drink - the fragrance, taste and finish. Prakash also patiently points out details such as how a smooth glass of Springbank whisky goes well with spicy Indian food or an El Dorado rum tastes best mixed with orange. The roughly 90-minute exercise can cost anywhere between Rs 36,000 and Rs 67,000, excluding service tax, based on the spirit of choice.
"Some of the distilleries we work with did not even have the resources to travel to India and explore the market before," says Prakash with mild pride. "We wanted to build bridges for them." His knowledge has been developed by spending time at the units and observing the process. "I visited the best and not-so-great distillers, estates and taxi drivers. I learnt how locals like to have their drink and with what foods they are generally paired." He displays faint contempt when he talks of mass-market brands. "People here are used to having Coke and rum, not rum and Coke."
So far, the response has been encouraging. The company does not have a retail presence but takes phone orders and sells through partners in five-star hotels. The well-heeled and widely-travelled residents of the city predictably form its clientele. If one identifies with the snooty Crane brothers of the 1990s sitcom Frasier, the lineup including London's Sipsmith and Trinidad's Caroni, is likely to please them. The common reaction among those who recognise the names is of surprise over their availability in India.
Many of the brands are not found at duty-free shops, says Prakash. "One would have to go to specific outlets and that is expensive too." Mildly peated, single malt scotch whiskey from Islay costs Rs 12,400 here, while a bottle of the smooth, pale yellow Ocho Anejo from Mexico burns a Rs 12,800 hole in the buyer's pocket. "But I am operating above the bracket where people aren't affected by price."
Plans are afoot to bring products from more countries and go to more cities across India. When distillery owners visit the country, Prakash says he insists they speak about the category rather than their brand alone. "In India, we pay a lot of attention to the food part of food and beverage, while the beverage part is overlooked. I would like people to get informed about the specifics of different categories." Eventually, Prakash hopes to create a new breed of connoisseurs.
For more information on tasting sessions and experiences, visit vaultfinespirits.com
The company, which offers services such as group tastings, deals in a selection of handcrafted whiskies, tequilas, rums, gins and cognacs from distilleries in Europe and North America. The idea came from Prakash's travels abroad, when his interest in spirits piqued him enough to invest in more specific tours to distilleries and in some education on the subject. During the journeys, he was introduced to Charles Maclean, Dave Broom and Tom Estes, old hands in the field who shared leads of less-known distilleries and later joined The Vault as curators. Prakash is also the founder of The Oak League, an underground whisky collective in Mumbai.
Tastings are held at homes, offices or at events. Typically, Prakash and his team visit the venue to discuss the location, lighting and serving methods. If necessary, they bring along unique goblet-shaped glassware, which is designed to ensure the aromas do not escape. The focus is on appreciating three aspects of a drink - the fragrance, taste and finish. Prakash also patiently points out details such as how a smooth glass of Springbank whisky goes well with spicy Indian food or an El Dorado rum tastes best mixed with orange. The roughly 90-minute exercise can cost anywhere between Rs 36,000 and Rs 67,000, excluding service tax, based on the spirit of choice.
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The difference between handmade and regular spirits lies in the manufacturing techniques. At boutique distilleries, natural ingredients such as nuts and spices are used once to enhance flavours. The batches are limited and ingredients are often sourced from one estate to ensure consistency. Since scotch whiskey is matured in used barrels, the single malt's colour depends on whether the cask used previously carried light bourbon or the darker sherry. Mass-market drinks contain artificial flavours and at times added colours, says Prakash. Highly recommended is the Delamain Cognac that beautifully complements slices of fine dark chocolate and London's Chase vodka infused with English marmalade and Seville orange peels. Whisky connoisseurs would appreciate the Glendronach Parliament, aged 21 years, fruity with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
"Some of the distilleries we work with did not even have the resources to travel to India and explore the market before," says Prakash with mild pride. "We wanted to build bridges for them." His knowledge has been developed by spending time at the units and observing the process. "I visited the best and not-so-great distillers, estates and taxi drivers. I learnt how locals like to have their drink and with what foods they are generally paired." He displays faint contempt when he talks of mass-market brands. "People here are used to having Coke and rum, not rum and Coke."
So far, the response has been encouraging. The company does not have a retail presence but takes phone orders and sells through partners in five-star hotels. The well-heeled and widely-travelled residents of the city predictably form its clientele. If one identifies with the snooty Crane brothers of the 1990s sitcom Frasier, the lineup including London's Sipsmith and Trinidad's Caroni, is likely to please them. The common reaction among those who recognise the names is of surprise over their availability in India.
Many of the brands are not found at duty-free shops, says Prakash. "One would have to go to specific outlets and that is expensive too." Mildly peated, single malt scotch whiskey from Islay costs Rs 12,400 here, while a bottle of the smooth, pale yellow Ocho Anejo from Mexico burns a Rs 12,800 hole in the buyer's pocket. "But I am operating above the bracket where people aren't affected by price."
Plans are afoot to bring products from more countries and go to more cities across India. When distillery owners visit the country, Prakash says he insists they speak about the category rather than their brand alone. "In India, we pay a lot of attention to the food part of food and beverage, while the beverage part is overlooked. I would like people to get informed about the specifics of different categories." Eventually, Prakash hopes to create a new breed of connoisseurs.
For more information on tasting sessions and experiences, visit vaultfinespirits.com