Review: Daru Canadian Whiskey

Review: Daru Canadian Whiskey

Review: Daru Canadian Whiskey

Daru has a picture of a lion on its label and a map of India on its reverse but — surprise! — it’s actually a Canadian whiskey. “Inspired” by the flavors of Indian whisky and created by the two children of an Indian emigrant, the brand dates back to 2020. The brand’s only bottling is a three year old whiskey aged in Canadian oak which is filtered through activated charcoal before bottling.

Daru Canadian Whiskey Review

Most Indian whisky classically resembles Scotch, but Daru clearly strikes out on its own for inspiration. A sweet nose quickly reveals notes of fresh corn — and then caramel corn — along with expressive notes of butterscotch and cinnamon. The whiskey almost feels like it has had baking spices directly added to it, even more so on the palate, which is expressive with sweeter nutmeg, gingerbread, vanilla, and caramel notes. The finish finds room for some toasted coconut, more caramel corn, and a conclusion that wavers between cotton candy and cinnamon rolls.

All of that is to say there’s not a lot of whiskeyness to this experience, which may or may not be what you’re looking for in this bottling. To my palate, the collection of flavors evokes Indian food far more than Indian whisky — so, at the very least, it’s making me hungry.

90 proof.

B- / $28

Daru Canadian Whiskey

USD28
7

Rating

7.0/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

2 Comments

  1. Mays Whiskey on July 16, 2023 at 11:11 pm

    It’s interesting to learn about Daru Canadian Whiskey and its unique inspiration from Indian flavors. This reviewer mentioned that the whiskey evokes more of an Indian food experience rather than a traditional Indian whisky taste. With notes of fresh corn, caramel corn, butterscotch, cinnamon, and other sweet flavors, it seems to offer a distinct profile. While it may not have a strong “whiskeyness” to it, this could be an intriguing choice for those looking for something different. The reviewer’s mention of feeling hungry after tasting it adds an interesting twist to the overall experience. It’s always exciting to see whiskey brands explore new flavors and influences.

  2. Mays Whiskey on July 16, 2023 at 11:24 pm

    The concept of Daru Canadian Whiskey is certainly intriguing. With its label featuring a lion and a map of India, one may expect a whiskey with Indian influences. However, it turns out to be a Canadian whiskey that takes inspiration from the flavors of Indian whisky. It’s interesting to see how Daru sets itself apart, offering a unique tasting experience that evokes elements of Indian cuisine rather than the typical characteristics of Indian whisky. The description of the nose, with notes of fresh corn, caramel corn, butterscotch, and cinnamon, already paints a mouth-watering picture. The palate seems to be a delightful blend of sweeter nutmeg, gingerbread, vanilla, and caramel, creating a rich and flavorful profile. The finish, with hints of toasted coconut and caramel corn, adds an enjoyable touch. While this whiskey may not possess the traditional “whiskeyness,” it definitely seems worth exploring for those seeking a unique and evocative tasting experience.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.