Godawan 02 is making waves, and never simply because it’s a single malt from India. Distilled within the deserts of Rajasthan and completed in cherry wooden casks, it’s in contrast to the rest on the shelf proper now.
Backed by Diageo and crafted with native botanicals and six-row barley, this whisky guarantees daring taste and actual sustainability credentials. However is all of it simply good advertising? We tasted it to search out out if Godawan 02 is the actual deal or simply one other bottle using the hype.
From Rajasthan, With a Sustainable Edge
Godawan whisky is made in Alwar, Rajasthan, one of many driest areas in India. It’s not the primary place you’d anticipate finding a single malt distillery, however that’s a part of the attraction.
The distillery is water-positive. It places extra water again into the atmosphere than it makes use of. The staff has labored on initiatives like rainwater harvesting and stepwell restoration to help native communities. All of the barley is grown in Rajasthan. Utilizing six-row barley means much less water use and fewer transport miles.
The extreme desert warmth hastens maturation, lowering the necessity for lengthy ageing. For immediately’s whisky drinkers, particularly those that care about sustainability, Godawan provides one thing totally different: a whisky formed by its atmosphere, not despite it.
Godawan 02: What’s Contained in the Bottle
Godawan 02 is bottled at 46% ABV and delivers precisely what the title guarantees: fruit and spice. The nostril is wealthy with tropical notes, dried mango, and hints of orange liqueur. There’s additionally fudge, toffee, and raisin sweetness within the background, giving it a dessert-like really feel.
On the palate, it’s smooth and layered. Assume cherry, raisin, and apple with mild spice. There’s a flash of cinnamon, a little bit of lime zest, and a few milk chocolate. The end is dry and oaky, with lingering spice and only a hint of cocoa.
The whisky is made utilizing six-row Indian barley, a hardy grain suited to Rajasthan’s dry local weather. Lengthy fermentation and double pot distillation give it depth. Speedy ageing in desert warmth concentrates the spirit, making younger whisky style mature.
Godawan 02 is completed in cherry wooden casks and handled with Rasna and Jatamansi, two Indian botanicals utilized in conventional drugs. These give the whisky floral and natural undertones with out overpowering it.
It’s extra delicate than Paul John or Amrut, however with extra fruit and spice than many scotch or Japanese malts. Clean, distinct, and straightforward to get pleasure from.
You can even learn Phil Dwyer’s overview of Godawan 02 right here.
Worth Tag vs Status
Godawan 02 sells for round £60–£65 within the UK and about $69–$95 within the U.S. That places it consistent with mid-premium single malts like Paul John Brilliance or Glenmorangie Lasanta.
For that value, you’re getting extra than simply taste. The sustainability story, native elements, and distinctive cask end add depth to the model. It’s not marketed as collectible, however the small-batch manufacturing and rising status have caught the attention of lovers.
Not like true restricted editions, Collection 02 is a part of the core vary. But it surely’s not mass-produced, and batches will be laborious to search out in some markets. For these exploring past Scotland or Japan, it seems like good worth, particularly if you happen to’re after one thing totally different with out going too far off track.
Who Is Godawan 02 Actually For?
Godawan 02 is aimed toward curious whisky drinkers, these exploring past Scotland, Japan, or Kentucky. It fits world whisky followers and adventurous scotch drinkers who need one thing acquainted however with a twist.
The fruit and spice profile makes it approachable, even for newcomers. It’s layered however not intense, and the 46% ABV provides taste with out harshness. Purists might query the cherry wooden and botanical affect, however the result’s balanced and pure.
This isn’t a bottle for the again of the shelf, for my part. It really works properly as a sipping dram, a dialog piece, or a considerate reward for somebody trying to strive one thing new.
Remaining Verdict: Hype, or Hidden Gem?
Godawan 02 lives as much as a lot of the hype. It’s a well-made whisky with actual character: fruit-forward, gently spiced, and formed by its desert local weather and sustainability focus.
The worth is truthful for what’s within the bottle, particularly given the distinctive manufacturing story. It could not substitute your favourite scotch, but it surely’s not making an attempt to. That is for whisky followers who need one thing totally different however nonetheless grounded in single malt custom.
In the event you’re broadening your horizons, it’s value a strive.
Have you ever tried Godawan 02? Tell us what you suppose.
