Trini is the core single malt from the Indian whisky brand of Indri. The word ‘indri’ is derived from the name given to the five senses in the Sanskrit language, known as the indriya. The brand only uses barley grown in the northern region of Rajasthan and uses a strain of six-row barley that is indigenous to India. This is manually harvested and hand selected for malting before being distilled in traditional copper pot stills.
Indri Trini uses single malts matured in three cask types. These are ex-bourbon, ex-French red wine and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry. The word ‘trini’ translates as ‘three wood’ to reflect this. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour.
Indri has been available in India for over two years. There are currently approximately 40,000 barrels maturing at the distillery, where the sub tropical climate leads to an ‘angel’s share’ – the name given to evaporation of whisky from a cask – of 10-12% per annum. This compares to 1-2% in Scotland and Ireland. The brand was also first released into the UK and USA in 2023.
Indri Trini can be found in selected specialist whisky retailers in India, the UK and USA with further global distribution planned for the future. A bottle will cost £40/ €45/ $US65.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is golden yellow and the nose is highly perfumed. Aromas of tropical flowers (especially jasmine) and spiced milk chocolate mingle with hints of dried cherries and figs, green apple and vanilla. Further aromas of honeyed nuts, golden pear and caramel malted biscuits add balance, depth and complexity.
On the palate this whisky is immediately sweet and malty. It feels light and refreshing with a zesty edge. Honeycomb, caramel and vanilla toffee combine with a distinctive earthy malty biscuit note. Much like the nose it is highly expressive, tropical and floral in nature. Notes of pineapple, mango and papaya are accentuated by a lovely evolving herbal and spicy note – think of green cardomom, white pepper and drying oak. The honeyed nuts from the nose are also present (think of something creamy like hazelnut) and they are joined by late hints of raisin and orange oil.
The finish is relatively short with a sugary sweetness and oaky dryness. The honeyed and caramel characteristics fade first, followed by the tropical fruity notes. This leaves the spices and oak to play to give a crisp, woody and dry conclusion. Relatively short with sugary sweetness and oaky dryness. Well balanced.
What’s The Verdict?
The Trini is a delicious introduction to the Indri range of whiskies. Premium Indian single malts are becoming increasingly popular and the brand is a welcome and high quality addition to what is available. Trini is extremely well balanced and is delightfully light, uplifting and aromatic as a whisky. It is also competitively priced and worth a try if you can find it. We cannot wait to sample other offerings from the range now.
