A Golden Circle at Madhu Mandapam

At the second edition of Madhu Mandapam, hospitality trainer Ajay Nayyar and whisky expert Shubham Shukla ran back-toback masterclasses on Golden Circle Global Craft Whisky. Their sessions, part practical tasting and part whisky primer, were a mixture of easy instruction and handson demonstrations that explored what makes this Indo-Scottish blend truly exceptional.

Golden Circle Global Craft Whisky embodies a cross-continental craftsmanship, a blend of imported Scotch malts and select Indian grain whiskies. As Shubham explained, “The speciality of Golden Circle is blending. We have select Indian grain whiskies along with imported Scotch malts, creating a balance that’s smooth, spicy and delicately smoky.”

Produced by Alcobrew Distilleries, one of India’s leading spirits companies, Golden Circle sits proudly in the ultra-premium segment. Its elegant golden hue and refined palate reflect the brand’s ambition to combine Indian maturity with Scotch finesse.

Art of Nosing & Tasting

Both trainers at the alcobev pavilion guided the audience through the three core steps of whisky appreciation, i.e., colour, nose and palate. The colour reveals maturity and its clarity shows purity. Lighter gold suggests less heavy cask influence and darker tones indicate more interaction with wood. Any haziness, Ajay warned, is a red flag for spoilage. He observed Golden Circle pours a pale to mid-gold colour which is “very welcoming.”

He encouraged participants to engage all senses. “Nosing is very important,” Ajay emphasised. “One can understand the difference from one whisky to another only when they nose it first.” The company matures its Indian whiskies predominantly in ex-bourbon casks, which contribute caramel, butterscotch and honeyed notes. “You may also find a smoky hint,” said Shubham.

On tasting, participants discovered a smooth yet pronounced character. Ajay advised, “Take a small sip, swirl it for a few seconds in mouth, and then swallow. That’s when you can truly find the flavour.” He recommended a small sip of around 2–3 ml. With 42.8 percent alcohol, he added, “If you drink it straight, you will feel a slight burn. An absence of burn indicates dilution.”

Golden Circle gives vanilla as a gentle base plus fruity top notes such as apple and blackcurrant. “The delicate flavour of Golden Circle will remind you of vanilla icecream,” he explained.

Science Behind the Sip

Golden Circle’s character comes from blending Indian select grain whiskies with imported Scotch malts, the use of barley in the mash, which contributes spicy notes, and maturation in ex-bourbon casks.

Both experts stressed the role of water in enhancing the whisky’s profile. “Add a little water and look at the centre of your glass,” Ajay suggested. “You’ll see the oils mix; those are your flavour compounds.” Adding a dash of water, he explained, makes a whisky more palatable and reveals nuanced aromas like that of fruit and grain notes in the case of Golden Circle whisky. Ice, meanwhile, cools the dram, making it more approachable.

Elaborating on the craftsmanship, Shubham said, “We use de-mineralised water so that the natural flavour of the whisky remains unaltered. Many brands highlight their source of water, but for us, neutrality is the key. We want you to taste the whisky, not the water.”

Flavour Companions

Ajay encouraged the audience to discover how pairings transform the experience. “Many believe whisky must go with salty, fried food, but even a piece of chocolate can complement a fine whisky,” he shared.

The presenters also addressed on the whisky and soda pairing. While some whiskies respond well to soda by throwing their floral and fruity elements forward, others are best enjoyed neat or with water.

Ending on a convivial note, he reminded, “There is no rule for drinking whisky. Drink however you want, but always in the best company.”

That sense of company is also the brand’s philosophy. The Golden Circle logo is deliberately unclosed. “There is space for one more person and that person is you,” Shubham said, explaining that the incomplete circle symbolises an invitation to join a passionate group of whisky lovers.

Maturation Insights 

Since Golden Circle’s bottle bears no explicit years of maturation, it is a non-age-statement whisky. Touching upon ageing and Indian conditions, Shubham noted, “one year of ageing in India is equals to four years of ageing in Scotland. Our climate speeds up maturation, so many Indian whiskies carry no age statement.” He also pointed out that India has no legal minimum ageing period for a spirit, whereas Scotch requires a minimum of three years. However, Indian whiskies are typically matured for three to five years, balancing rapid ageing with flavour integrity.

Both masterclasses at Madhu Mandapam combined technical instruction with conviviality. They showed Golden Circle is about a conversation between Scotch malts and Indian maturation, and between the maker and the consumer. It’s a whisky that invites curiosity.

As glasses clinked in unison to the whisky experts’ final call of “Cheers,” the sentiment of the day captured the brand’s essence perfectly; Golden Circle doesn’t close the circle; it opens an invitation to pull up a chair and savour the next pour.