India has had a spectacular history with spirits. Today, right from Indian-made liquor to foreign liquor, you’ll find a variety of spirits that are best-selling in the country. In recent years there have been so many buzzing innovations in mixers, cocktails, and gin bottles packed with Indian flavors. All your parties and celebrations would seem incomplete without some spirit to kickstart the fun and party mode. To jazz up your upcoming party, we’ve listed out 15 of the best spirits of 2022.
15 Of The Best Spirits Of 2022
- Amrut Spectrum 004
- Wild Turkey 81
- Highbury Classic Whisky
- Paul John Christmas Edition 2021
- Maka Zai Rum
- No Sleep Greater Than Gin
- Mithuna By Paul John
- Rahasya Vodka
- Indri Trini Single Malt Whisky
- Amrut Nilgiris Indian Dry Gin
- Paul John Ximenez Single Malt Whisky
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
- Spice Trade Gin
- Doja
- Segredo Aldeia Rum
1. Amrut Spectrum 004
Amrut Distillery is a familiar brand to all whiskey connoisseurs as they have been the pioneers of single malt whiskey in India. All whiskey lovers will agree that a good whiskey can be made when the makers get three things right – quality ingredients, appropriate climatic conditions, and the technique used to deliver it. The delightful taste of this whiskey is all thanks to its custom-built barrel made out of four varieties of oak. On the nose, you’ll get the mesmerizing taste of honey, vanilla, dried fruits, and toasted oak. Every sip of this drink is an adventurous and gratifying taste of caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried fruits. The finish of this whiskey is a prolonged taste of dried citrus peel and herbs that’ll leave you in bliss.
ABV: 50%
Also read: Over INR 74,000! What Makes Amrut Greedy Angels So Expensive?
2. Wild Turkey 81
When it comes to bourbon, there’s nothing quite like Wild Turkey 81! This amazing bourbon has been revealed to Indian whiskey connoisseurs just recently. If you’re a fan of bourbon that has a bold, authentic, and full-bodied flavor, this is the drink for you. The second you take a whiff of this bottle, the aroma of honey and caramel will fill your nostrils. Along with that, you’ll also feel some oka, orange zest, and corn sidekicks. On the palate, there’s a taste of bourbon spice and cinnamon. The finish of this bourbon is a hint of caramel coffee syrup that will slowly fade away and give you a sharp and toasty finish.
ABV: 40.5%
Also Read: How To Drink Whiskey: A Complete Guide
3. Highbury Classic Whisky
Highbury Classic Whisky is making waves in the Indian whiskey market. What makes this whiskey exceptional and non-traditional is its mixture of malt spirits and premium grain spirits. This silky-liquid pleasure is bottled in Goa which gives you a hint of caramel biscuits and a generous taste of berries, oakwood, and raisins. With every sip that you take, you’ll get a hint of cinnamon, vanilla, and honey. The finish is smoky and peppery, just enough to please your soul. The best way to enjoy this drink would be neat; you can also add a few rocks of ice and savor this drink.
ABV: 42.8%
Also read: 5 Best Gifts For Whiskey Lovers
4. Paul John Christmas Edition 2021
Christmas is certainly one of the most beautiful festivals and to make it more special, you can stock up your shelf with some amazing whiskey collections. Paul John is an established distillery for all things whiskey. Their latest addition to their Christmas Edition is the Paul John Christmas Edition 2021. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so go ahead and give this warm and tasty whiskey a try during this festive season. When you pour this drink into your glass, you’ll immediately fall in love with its rich aromas of orange blossom honey, pralines, and juicy baked apples. You’ll also get a hint of honey, raisins, caramel cheesecake, and dry plum when you taste it. The finish will leave you with a long taste of spiced French toast along with smoked nuts, just enough to make you pour another peg of whiskey.
ABV: 46%
Also Read: Christmas Cocktails To Welcome The Holidays
5. Maka Zai Rum
Stilldistilling Spirits have brought one of the best quality rum from the sweet waters of Goa. Just like the name suggests, Maka Zai Rum will make you want to have another peg with the very first sip! Tempted to try it yet? Just so you know, there are two editions to this delicious rum – Maka Zai White Rum which is the ‘Bartender’s Edition’ and Maka Zai Gold Rum which is the ‘Tribute Edition’. This white rum has flavors of praline, dry dates, figs, caramel, cinnamon, and honey to elevate your drinking experience. Enjoy this drink on a hot sunny afternoon while savoring this creamy rum. A pro tip: add some fresh lime or ginger ale to your rum for the ultimate experience!
ABV: 42.8%
Also read: 6 Of The Best Cheap Whiskeys
6. No Sleep Greater Than Gin
Are you a coffee aficionado? Well, how would you like a coffee-infused gin in your bar collection? Crisp notes of gin along with refreshing flavors of coffee is what you’ll get in No Sleep Greater Than. It has 100% Arabian coffee from Chikmagalur that’s free of any kind of artificial flavors or sugar. When you take your very first sip, you’ll experience the rich flavors of red cherries, salted caramel, and a subtle hint of spicy pink peppercorn. If you’re a fan of cocktails, you’ll definitely enjoy this gin with tonic water and a wedge of orange.
ABV: 42.8%
Also read: 7 Easy Gin Cocktail Recipes That You Should Try
7. Mithuna By Paul John
A part of the Zodiac series by Paul John, Mithuna is an Indian single malt whiskey that’s matured in the tropical heat of Goa. What makes this spirit different from others is its quality Indian ingredients. It’s made from barley grown in the Himalayas and the liquid is stored in American virgin oak casks that results in a mellow flavored whiskey that will give you a subtle sophisticated spice. On the nose, you’ll get the aroma of liquorice, gentle beeswax with ulmo honey on crisp toast along with mild notes of vanilla. The finish is a prolonged taste of multi-toned sugars and delicate honey, leaving you yearning for more.
ABV: 58%
8. Rahasya Vodka
If you’re a fan of Indian spirit brands, then Rahasya Vodka by Blisswater Industries Private Limited will definitely make it to your stock of alcohol. One of the best things about this vodka is that it can be paired with any cuisine. Its blend of spices will give you a spicy after-taste regardless of what snack you munch on while indulging in this vodka. The aroma of this vodka will certainly remind you of the Indian heritage, culture, and mysticism, because of its typical Indian flavors. You can make a sweet and sour cocktail by mixing this vodka with tender coconut water or by adding some lime juice. To give that finishing touch, you can garnish your drink with a twig of thyme or cucumber.
ABV: 42.8%
Also read: 7 3-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails That You Can Make
9. Indri Trini Single Malt Whisky
Another great spirit drink that has been making waves not just in India but across the world is Indri Trini Single Malt Whisky. This luxurious drink is made from indigenous six-row barley grown in Rajasthan. Something interesting about the making process of this whiskey is that it’s the very first Indian whiskey made from 3 distinct wooden barrels. No wonder Indri Trini has earned many renowned awards like International Spirits Challenge 2022, World Whiskies Awards 2022, Domroskrow’s New Wizards 2022, and many more.
This amber golden-colored whiskey has an aroma of black tea, caramelized pineapple, oak, vanilla, honey, raisin, and sweet cherry. On the palate, you’ll get the sensational delight of spiced woody nutty flavors. This velvety whiskey with its undertone of spices can be drunk best with rocks of ice, neat, or even with water.
ABV: 46%
Also Read: 4 Indian Single Malts You Need To Drink
10. Amrut Nilgiris Indian Dry Gin
Amrut Distilleries has certainly earned the spotlight with their beverages, especially their collection of whiskeys. But, the invention of Amrut Nilgiris Dry Gin, that too from the fresh botanicals of the Nilgiris residing in the Western Ghats of India, has certainly created an unrivaled spirit in the beverage industry. Every sip of this heavenly gin will give you a flavor of paan leaf, and lemongrass along with spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, juniper berries, and an amazing taste of brewed tea. This is the perfect drink to beat the summer heat and to give yourself a refreshing herbal-flavored gin to relish.
ABV: 42.8%
11. Paul John Ximenez Single Malt Whisky
This is another famous whisky that is a part of Paul John’s Select Cask range that gets its name from the famous Pedro Ximenez barrels. For all your late night parties or smoke sessions, this whisky can be a perfect companion that’ll make you say ‘One more peg please!’. The aromas of this whisky are such that you’ll get the fruity sweetness of fig and apricot with a hint of banana. Every sip of this exotic whisky will give you a taste of sweet barley with creamy butterscotch, dry fruits, and Christmas pudding on your palate. The finish is such that you’ll get an intense taste of chocolate fudge, orange peel, wine, and drenched nuts.
ABV: 48%
Also read: 5 Of The Most Expensive Single Malt Whiskeys In India
12. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey goes through an extra mile of mellowing drop-by-drop through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal. Further, this whiskey is matured in handcrafted charred oak barrels. The whiskey gets its typical spicy oak notes and rich golden color from this process. When you open the lid of this bottle, you’ll be greeted with the aromas of caramel and tender notes of banana. A sip of this whiskey and you’ll experience the taste of balanced caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak on your palette. This smooth Tennessee whiskey can be your new favorite because of its distinctive taste.
ABV: 40%
13. Spice Trade Gin
If you’re a fan of Indian food and flavors, you probably know that one of the main ingredients used all over India in all kinds of food is spices. Imagine such rich Indian spicy flavors in a gin; that’s exactly what you’ll get in Spice Trade Gin. This gin is a part of the fourth Distiller Series by Stranger & Sons in Goa. Its taste and spicy flavors has earned the gin a gold medal at the 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition held in London. You’ll get the tantalizing aromas of finger lime, chili, cardamom, and turmeric. On the palate, you’ll get the bursting flavors of macadamia, cashews, sarsaparilla, and cassica that bind all the spices together in this flavorful drink. The aftertaste is that of green Schezuan, long pepper, red chili, lemon, and anise myrtle that’ll let you experience the depth of this gin.
ABV: 43.8%
Also read: Top 8 Gin Brands In India
14. Doja
All cocktail connoisseurs will definitely fall in love with Doja, the world’s first Indo-Japanese gin. Every sip of this exotic gin will give you a taste of two cultures. This drink comes from Goa’s East Side Distillery. It’s packed with flavors of peppermint coming from Northeast India, cardamom from the south along with hinoki chips, yuzu lemon, and sansho pepper from Japan. Isn’t that tempting already? But wait, there’s more to this spirit!
Just a whiff of this drink and the aromas of grass, citrus peel, florals and subtle hints of spices will satisfy your olfactory senses. When you taste it, you’ll experience a silky mouthfeel of pine, coriander, and fennel. The smoothness and burning sensation of alcohol in this drink come from the process of its making, specifically the usage of Holstein, which is a copper still from Germany. One of the best things about this spirit is that it’s easy on the throat. You can enjoy this gin with a few rocks of ice anytime during the day.
ABV: 42.8%
15. Segredo Aldeia Rum
Ever thought that a rum would take birth in a small local village? Well, that’s the case with the birth of Segredo Aldeia Rum, which was born in a quaint little village in Goa. The rum gets its name from Segredo Aldeia village that was once known for its passion for the making of rum. There are two editions to this rum – white rum and cafe rum which are made from a blend of cane and jaggery. For those who enjoy a smooth and creamy flavor of rum, the white rum is the best choice as it’s crafted from aged and unaged rums. The cafe rum features dark roasted coffee beans that are picked from the plantations of South India.
ABV: 42.8%
Also read: Goa’s Best Kept Secret – The Segredo Aldeia
Summing Up
When it comes to spirits, there are tons of options like beer, vodka, whiskey, gin and many more to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a new spirit to try or need to flaunt your bar collection with the latest spirits to your friends, there have been many new launches in the beverage industry in recent years. These were 15 of the best spirits of 2022 that you must try for your next party or celebration.
FAQs
What Is The Most Popular Alcohol In India?
One of the most popular and easily accessible alcohols in India is desi daru which is crafted from the derivative of sugarcane called molasses. The reason for this alcohol being so popular is that it’s locally produced and has a relatively cheap price.
Which Whisky Is Best In India?
Here are some of the best whiskeys in India:
- Amrut Single Malt Whisky
- Paul John Mithuna
- McDowell’s Signature Whisky
- Blenders Pride Reserve Collection Whisky
- Royal Stag Barrel Select Whisky
Which Alcohol Is Most Popular?
When it comes to alcohol, the most preferred and popular beverage is beer. Just so you know, beer is also considered to be the most consumed drink globally after water and tea.
What Are The Smoothest Spirits?
If you like to enjoy your drinks neat, you should definitely try out whiskey, mezcal, gin, and tequila. They are some of the smoothest spirits to try without mixing anything else.
What Type Of Spirit Is Most Popular?
Among all of the spirits out there, vodka is the most popular one globally.
What Is The Best Tasting Spirit?
If you really enjoy the taste of alcohol, some of the best tasting spirits that you must try out are,
- Paul John Christmas Edition 2021
- Mithuna By Paul John
- Maka Zai Rum
- Paul John Ximenez Single Malt Whisky
- No Sleep Greater Than Gin
Which Spirit Is Easiest To Drink?
Some experts suggest that clear liquors have low sugar contents and calories. This makes such spirits easy for your body to digest. So spirits like vodka, gin and tequila are easiest to drink, additionally, you can make some cocktails out of these spirits and enjoy them differently each time.
